The Crisis Casebook: Lessons in Crisis Management From the World’s Leading Brands

by Edward Segal

It doesn't matter who you are or what business you're in, you are never far from a crisis.

Edward Segal has profiled over 600 crises in his popular Forbes column since 2020, from those affecting businesses and organisations to global celebrities and royalty. Here he builds that bank of real-life stories, developing the lessons and adding new unseen material, to reveal how global organizations and high-profile individuals have prevented, managed, and recovered from a variety of crisis situations.

According to The Conference Board's C-Suite Outlook 2023, less than half of surveyed corporate executives around the world said they were ready for a pandemic or global health crisis; only 41% are prepared for cybersecurity crises; and only 39% have planned for financial instability. And these are just the tip of the iceberg of crisis triggers with others including recession, extreme climate events, terrorism, lawsuits, accidents, and allegations of sexual abuse.

In The Crisis Casebook, Edward Segal expertly recounts the good, the bad, and the ugly ways companies and people have managed a variety of crisis situations showing you how to avoid crisis management mistakes that could damage your company's reputation, profits, and future - and your career.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2025

About the author

Edward Segal has more than 30 years' experience as a crisis management expert. He managed crisis situations as the CEO of two trade associations; advised and helped organizations survive disasters, scandals, and emergencies, including the arrest and firing of corporate officers; and conducted crisis management and communication training for hundreds of executives and staff. Segal is the former marketing strategies columnist for The Wall Street Journal's StartUpJournal.com and senior media relations consultant for Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide. He has provided expert PR advice and counsel to more than 500 corporations and organizations.

Segal is author of the new book "The Crisis Casebook: Lessons in Crisis Management from The World's Leading Brands," as well as the bestselling and award-winning book, "Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies," and "Whistle-Stop Politics: Campaign Trains and The Reporters Who Covered Them." He hosts the Crisis Management Minute on Apple Podcasts and the Federal News Network. The show is rated the #4 crisis management podcast by FeedSpot. Segal is also a Leadership Strategies Senior Contributor for Forbes.com.

Reviews

[Scott Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many ways, this is a quick read on how to respond to crises. Segal conveniently summarizes key points from his previous book at the beginning and the end of this book. The bulk is alphabetically arranged summaries of recent crises by different organizations starting with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and ending with [Jeff] Zucker of CNN. (Why this was under Z for Zucker and not C for CNN, I don’t know.) With each scenario, the author describes the crisis, the initial reaction, any later reaction and often advice from different crisis professionals in PR, HR, safety, law, etc.

The author makes several key points. One is that an organization’s leadership most often doesn’t have the experience, skills or list of resources to deal with a crisis. They’re not hired because they deal with crises; they’re hired because, more often than not, their previous employment stints had avoided crises. Thus, this book is a handy quick guidebook to get a leadership team on its feet in a situation that could affect an organization’s survival, reputation or ability to grow.

If there’s a fault in this book, it’s the over abundance of real-life situations to absorb. How much overlap is there? What distinguishes this example from all others? In some ways, the author seemed to want to highlight situations he or his friends consulted on; it’s not evident Segal did, but the plethora of scenarios seems indulgent.

The last chapter—the 10 R’s of Crisis Management—may be worth the price of the book. And is a useful guide for anyone creating a crisis handbook or contingency plan, which every organization should have. I once had to wing it with regards to what should be covered in such a plan by reference to several publications. This is a handy single reference.

It’s also helpful for property, casualty, cybersecurity and employment practices insurers to use as a checklist for their clients.

I’m appreciative that the publisher provided an advanced copy to review.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crisis Reveals Leaders For Who They Really Are.

That’s the feeling I had after finishing The Crisis Casebook by Edward Segal.

Crises rarely start with something dramatic. They start because someone stayed mum a bit too long or wasn’t sure if they should escalate. I’ve seen this across different projects and locations, and it’s always the same pattern: once hesitation sets in, the crisis gains traction.

The book also reinforced something I’ve learned over the years. Leaders don’t suddenly rise when things go wrong. They fall back to the habits they practice every day. If the habits are slow decisions, or an ego-led chest thumping "expert", unclear ownership, or avoiding hard conversations, the organisation pays for it.

