Triumph over Tragedy: September 11 and the Rebirth of a Business

by John Duffy, Mary S. Schaeffer

A true story of rebuilding and remembrance in the wake of tragedy
The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center devastated investment banking and brokerage firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (KBW) in every way possible. KBW's headquarters were located on the eighty-eighth and eighty-ninth floors of 2 World Trade Center and as a result of the attacks, the company lost one-third of its staff. The enormity of KBW's plight raises the question about how much a single company can lose and still conjure the strength and resources to regenerate itself. Triumph over Tragedy is the story of a group of people with indomitable spirit who literally fought their way out of the collapsing building to revive their company, support each other, and care for the victims' families. This inspirational book captures the experiences of KBW's survivors, including that of author and KBW CEO John Duffy who lost his son, Christopher, and longtime partner, co-CEO and Chairman Joseph Berry. Triumph over Tragedy introduces readers to the individuals behind the news stories: those representing a nation of people and businesses struggling to cope. This book also provides valuable lessons on rebuilding, which are reflected in the personal stories told by the KBW staff and the choices made at KBW regarding leadership, support for the families of those missing or dead, and methods for reestablishing the business.

228 pages, Hardcover

First published June 11, 2002

About the author

John Duffy was a historian of medicine and public health. The author of 11 books and editor of two others, he taught the history of medicine and public health at Tulane, Louisiana State University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Louisville, Rice University, and
the University of Maryland. He served as president of the American Association for the History of Medicine and the Washington Society for the History of Medicine, interim editor of American Historical Review and a member of the executive council of the Southern Historical Association.

Reviews

[Jordan Wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good. Brought up so many things about recovering after the attack that I never even considered.

[Nancy Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written soon after 9/11, this book which I picked up on the 25 cent shelf at the library and have had for quite a while, actually mentions Mary Lou Hague from Parkersburg (WV); her family well known there in my hometown. I was not aware she worked at Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, Inc. Valuable read.

[Caitlin Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars even though I don't think I have ever been able to read it