Book excerpt: In the wake of 9/11, effective management of public health departments has become vitally important, as these organizations and agencies will be in the front line of any bioterror or chemical attack. Written by practitioners for other practitioners and students who want to pursue public health careers, this book provides a practical, non-theoretical approach useful for the hands-on management of these complex organizations and their daily operations. With accessible writing and many real life applications, this concise new volume serves departments at all levels--federal, state, city and county.