Tuesday, March 4, 2014

GOOD READS

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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