The history of presidential dealings with disasters shows that whatever their ideology; presidents need to be prepared to deal with unexpected crises. In recent years; the expectations have grown as the disasters seem to appear to be coming more frequently. Since 2001; numerous unpredictable crises; including terror attacks; massive storms; and an economic collapse; have shaken Americans to their core. It seems as if technology; for all of its beneficences; also provides mankind with increasingly powerful ways to wreak destruction; including nuclear explosions; bioterror attacks; and cyber-attacks. In addition; instantaneous and incessant communications technologies send us word of disasters taking place anywhere in the nation far more rapidly; giving disasters an immediacy that some may have lacked in the past. In 21st century America; the eyes of the American people look to the president to lead the response to whatever disasters happen to strike. President Obama and his team learned this and were taken aback by the sheer number of crises that a president needed to deal with; including swine flu; BP’s Macondo oil spill; and the Somali pirates who attacked an American ship. Many of these did not quite reach disaster status; but Obama’s reaction to the constant stream of crises was both revealing and unnerving: “Who thought we were going to have to deal with pirates?â€In Shall We Wake the President?; Tevi Troy; a presidential historian and former senior White House aide and deputy secretary of the Department of Health Human Services; looks at the evolving role of the president in dealing with disasters; and looks at how our presidents have handled disasters throughout our history. He also looks at the likelihood of similar disasters befalling modern America; and details how smart policies today can help us avoid future crises; or can best react to them should they occur. In addition; he provides information on what individuals can do to prepare for disasters. This book includes sections on how American presidents have dealt with a variety of disasters; including health crises; terror attacks; economic upheaval; bioterror and cyber-attacks; natural disasters; and civil breakdown. In doing so; Shall We Wake the President? will provide lessons from presidents of the past that will inform policy strategies for presidents of the future.
#3977864 in Books Cpl John Tomikel 2013-05-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .56 x 6.00l; .65 #File Name: 1484848829246 pagesDiary of A U S Soldier in Germany
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Delightful Army ReadBy Sandra C. DavisVery entertaining diary of a soldier in Germany in 1952-1954. He describes places and people with a few telling words; and he juxtaposes situations which shed light on each other in an understated style. We glimpse insights in just a few words. His details of army life helped put the reader in the action. Tom appreciates art and literature and the fellow soldiers and native Germans he met and sought out. He learned a lot in the army; in the countries he visited and the fellow soldiers he lived with. Rewarding read for anyone who wants to experience what it was like to be a U.S. soldier in the German occupation. Delightful read.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Living HistoryBy CygnusThe author kept a diary from the day he sailed to Europe until the day he sailed back to the states. He was stationed in Weisbaden; Germany from 1952 until 1954; seven years after the official end of World War II. This is an historical document as well as a personal diary of the time. The diary discuses; not only personal duties; but the events going on around Germany. The soldier's wife joins him halfway through the tour of duty and they rent a room from a German couple. This gives them access to the feelings and the pulse of the citizens. This is an adventure; as well as an historical document. It is worth the effort it takes to read it.
