Acts of God and Man - Columbia Business School Publishing by Michael Powers Hardcover

About the Book

Much has been written about the ups and downs of financial markets, from the lure of prosperity to the despair of crises. Yet a more fundamental and pernicious source of uncertainty exists in today's world: the traditional "insurance" risks of earthquakes, storms, terrorist attacks, and other disasters. Insightfully exploring these "acts of God and man," Michael R. Powers guides readers through the current methods available for identifying and measuring such risks, financing their consequences, and forecasting their future behavior within the limits of science. He concludes with an interdisciplinary investigation into the nature of uncertainty, incorporating ideas from physics, philosophy, and game theory to assess science's limitations in predicting the ramifications of risk.

Book Synopsis

Much has been written about the ups and downs of financial markets, from the lure of prosperity to the despair of crises. Yet a more fundamental and pernicious source of uncertainty exists in today's world: the traditional "insurance" risks of earthquakes, storms, terrorist attacks, and other disasters. Insightfully exploring these "acts of God and man," Michael R. Powers guides readers through the methods available for identifying and measuring such risks, financing their consequences, and forecasting their future behavior within the limits of science.

A distinctive characteristic of earthquakes, hurricanes, bombings, and other insurance risks is that they impact the values of stocks, bonds, commodities, and other market-based financial products, while remaining largely unaffected by or "aloof" from the behavior of markets. Quantifying such risks given limited data is difficult yet crucial for achieving the financing objectives of insurance. Powers begins with a discussion of how risk impacts our lives, health, and possessions and proceeds to introduce the statistical techniques necessary for analyzing these uncertainties. He then considers the experience of risk from the perspectives of both policyholders and insurance companies, and compares their respective responses.

The risks inherent in the private insurance industry lead naturally to a discussion of the government's role as both market regulator and potential "insurer of last resort." Following a thoughtful and balanced analysis of these issues, Powers concludes with an interdisciplinary investigation into the nature of uncertainty, incorporating ideas from physics, philosophy, and game theory to assess science's limitations in predicting the ramifications of risk.

Review Quotes

An interesting and educational look at risk and insurance, and Powers's provocative findings provide an idiosyncratic, compelling perspective worth reading.--James K. Hammitt, Harvard University and Toulouse School of Economics, and coeditor of "The Reality of Precaution: Comparing Risk Regulation in the Unites States and Europe"

It is a pleasure to write a foreword for this book of both scholarship and humor. It factors in the various concepts of risk, but provides both theory and practical guidance on those 'aloof risks' suitable for insurance. Michael R. Powers manages to create a text for students of insurance while raising the deep philosophical problems in the formulation and application of probability theory.--From the Foreword by Martin Shubik, professor emeritus, Yale University, and author of "The Theory of Money and Financial Institutions"

Powers entices readers with an entertaining and engaging narrative, and writes with such clarity and skill that readers almost won't notice the strides he makes in complex issues and dense concepts. Particularly given all the turgid materials on risk and insurance, "Acts of God and Man" is a breath of fresh air and an impressive achievement.--Michael Morrissey, president and CEO, International Insurance Society

Powers has a unique talent for explaining complex matters in a simple way, and his book lays out the fundamental insurance and risk concepts that are essential for success in today's chaotic environment. Even better, "Acts of God and Man" is enjoyable and a fun read--rare qualities in risk and insurance literature.--Denis Kessler, Chairman and CEO, SCOR Group

Michael Powers has a unique talent for explaining complex matters in a simple way, and his book lays out the fundamental insurance and risks concepts that are essential for success in today's chaotic environment. Even better, "Acts of God and Man, Ruminations on Risk and Insurance" is enjoyable and fun reading--a rare quality in risk and insurance literature.--Denis Kessler, Chairman and CEO, SCOR Group

In Acts of God and Man, Powers takes an interesting and educational look at risk and insurance. This provocative book provides an idiosyncratic perspective that is compelling and worth reading.--James K. Hammitt, Harvard University and Toulouse School of Economics

About the Author

Michael R. Powers is the Zurich Group Professor of Risk Mathematics at Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management. He currently leads an interdisciplinary research team exploring the impact of cultural attitudes on risk finance. Prior to joining Tsinghua, he was professor of risk management and insurance at Temple University's Fox School of Business.