While working on American Circumcision, I was concerned that people who opposed my work might publicly attack me in some way, so I read Glass Jaw: A Manifesto for Defending Fragile Reputations in an Age of Instant Scandal by Eric Dezenhall. Dezenhall runs a crisis management firm. When big celebrities and major brands land themselves in a scandal, Dezenhall’s company is who they call. The book explores scandal - why it happens, how to prevent it, and what to do if it happens to you.

The biggest takeaway I got from this book is a single question you should always ask when public controversy or crisis arises: