to bob1vt
He believes that there is a combination of circuit breakers that can be pulled to shut down enough computers to force Direct Law. He also thinks there is a document in the cockpit that describes how to do this, and given a few minutes, he could make it happen
It is no circuit breaker, but you need to push three of five buttons on the overhead panel for the Flight Control Computers (2 of 3 prims and one of 2 secs).
As you rightfully point out: A task not suitable for sudden extreme emergency situations.
Boeings FBW can be overridden (some sort of direct law) by applying force on the yoke. The Primary Flight Computer will then be bypassed and the signal directly sent to the Actuator Computers.
This is well suited for such situations and is one of the main criticism i voiced, mainly by asking for a "red" or "hot" button on the Airbus-stick to get to Direct Law in adequate time.
to Machinbird
If a properly experienced pilot was hand flying in direct law, at the time of the problem, alert and hooked up, would he stand a better chance of maintaining or re-gaining control than the electronics (purposely broad) ?
Most certainly. Today most training departments and the manufacturers suggest in extreme upsets to initially steer between 0 and 2 degrees nose up and some 80% of N1.
This is however only possible
IF the system allows the pilot to do so.
The main difference between the two philosophies is that Airbus will only do give you this full authority (when the protections feel otherwise) when in Direct Law. This state is however rarely automatically achieved when in extreme upsets and to achieve it: See above.