Big note : I am not working in nor studying crisis management field or anything related to it, I am just one curious reader who loves to read diverse topics. I picked up this book purely out of curiosity in the hope of finding something interesting or insightful. When I looked at the cover, I was immediately intrigued as it mentions a few big names like Apple and Taylor Swift, got me wondering what kind of crisis they had and how they managed to overcome it. I expected a thorough explanation about the crisis and detailed chronology (or maybe step by step) of the resolution.

Once I saw the table of contents, I was quite surprised that this book discusses 80 cases (that is more than a lot!). First of all, I really appreciate how the formatting is well done, dividing the case background and the lessons learned on how to handle the case into a few blocks with enough spaces that the readers won’t feel suffocated reading paragraphs after paragraphs. However, after reading a few cases, it feels like I’m seeing the same tips over and over again, only wrapped in different sentences according to the case discussed. This continued until the end of the book, that halfway through I decided to fast-read the book, pausing only in a few cases that seemed unique. In some cases, I found it hard to understand what the exact crisis is (for example, just generally mentioned as a mistake in what the CEO said) that finally drove me to skip to the next case instead.

Perhaps the purpose of this book is not to dive deeper into each case, but to catch a short glimpse of what’s the case is about and what can we learn from it. In my personal opinion, I prefer to read just a few notable cases that are unique (not too similar to each other) and have them discussed more comprehensively.

Special thanks to John Murray Press for providing digital copy of this book for me via NetGalley to review. All opinions are honestly my own! :)

The Crisis Casebook: Lessons in Crisis Management from the World’s Leading Brands by Edward Segal – Book Review

Edward Segal’s The Crisis Casebook serves as a practical introduction to crisis management, making it a useful resource for students studying business communications. The book is structured around nearly 100 case studies, each examining a different company, public figure, or recent event. Covering topics as current as the Hawaii wildfires, challenges within the British royal family, and controversies surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Segal’s approach ensures that students engage with up-to-date, real-world examples.

One of the book’s strengths is its accessibility; the case studies clearly outline key lessons in preparation, transparency, and response. However, a notable drawback is the lack of clear organization by crisis type. The cases are presented one after another without strong thematic groupings, which makes it harder to compare similar situations or track patterns across industries.

Despite this structural issue, The Crisis Casebook provides a solid foundation for students new to crisis communication. It introduces essential concepts through real-world applications, making it a relevant and engaging text for business communications courses.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for providing a free digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

As a longtime crisis management/communications professional, I always look for new books about crises and how they are/were handled. Some are better than others, but all bring knowledge to the table. One can always learn something new from another's research or experience. In this case, however, there is much to learn from Edward Segal's "The Crisis Casebook," which is heads and shoulders above most crisis books. Giving real-world examples, this well-researched tome provides students of disaster ample case studies for how to do it right and for how NOT to do it. It is a book that is thoughtful, providing details that will help others avoid making some of the same mistakes that have befallen others while still keeping options open. The author understands that no one can fully prepare for a crisis, but they can be well-armed with the skills needed to navigate its twists and turns. That is what this book does well: provides ample examples of how to make the best of the tools at your disposal while the proverbial poop is hitting the fan.

It is a very well-written, well-researched, and well-documented book. This is one I will keep on my shelf as a reference source for years to come. If you are anyway involved in crisis planning at work or in an organization, this is a must-read.