Rwanda, Inc.

How a Devastated Nation Became an Economic Model for the Developing World

By: Patricia Crisafulli, Andrea Redmond

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Eighteen years after the genocide that made Rwanda international news, yet left it all but abandoned by the West, the country has achieved a miraculous turnaround. Rising out of the complete devastation of a failed state, Rwanda has emerged on the world stage yet again - this time with a unique model for governance and economic development under the leadership of its strong and decisive president, Paul Kagame.

Here, Patricia Crisafulli and Andrea Redmond look at Kagame’s leadership, his drive for excellence and execution that draws comparisons to American CEOs and emphasizes the development of a sophisticated and competitive workforce that leverages human capital. In Rwanda, the ultimate turnaround, strong and effective leadership has made a measurable and meaningful difference. Rwanda’s progress offers an example for other developing nations to lift themselves out of poverty without heavy reliance on foreign aid through decentralization, accountability, self-determination, and self-sufficiency. The authors also explore Rwanda’s journey toward its goal of becoming a middle-income nation with a technology-based economy and its progress in encouraging private sector development and fostering entrepreneurship while also making gains in education, health care, and food security - and all with a strong underpinning of reconciliation and unification.

As so many nations stand on the brink of political and economic revolution, this is a timely and fascinating look at the implications of Rwanda’s success for the rest of the continent - and the world.

©2012 Patricia Crisafulli and Andrea Redmond (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"In Rwanda, Inc., Crisafulli and Redmond recount the rise of an unyielding people and their chief executive, President Paul Kagame.… An exceptional blueprint for other developing countries." (Bill Clinton)

"A fascinating portrait of a nation and a president at a pivotal moment in history." ( Publishers Weekly)

Not objective and poorly read

The book reads like a puff piece for Paul Kagame, who can apparently do no wrong and whose leadership is the apex of human achievement. I might be able to overlook the obvious propaganda but for the fact that the narrator sounds like a disinterested robot. I am forced to look elsewhere for a well-written account of Rwandan history and culture.

Poorly researched

Book relies mostly on statements by government insiders and poorly cobbled up newspaper articles. More so, the paternalistic interpretation of what constitutes success for an African state is unappealing.

Rwanda's growth

What made the experience of listening to Rwanda, Inc. the most enjoyable?
I read this book a while ago and subsequently I visited the country for the first time earlier this year. Then I bought the audio version for "revision" purposes. The story is still fascinating and this book captures the essence of this miracle.

Who was your favorite character and why?
It has to be Paul Kagame and his leadership of this beautiful nation

Which scene was your favorite?
The " yes, we can" attitude.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
The genocide would make anyone sad. Why did the world just turn a blind eye?

The narrator doesn't sound convinced

The narrator makes the story sound more like the book is propaganda, than its intended to.

Story of leadership and a country's redemption

Throughly enjoyed listening to the background and history of Rwanda and how the country has worked to heal the wounds of genocide through investing in their greatest resource, their people.

Good overall but…..

Good book to get a brief historical overview of Rwanda. Even though the book wasn’t designed for that purpose. Great insight on the rise of President Paul Kagame and the challenges Rwanda faces attracting outside economic growth. No Country is perfect However the achievements Rwanda has made this far should be commended. The turnaround as the book relates to is amazing. Main complaint is the book at times becomes a cheerleading session for President Kagame. Not speaking anything bad of him personally, just would of preferred a more objective point of view of Rwanda in general. Overall this book increases my desire to visit Kigali one day. .

An Africa

An amazing story of an African President with a vision a rare feature since President Thabo Mbeki, an intriguing story of an African gem under good leadership. the narrator sounded more like siri than human.

Paul Kagame is a dictator, not a savior.

If you’re looking for an objective account of history, I implore you to look elsewhere, for this manuscript was little more than the story of Superman, retold in the likeness of Paul Kagame. There are scores of better researched works that tell the story of conflict and context about Rwanda, that don’t ask the dictator what they think of themselves and then simply reprint every word and flower up the rest of the story to boot.

Dancing in the Glory of Monsters by Jason Stearns is an example of reporting with in

Puff piece that is essentially propaganda and lacks research and balance.

This is one of the most superficial books I have read in years. Propaganda for the current government and an unregulated market approach in Africa.