{"product_id":"managing-the-unthinkable-crisis-preparation-and-response-for-campus","title":"Managing the Unthinkable: Crisis Preparation and Response for Campus","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Managing the Unthinkable, campus leaders and senior administrators will find a practical, experience-driven guide to preparing for and responding to acute incidents on campus. The book's strongest asset is its focus on decision points that affect lives, institutional reputation, and community trust, drawn from authors who have worked at presidential and senior leadership levels. For anyone responsible for crisis planning, communications, or governance, this review recommends the book for its clear framing of risks and readiness strategies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal-world perspective:\u003c\/strong\u003e Authors draw on university presidencies and senior leadership counseling to show how decisions play out in crises.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRisk management emphasis:\u003c\/strong\u003e The text explains why readiness and risk assessment are central to protecting people and institutional reputation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommunication focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Practical discussion of media and community messaging helps leaders act under intense scrutiny.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecision-oriented guidance:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book highlights concrete decision points and their likely consequences, aiding faster, clearer responses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoard and presidential relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Guidance is tailored to what presidents and boards must know to reduce personal and institutional exposure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book is best suited for college and university presidents, senior administrators, campus safety directors, and board members who need a strategic framework for crisis preparation and response. It is also useful for staff who develop emergency operations plans and communication protocols and who benefit from experienced leadership perspectives.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThose seeking detailed technical checklists, legal templates, or incident-level operational manuals may need supplemental materials; this volume is stronger on leadership, reputation, and decision-making than on step-by-step procedural forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear leadership focus that translates risk into actionable priorities for presidents and boards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExperienced authorship provides credibility and real examples of how responses affect outcomes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmphasis on communication and reputation helps institutions prepare for media scrutiny and community needs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eLimited procedural templates or technical checklists, so readers may need additional operational resources.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eManaging the Unthinkable: Crisis Preparation and Response for Campus Leaders\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGretchen M. Bataille, Diana I. Cordova\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCampus crisis preparation and response\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAudience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUniversity presidents, senior administrators, boards\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCore topics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRisk management, readiness, communication, reputation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePerspective\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExperience from presidencies and senior leadership programs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eManaging the Unthinkable is a strong value for campus decision makers who need leadership-centered guidance on crises. Its emphasis on readiness, communication, and the consequences of leadership choices makes it a practical reference to inform planning and governance, though institutions should pair it with operational templates for full implementation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover operational checklists?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book emphasizes leadership and decision-making rather than detailed operational checklists, so supplementing with technical plans is recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho wrote the book and why does that matter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGretchen Bataille and Diana Cordova bring presidential and senior leadership experience, which grounds the guidance in real institutional decision contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this help with media and community communication?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the book specifically addresses communication under scrutiny and how messaging affects reputation and community trust.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gretchen M. Bataille, Diana I. Cordova","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48740963156187,"sku":"1620360713","price":160.9,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61D6VzkGk0L._SL1491.jpg?v=1778936137","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/managing-the-unthinkable-crisis-preparation-and-response-for-campus","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}