both personal and global. From pandemic panic to moral outrage in the wake of events like 9/11 and George Floyd’s murder, Ferguson dissects the psychological mechanisms that drive poor decision-making during crises. His case studies, including the infamous toilet paper hoarding of 2020 and wildfire mismanagement, are engaging and reveal unsettling truths about human behavior under stress.

Ferguson’s writing is accessible, not too academic. His argument that groupthink, fear-driven conformity, and cognitive biases exacerbate disasters is persuasive, and his concluding strategies for better crisis management are pragmatic. However, the book occasionally falters in depth—particularly when addressing systemic issues like racism, where Ferguson’s analysis feels surface-level, attempting a centrist perspective that may frustrate readers seeking more nuanced takes.

While Catastrophe! doesn’t fully deliver on its subtitle’s promise of explaining *why* good people worsen bad situations (it’s stronger on *how*), it’s still a worthwhile read for anyone interested in mass psychology. Just don’t expect groundbreaking revelations—this is more of a solid synthesis of known behavioral science applied to modern calamities.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.