Crash Landing. The Inside Story Of How The World’s Biggest Companies Survived An Economy On The Brink

In the dawn of March 2020, as the Dow Jones approached the 30,000 mark, the globe’s leading corporations were experiencing an economic zenith that had lasted over a decade. Yet, by month’s end, the landscape had dramatically shifted — millions were jobless, storied companies clamored for financial rescue, and a multitude of small enterprises faced precipitous decline. The once-valued prowess of sleek consulting squads and elite networks diminished overnight, leaving corporate executives to navigate through unprecedented turmoil, abandoning long-held strategies in favor of spontaneous decisions with the hope of survival.

In “Crash Landing,” acclaimed business reporter Liz Hoffman chronicles how the pandemic ignited an economic inferno, highlighting pre-existing vulnerabilities within the global economy.

Drawing from unparalleled insights into some of the most renowned and influential firms worldwide, Hoffman delivers a compelling narrative of this extraordinary epoch in contemporary economic history. She presents a vivid portrayal of how industry titans, including AirBnB’s Brian Chesky, caught off-guard by the pandemic during a crucial IPO; American Airlines’s Doug Parker, who oscillated between lobbying efforts and executive offices for a substantial bailout; and Ford’s Jim Hackett, who saw his production lines pivot from automobiles to life-saving ventilators, confronted the economic maelstrom.

“Crash Landing” delves deep into the panic, determination, and high-stakes risks characterizing the economy under siege by the pandemic. It also scrutinizes the broader ramifications for the future of employment, corporate governance, and the very essence of capitalism, posing the critical question: Will the lessons of this unparalleled period herald a new era of resilience, or will they be dismissed as yet another expensive oversight to be erased from memory?