An inspirational memoir from an extraordinary woman. The Heat of the Moment does for the fire service what Adam Kay’s This Is Going to Hurt did for the NHS. A humbling, jaw-dropping read which redefines what is possible in life

Gripping, heart-stopping and profoundly reassuring. Thank heavens for such courage.

A vivid reminder of the horrors that firefighters face daily - and the debt of gratitude society owes them . . . This book challenges assumptions about who firefighters are, and about what women can do.

[One of] the wonder women of our emergency services

An immersive insight into a job which few of us could do, by a woman whose award-winning research into decision-making in the emergency services has transformed policy at a global level.

An inspirational woman

Inspirational . . . a powerhouse

The Heat of the Moment places the reader at the centre of life-or-death situations . . . and sets out a mini-charter for the sorts of decisions most of hope we shall never have to make, such as how to save first, and when instinct should override procedure.

Homeless as a teenager, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton has spent the last 18 years dealing with everything from fires to car crashes and terrorist attacks. Who better to write a book about life-or-death situations?

A riveting account of the events the author has experienced, endured and overcome with courage, commitment and determination. This compelling book tracks her life, work and ambition in equal measure . . . This book presents a wonderful insight into the human side of firefighting and the decision-making of a talented and professional female fire officer.

Brilliant! It describes with sparkling emotional intelligence everything that is real about decision-making. Full of fire, passion, science and judgement, truly a giant contribution to research'

Where the book really shines is in its ability to seamlessly weave together the three strands: personal life, firefighting life and her incredible work into decision-making . . . Fascinating.

The Heat of the Moment provides a unique personal insight into the world of the firefighter. The author’s experiences are presented in a frank and revealing way, and combined with insights from her broad understanding of academic psychology. The result is an inspirational and illuminating read.

A compelling book from start to finish. Cohen-Hatton uses her own experiences as a firefighter to expose the psychology behind her decisions and emotions. A great read and accessible to all.

A compelling and exciting read. A great insight into decision-making on the front line of firefighting . . . Immersive stories, tension and fantastic lessons to take away. I loved it!

One of the UK's most senior firefighters share heart-in-the-mouth stories from her 18 years in the emergency services, taking us to the very heat of battle; from scenes of devastation and crisis, to the quieter moments when these unassuming heroes question both themselves and the decisions they are forced to make. As we all as being extraordinarily courageous, Cohen-Hatton has an impressive professional track record: her award winning research into decision-making in the emergency services has transformed policy at a global level.

A fascinating read

This book is incredible!

WOW! I just could not put it down! . . . It will enlighten people about the human aspects of firefighting, the challenges of decision-making under pressure and the way in which university research has helped to understand and improve the way leaders approach critical decisions. It’s certainly made me think about how I can use the principles discussed to help people in a variety of leadership positions.

This book will change the way you think. Forever.

As well as being a fire-fighter, she’s a fire-thinker, and that’s what makes this book stand out.

An inspiring, vivid account of the dangerous world of firefighting

Mesmerising…at times, bitingly funny… [The Shapeless Unease is] an engrossing portrait of the fragility of identity and coherency in the grip of insomnia. I hadn’t read Harvey before this, but her facility with language here captivated me and I’ll be seeking out her novels next.

Urgent and full of arresting images and insights.

[The Shapeless Unease] is littered with sharp insights expressed in exquisitely lucid prose but is as amorphous as its title suggests.

It’s a claustrophobic, enlightening, moving, existential treatise on sleep, insomnia and death. And it’s funny, too.

I wish I had saved The Shapeless Unease to read in isolation but Samantha Harvey’s book about insomnia, time, death and so many unknowable things is a blessing to have in lonely times. It is a profound and stunning book but funny, too.

A beautiful, jagged little book about insomnia and so many unknowable things: life and death, Buddhism, and how language alters our thinking. But I was most struck by its form and structure.

[Samantha Harvey's] cerebral, startlingly clear account of somehow pulling through [from insomnia] carries an electric charge and meditates on not only the mystery of sleep but also writing, swimming and dreams.

[The Shapeless Unease] is beautifully crafted and its achievement makes itself more apparent on a second reading.

A masterpiece, so good I can hardly breathe. I'm completely floored by it.

This book seems appropriately messy-haired and wild-eyed... Anyone who has lain awake the night before a big test will recognize such manic flourishes. Harvey captures the 4 a.m. bloom of magical thinking; stories proliferate within stories... To read Harvey is to grow spoiled on gorgeous phrases.