Systematically explores and measures disaster resilience across the Gulf Coast to gain a better understanding of how resilience in concept is translated into disaster management practices, particularly on the local government level. "Ashley D. Ross has done those of us who think resilience has meaning in disaster recovery a great favor. This book establishes the definition of resilience in a nuance and important way. No longer are we left with a rudimentary discussion of resilience. Ross has attached methodological heft to the meaning of resilience. Going forward, we can discern just what can be termed a resilient response to disaster and what is not."-Roland V. Anglin, Rutgers University "Ashley D. Ross is a rising star among the next generation of scholars who study natural hazards and disasters. Her book represents an important contribution to the field, effectively filling a niche in how emergency managers and elected officials perceive their own community's disaster resilience relative to an empirical assessment of local resilience in these same jurisdictions. Her findings are particularly relevant to our emerging understanding of this often misunderstood concept, while providing key insights into how we can improve our national policy in order to better assist local communities achieve this still elusive aim."-Gavin Smith, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & Executive Director, Department of Homeland Security Coastal Hazards Center of Excellence