The End of Poverty

Just a terrific book about the challenges of poverty across the globe. Offers insightful analysis and realistic solutions. Be warned however, that other authors have recently dismissed Sach's prescription of pouring money into the problem, and presented some alternatives.

This book is well read and research in depth - with lots of personal "in the field" experience from the author.

He works through the situations that the extreme poor are facing every day. He does this in a way that puts any troubles or complaints you might have in a whole new light. Even if you disagree with his conclusions you will have new insight into the problem.

I think that he also does a really good job of dissecting why the current operations have not solved the problem and laying out a well organized and actionable plan forward. Some of his solutions may be a little more difficult because they require responding to the unique aspects of each situation - but I think that is also why they stand the best chance of working. It is true that his proposals might not cure 100% of the problem - but they will get a lot closer than what is being done currently. And, whatever plan we use to solve this problem, it is hard to argue with the conclusion that we should be putting forth an effort to eliminate the problem instead of providing band-aids when disasters strike.

The narration was great. The facts numerous and many verified beyond a doubt, but I cannot say I understood exactly what the solution ultimately is. So as a person listens there are many arguments you might come up with. Great mental gymnastics.

An acceptable book that often moves back and forth from Economics to a call to pressure those in power to increase funding for the third world, but don't be fooled, the latter is very much the point of the book.

If you are a fan of Noam Chomsky you'll love this book, if you are a fan of Economics, but have a socially conscious perspective then read Muhammad Yunus instead.

The foreword is by Bono, so while you may be in the deep end, you certainly know which pool you are jumping into.

There are some editing mistakes which is why I gave such a low score for performance, but otherwise the book is fine.