Constructing Crisis
Leaders, Crises and Claims of Urgency

'At last, a thoughtful, critical and contemporary review of the nature of crisis - in an alleged time of crisis. Spector provides a radical lens on an important phenomenon that we should all read, if we really want to understand the contemporary world.' Keith Grint, University of Warwick

'This masterfully composed book sheds new light on the dangers of looking at the processes of governing and organizing through the lens of crisis claimed by an untamed executive power. With his profound historical consciousness and focused critical reflexivity, Spector reveals to us the dark underbelly of executive leadership claiming crisis.' Milorad Novicevic, University of Mississippi

'In this timely and lively book, Spector takes on the 'peek-a-boo' notion that every new and unexpected event is a crisis. He argues that crises are claims made by leaders, which in today's post-truth world, we need to verify to prevent them from using fear to accumulate power.' Joanne B. Ciulla, Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick

'Rich in crisis theory, Constructing Crisis is an exceptional, unique, and even profound book … Artfully constructed, Constructing Crisis is must reading for those who study or practice leadership.' J. B. Kashner, Choice

'… this book will be of great interest to social constructionist scholars and scholars sympathetic to a sociology of knowledge framework. Academics who specialize in crisis may find the conceptual approach refreshing, and the book is written with such engaging and vivid examples that its appeal is likely to extend well beyond the ivory tower.' Michael Adorjan, International Sociology