Triumph Over Tragedy: September 11 and the Rebirth of a Business [Hardcover]

John Duffy (Author), Mary S. Schaeffer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 2002

A true story of rebuilding and remembrance in the wake of tragedy
The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center devastated investment banking and brokerage firm Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (KBW) in every way possible. KBW's headquarters were located on the eighty-eighth and eighty-ninth floors of 2 World Trade Center and as a result of the attacks, the company lost one-third of its staff. The enormity of KBW's plight raises the question about how much a single company can lose and still conjure the strength and resources to regenerate itself. Triumph over Tragedy is the story of a group of people with indomitable spirit who literally fought their way out of the collapsing building to revive their company, support each other, and care for the victims' families. This inspirational book captures the experiences of KBW's survivors, including that of author and KBW CEO John Duffy who lost his son, Christopher, and longtime partner, co-CEO and Chairman Joseph Berry. Triumph over Tragedy introduces readers to the individuals behind the news stories: those representing a nation of people and businesses struggling to cope. This book also provides valuable lessons on rebuilding, which are reflected in the personal stories told by the KBW staff and the choices made at KBW regarding leadership, support for the families of those missing or dead, and methods for reestablishing the business.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Triumph Over Tragedy is another valuable document preserving a record of Sept. 11, telling the story of rebuilding a business." (USA Today, September 16, 2002)

From the Inside Flap

How much human and financial loss can one company endure and still muster the strength and the resources to rebuild itself? The September 11 terrorist attacks pushed many companies beyond what appeared to be the brink of ruin. One of the hardest hit was the investment banking firm of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., who was headquartered on the 88th and 89th floors in Tower Two of the World Trade Center. KBW lost one-third of its staff, including its chairman and co-CEO, five of its nine board members, and its most prominent financial analysts. In addition to this devastating loss of life, the company lost its headquarters, along with every scrap of paper documentation that was kept there-and yet the survivors did not give up.

Triumph Over Tragedy tells the poignant and inspiring story of KBW's refusal to succumb to the ravages of terrorism. It introduces a remarkable group of women and men who, having literally fought their way out of a collapsing tower, committed themselves to rebuilding their company, supporting each other, and caring for the families of their fallen coworkers. It also explains how, stunningly, after September 11, the company managed not only to reorganize and relocate its people in various temporary quarters, but to close nine M&A deals begun earlier in the year.

In this book, you'll meet John Duffy, the determined CEO who, having lost both his son and his longtime business partner, found the strength to lead the surviving staff in their dramatic recovery effort. He introduces numerous employees whose contributions to the recovery went far beyond the call of duty, even as they contended with their own grief and looked for ways to comfort the families of those who died. Firsthand accounts from dozens of staff members at all levels describe both the horrible events of September 11 and the hard work of rebuilding that followed.

This unforgettable account of KBW's struggle is instructive as well as moving. It reconstructs decision-making processes regarding leadership, support for grieving families, methods for reestablishing the business, and, in the midst of all this, serving clients. Triumph Over Tragedy tells a compelling story that redefines the term "disaster recovery" and confirms the belief that a company is only as good as its employees.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (August 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471244384
• ISBN-13: 978-0471244387
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiration for All, March 17, 2007

By 

John Russo (Landgrove, Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Triumph Over Tragedy: September 11 and the Rebirth of a Business (Hardcover)

John Duffy's Triumph Over Tragedy documents the most painful day in American history. He shares his suffering from not only the loss of his Wall Street firm, but the loss of his son on 911. John is a natural born leader and an inspiration for all. Since the tragedy his firm, KBW, has once again become a powerhouse focusing on Wall Street's Financial Services Industry. Readers will walk away thanking John for sharing such an incredible and uplifting story.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Triumph Over Tragedy, October 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Triumph Over Tragedy: September 11 and the Rebirth of a Business (Hardcover)

The book not only documents the terrible events of that tragic day but provides a balanced historical prospective of the firm's philosophy and a description of the business itself that helps to understand how the firm has been able to triumpth over the tragedy. It is a particularly timely book in these times of great public mistrust of corporate culture.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, On or Off Wall Street, September 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Triumph Over Tragedy: September 11 and the Rebirth of a Business (Hardcover)

The title explains it best. Reading this book will give anyone the drive and inspiration to move forward through even the worst of circumstances. Although the loss of nearly 70 employees and the death of fathers and sons may have brought this boutique firm to its knees, the entire office fought back to secure even a stronger position in the investment banking world. There have been thousands of stories that have come from the disaster of September 11, none have been told as well as this one.