When the Dust Settles

*The new book from Lucy Easthope: Come What May: Life-Changing Lessons for Coping with Crisis is coming May 2025 - available to pre-order now!*

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK

A TELEGRAPH AND NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR

"Gripping... filled with compassion." Sunday Times

"An antidote to despair" Daily Mirror

"Enthralling" Observer

"Exemplary" New Statesman

When a plane crashes, a bomb explodes, a city floods or a pandemic begins, Lucy Easthope's phone starts to ring.

Lucy is a world-leading authority on recovering from disaster. She holds governments to account, supports survivors and helps communities to rebuild. She has been at the centre of the most seismic events of the last few decades, advising on everything from the 2004 tsunami and the 7/7 bombings to the Grenfell fire and the war in Ukraine. Lucy's job is to pick up the pieces and get us ready for what comes next.

Lucy takes us behind the police tape to scenes of chaos, and into government briefing rooms where confusion can reign. She also looks back at the many losses and loves of her life and career, and tells us how we can all build back after disaster.

When the Dust Settles lifts us up, showing that humanity, hope and humour can - and must - be found on the darkest days.

"Remarkable... hopeful and uplifting." Mail on Sunday

"A marvellous book" Rev Richard Coles