A slow or ego-driven leader is a risky leader. And when ownership is unclear, everyone naturally assumes the problem belongs to someone else.

Crisis management isn’t a PR exercise. It’s whether your systems hold, whether your people trust you enough to share the truth early, and whether you can stay steady and ready to pivot when things get messy or public.

I’ve been sharpening our internal leadership frameworks with this mindset. This book added perspective on early warning signals, role clarity, and the behaviour leaders need when pressure rises.

Five key takeaways I noted from the book:

1. Early escalation saves organisations more than any PR strategy ever will.

2. Clarity of ownership is the strongest shield in a crisis.

3. Slow decisions cost more than wrong decisions.

4. Leaders fall to the level of their daily habits when pressure hits.

5. Trust inside the organisation determines how fast the truth reaches you.

It’s practical and worth the time. My take: 8.5 out of 10.

#Leadership #CrisisManagement #OperationalExcellence #COOLeadership #LeadingUnderPressure

[Carla Bevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Segal’s The Crisis Casebook is a timely and practical resource for leaders who want to strengthen their ability to respond to complex challenges. Drawing from a wide range of real-world examples across industries, Segal shows how crises, while disruptive and often difficult, can also become turning points for organizational growth, trust-building, and long-term resilience when handled with clarity and strategic communication.

What makes this book especially valuable is its focus on actionable guidance. Rather than relying on abstract theory, Segal provides concrete strategies that professionals at every level can apply in real situations. Whether addressing an internal issue or navigating public scrutiny, his examples reinforce the importance of timely, transparent, and well-crafted communication in shaping both immediate outcomes and future stakeholder relationships.

As a business communication scholar, I appreciate how this book highlights the connection between leadership, message design, and high-stakes decision-making. Segal gives leaders the tools they need to communicate with confidence, maintain trust, and lead with integrity under pressure. The Crisis Casebook offers more than just a guide to managing risk. It helps leaders see communication as a tool for stability, credibility, and even transformation in uncertain times.

This book is an essential read for anyone who wants to lead effectively through crisis while building trust, improving outcomes, and preparing for what comes next.

[Adam‘’s book reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 any way involved in crisis planning at work or in an organization, this is a must-read.

[Lakesha Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up for the ultimate crisis playbook that’s part corporate thriller, part leadership manual! Edward Segal does not just tell stories, he decodes the DNA of organizational survival in a world where one tweet can topple an organization.

‘The Crisis Casebook’ is your backstage pass to the most memorable corporate moments, unpacking how brilliant (and not-so-brilliant) leaders navigate make-or-break situations. It’s like having a front-row seat to the most intense chess match, with insights that will make you rethink everything you know about leadership, resilience, and the razor-thin line between disaster and triumph. This is not just a book, it’s a masterclass in turning potential catastrophes into comeback stories.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Segal's "Crisis Casebook" should be on the desk of anyone involving in leading a business or organization through a crisis. It has credibility because it tells the real stories of real people, companies and brands and how they dealt with controversy. These days, crises are just around the corner for nearly everyone in public life, and when they happen you can't "wing it." You need expert advice, and that's what Segal's book provides. Highly recommend. Jim Kennedy.

[Ed Barks]

Businesses face countless types of crises, some predictable, others not. In The Crisis Casebook, Edward Segal offers his insights and advice into crisis management for scores of catastrophes including product tampering, leadership missteps, fighting disinformation, death of a senior executive, and many more. If you want to get a handle on how to prepare and how to act during your next crisis—as any smart company should—keep The Crisis Casebook handy.

[David Nellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Segal's Crisis Casebook is a deep dive filled with case study examples of what to do and not to do when confronted with one of the many ways "corporate trauma" can afflict your business and its reputation. Segal calls it a "casebook." I call it a handy-dandy pocket guide for learning how to avoid or, if you can't avoid it, efficiently and effectively navigate the various, nasty pitfalls ( e.g., when consumers sue, an employee has had his/her hands in the till, a CEO can't keep his hands to himself or herself, or ... well, you get it) that threatens brands and bottom lines when stuff hits the fan and reputations and revenue are on the line. This book is an easy read - a GOOD read - offering valuable lessons to help you avoid or nimbly respond to corporate crises.