Volatile Places: A Sociology of Communities and Environmental Controversies is a thoughtful guide to the spirited
public controversies that inevitably occur when environments and human communities collide. The movie An Inconvenient
Truth based on the environmental activism of Al Gore and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina are specifically
highlighted. Authors Valerie Gunter and Steve Kroll-Smith begin with a simple observation and offer a provocative
case study approach to the investigation of community and environmental controversies.
Key Features:
Compels students with personal narrative: Co-author Valerie Gunter, who was teaching at the University of New
Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck, gives her personal standpoint of this tragedy.
Creates a dramatic story around the controversy: Each case study illustrates a local environmental conflict
and is written to capture students' attention.
Provides a unique way to view environmental conflicts: The book illustrates the importance of each perspective
and local knowledge when making decisions about the environment.
Makes connections with previous chapters: The chapters are integrated to create a strong sense for the multifaceted
approach to the study of community and environmental controversies.
Includes portfolios in each chapter as well as concept and theory boxes: Students are inspired to engage in
spirited thinking, original research, and action.