Customer Rating:  
Summary: Useful introduction to the many facets of homeland security
Comment: This is one of the first generation texts on homeland security. As such, it has a somewhat ad hoc feel to it, as though these (and other) authors are feeling out just what a text on homeland security is all about. The purpose of the book is described on page xiv: "The intent of this book is to provide a primer on homeland security for emergency managers, students of emergency management, and for the countless public and private sector individuals who find themselves suddenly thrust into the ever-expanding domain of homeland security."
The scope of the book is wide, as it covers a lot of territory. One necessary consequence of this is that coverage of individual topics can be a bit thin. On the other hand, the breadth of coverage is itself a virtue. One must trade off a bit of depth for breadth.
The book begins with a discussion of an historic overview of terrorist threats. As such, it does "set the table" for the rest of the book. However, there is actually very little on terrorists, their tactics, etc. Thus, the chapter seems to be written in something of a contextual vacuum. At some point in the volume, there should probably be a chapter on what we know about terrorists.
The book also explores the statutory and organizational infrastructure for homeland security. The resulting chapters are serviceable. Chapters proceed with coverage of safety and security; mitigation, prevention, and preparedness; response and recovery; communications; technology. The final chapter is forward looking, exploring the future of homeland security; it also considers the lessons learned from the reorganization of FEMA under the Department of Homeland Security.
Thus, while there is a "generic" sense to this book, it covers a great deal of territory and provides a broad-based introduction to the subject of homeland security. As such, a useful volume.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Start
Comment: I am a former Army intelligence officer and I think that this was a good first cut at the topic. I was enrolled in a Homeland Security class that used this text. We studied the system and response of DHS and then the following week Katrina hit followed by Rita. What should have happened and what actually happened leave much to be fixed. The description of terrorism was so lacking that the instructor allowed me to teach the class. The information on chemical and biological agents looked like it came out of a Hazmat class manual. To be a better book it needs to be updated and revised. FEMA has free online classes which the authors should consider in their update. This book was great as no other book attempted to put together the area of homeland security under the new DHS.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Professor
Comment: This is an excellent book talking about the policies, organization, and functions of the Department of Homeland Security. The author's provide an historical overview of the terrorist threat which is concise and highlights the September 11 timeline. The life cycle of emergency managment is presented by introducing several case studies which provide incite into failures of preparedness and response to terrorist incidents worldwide. The importance of communications and technology is discussed to help prevent and deter terrorism in security organizations. It is a book that everyone in security management should read.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The dynamic that is Homeland Security
Comment: Introduction to Homeland Security provides a comprehensive view of the dynamics of homeland security in the United States from the view of experienced emergency management facilitators. This is accomplished by providing a historical overview of the terrorist threat which culminates with the September 11th terrorist attacks and thereafter the various legislative, executive orders and organizational actions which lead to the largest re-organization of the federal government in recent history which results in the formation and creation of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). An in-depth discussion and view of the pre-Katrina DHS are provided with applicable questions regarding the functionality and capabilities of this new department. Homeland security hazards are discussed with emphasis also placed on the safety and security of various aspects of the infrastructure of our society. The text also discusses the addition of prevention to the comprehensive emergency management life cycle of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The book concludes with a discussion of the importance of effective communications with special emphasis placed on risk communications; the various types of technology being employed and various technology players and their activities; and, provides a discussion of the future of homeland security.
This book is especially beneficial in pointing out, through probing questions, that the federal government and bureaucracy thereof, both legislative and executive, cannot remember and/or don't listen to the lessons learned of the past, which ensures that we will be repeating them again, to the suffering and detriment of our citizens. The authors of this text were already asking questions regarding the security of our homeland in all regards, to which the answers have been so effectively pointed out through the Hurricane Katrina response and recovery failures of the DHS. For an understanding of the dynamic that is homeland security, and the core answer to what must be done to secure our homeland this book is a must read.
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