Description

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK
CHOSEN AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE TELEGRAPH AND THE NEW STATESMAN

“A marvellous book” Rev Richard Coles
“Gripping… filled with compassion.” Sunday Times
“Remarkable… hopeful and uplifting.” Mail on Sunday
“An antidote to despair” Daily Mirror
“Enthralling… vivid and humane” 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.

Publisher Review

A book of horror and hope, written with rare humanity. -- John Sutherland, bestselling author of BLUE and CROSSING THE LINE A riveting no-nonsense memoir that pulls back the curtains on your worst fears and shows you that someone, somewhere, will always truly care. -- Jenny Colgan Outstanding... a graphic but deeply humane account of what drew her to take on such work, and how she steels herself to tackle the worst of human scenarios. * The Bookseller *