We came to Swaziland with
our Kindles loaded with a large variety of reading: classics or books
we've always wanted to read, best sellers, escapism, books about or
by authors from southern Africa, books recommended by Scott on
economic development, and books recommended by the Peace Corps. Here
are some of our favorites so far.
The Blue Sweater by
Jacqueline Novagratz is a highly readable economic development book
which Scott uses in one of his classes. The book is not too heavy
with theory, a more hands-on experience with micro finance especially
in Rwanda before and after the genocide. After working for the
Rockefeller Foundation, Novagratz started the Acumen Fund which
combines venture capital with philanthropy by investing in local
entrepreneurs and vendors working to bring needed goods and services
at an affordable price to the very poorest people of the world. The
fund has invested in bringing clean drinking water to millions, in
the manufacture and distribution of mosquito nets, and efficient eye
surgery and low cost intraocular lenses. All the clothes which we
donate to charity in the US and that don't sell, eventually make it
way to Africa. We see the t-shirts from the teams that did and
didn't win championships; jeans of all varieties; and
Novagratz saw her favorite childhood blue sweater with her name
written on the label on a child in Kigali. I even saw a real
Burberry jacket with the plaid on the outside worn by an elderly man.
28 stories of AIDS in
africa by Stephanie Nolen.
This is a highly moving, informative and inspirational book about
HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Nolen looks at the disease from many
angles: the stories of those from all walks of life who are sick,
dying and living on ARV's; the doctors and caretakers fighting to
save people; the researchers working to find a cure or better drugs;
and the policy makers who failed to act soon enough to stop the
spread of the disease. These are real people and their varied
stories; and though heart wrenching, will give you a clear and
sobering human view of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Born in Africa
by Martin Meredith A page turning account of the quest to discover
where and how the human race was born. The intrigue and rivalries
among the scientists makes for good reading. Mark wrote for the PC
newsletter: Books
about paleontology are as dry and dusty as the bones those guys pick
over, right?
Nope.
Born
In Africa
is one part detective mystery, another part adventure yarn, and just
enough soft science to make you feel pretty virtuous for having read
it. It is the story of the fossil-hunters and paleontologists in
East Africa who gradually deciphered the origins of our species. And
an intrepid, idiosyncratic and highly competitive crew they were,
too.
Other good reads:
Long
Walk to Freedom
by Nelson Mandela
Middlesex
by Jeffrey Eugenides
Next
up: W is for
Wasted,
thanks to my daughter-in-law Lindy!
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