Before I read by Lucy Easthope, I hadn’t even realised disaster recovery was a discipline – the aftermath of a tragedy seems too raw to be an object of study. I stand corrected, thanks to her compassionate book.
Over the past 20 years, Easthope, a professor of risk and hazard at Durham University, UK, has been involved with UK disasters (or ones involving its citizens): from terrorism to the Fukushima meltdown and the covid-19 pandemic (the UK’s covid memorial wall is shown above). She details mistakes and triumphs, and how we can do better. Essential reading.
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I am also enjoying (out in May) by John Marrs, who has perfected a light sci-fi genre – think Black Mirror meets EastEnders. His books are set in a near-future UK, where DNA swabs reveal our perfect partners and driverless cars can be hijacked. This latest sees couples who can’t afford children raising virtual ones in a reality TV show. Slightly ludicrous, but fun.
Jacob Aron
News editor
London