Total Page : 352
Publisher : Random House Trade Paperbacks
Publication Date : 2009 08 25
>> A Must Read for all of us who want to do good in the world
An inspirational yet realistic and fascinating biography of a most amazing man There is so much for us to learn from him I would like to see this as required reading for young people and all those working for non governmental organizations overseas I m so glad our book club decided to read it Kidder is an excellent author I want to read more by him
>> Succeeds best as a biography for part of a life
This book is definitely worth reading but to me its success is as an essentially biographical work I believe the intent is to be inspirational to internalize the subject as a call to action but in my opinion it falls somewhat short in this area It is an engrossing account of a developing doctor from youth until practice In this regard I found the early portions of the book the most engrossing I have long been fascinated by what inspires a person to become a doctor with all that entails from desire to preparation to practice It seems like an exceedingly long hall From this perspective I found Paul Farmer fascinating His life work and the institutions he has built are focused on being a true hands on healer He focuses on what he can do as an individual and this is the bulk of the first portion of the book which is fascinating His friends that help him along the way and contribute to the development of PIH are equally intersting
The second portion of the book is somewhat less successful in my opinion There is the universal utilitarian conflict between the needs of the many and the needs of the few played out in world wide public health I guess on some level the book is written so the reader can come to his or her own conclusions but there is so much there covering three major diseases malaria HIV and drug resistant tuberculosis within various settings that I m not sure that the basic presmises aren t lost in the extensive medical jargon and the cast of international characters entering and exiting the proceedings There is a lot of time focused on managing multi drug resistant TB in various settings but I don t know that the importance of vector control in large populations is given its due over simply just helping people who need help This is unfortunate to me as a point of information I am reading this concurrently with my high school daughter who has to read it for school I think a lot of the medical/public health issues will be lost on the students
The book does hit on how medical innovation does occur primarily with problems that affect the developed world although in a somewhat cursory manner In this regard I was left with many questions There is much discussion in the book regarding distribution of medical resources but not that much in regard to development of resources These issues squeeze out briefly in the book Boston with TB labs and no TB and areas with extensive TB and no labs While I undertand the book cannot be a treatise on everything related to medicine I was left with the perception that the author didn t convey or maybe the subject didn t the mechanisms that foster the creation of the medical innovations that we are trying to equitably distribute b
>> A man triumphant a reader left feeling inept
I loved this book The writing was engaging and the protagonist inspiring As a biography I thought it was exceptionally well done and presented the colossal humanity of this individual as well as his breadth of understanding of public health the real side of public health which is the individuals who make up the public I am left feeling inept and useless but inspired Thank you for a wonderful read
If You are looking for >>> Mountains Beyond Mountains The Quest of Dr Paul Farmer a Man Who Would Cure the World Random House Reader s Circle find the best one here
