Includes bibliographical references (p. 275-291) and index.

The disappointment of defeat or the defeat of disappointment -- Tragedies, failures, and setbacks--the nature of adversity -- Societal barriers to recovery -- Corporate cultures as barriers to recovery -- Departure causes as barriers to recovery -- Psychological stresses as barriers to recovery -- Fight, not flight--facing up to the issue -- Recruiting others into battle--social networks and collateral damage -- Rebuilding heroic stature -- Proving your mettle -- Rediscovering heroic mission -- Creating triumph from tragedy--lessons learned from legends and losers.

'Sonnenfeld and Ward show how to rise Phoenix-like from the ashes. Their account of the psychological and behavioural foundations of that important quality - resilience - is important reading for everyone who will ever face a reversal of fortune' - Jeffrey Pfeffer, Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Is it possible to rescue your career and restore your reputation after a major professional setback? In an age rife with press accounts of disgraced CEOs, politicians, and celebrities - as well as courageous but beleaguered whistleblowers and victims of rivals or envious colleagues and bosses - this question has grown more important than ever. In Firing Back, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Andrew Ward answer the question with a resounding 'Yes'. They go on to lay out a practical and an important five-step process for actually recovering from setbacks. Following these steps will help guide you through the difficult circumstances, rebuild your reputation, and chart a new future. The authors also explore strategies for surmounting common barriers to career recovery, including tricky corporate cultures and psychological stresses. Anchored in decades of research and scholarly studies across multiple fields, this book is packed with engrossing stories and first-hand accounts from humbled but restored CEOs and executives from firms as diverse as General Electric, The Home Depot, Morgan Stanley, Apple, Staples, and Hewlett-Packard.