Mountains Beyond Mountains

The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World

By: Tracy Kidder

Narrated by: Tracy Kidder

Length: 4 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

“[A] masterpiece...an astonishing book that will leave you questioning your own life and political views...Kidder opens a window into Farmer’s soul, letting the reader peek in and see what truly makes the good doctor tick.” (Nicholas Thomas, USA Today)

In medical school, Paul Farmer found his life’s calling: to cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most. Tracy Kidder’s magnificent account shows how one person can make a difference in solving global health problems through a clear-eyed understanding of the interaction of politics, wealth, social systems, and disease. Profound and powerful, Mountains Beyond Mountains takes us from Harvard to Haiti, Peru, Cuba, and Russia as Farmer changes people’s minds through his dedication to the philosophy that “the only real nation is humanity.”

Praise for Mountains Beyond Mountains: 

“A true-to-life fairy tale, one that inspires you to believe in happy endings...Its stark sense of reality comes as much from the grit between the pages as from the pure gold those pages spin.” (Laura Claridge, Boston Sunday Globe)  

“Stunning...Mountains Beyond Mountains will move you, restore your faith in the ability of one person to make a difference in these increasingly maddening, dispiriting times.” (John Wilkens, The San Diego Union-Tribune)

“Easily the most fascinating, most entertaining and, yes, most inspiring work of nonfiction I’ve read this year.” (Charles Matthews, San Jose Mercury News)

©2003 Tracy Kidder (P)2003 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

“In this excellent work, Pulitzer Prize-winner Kidder immerses himself in and beautifully explores the rich drama that exists in the life of Dr. Paul Farmer.... Throughout, Kidder captures the almost saintly effect Farmer has on those whom he treats.” (Publisher’s Weekly, starred review)

“[A] skilled and graceful exploration of the soul of an astonishing human being.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

“Mountains Beyond Mountains is the only book I’ve read in years that made me feel like cheering. It left me uncomfortable, guilty, and exhausted - but it also inspired me, kept me up all night, and moved me to tears. Some readers will find their lives changed forever; everyone else will emerge, at the very least, with an unexpectedly revised set of values. Tracy Kidder has given us not only an unforgettable book but an unignorable life lesson. Hurrah!” (Anne Fadiman, author of The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down)

Wow

What a story of transformational leverage. One man living his mission that every life is equally important and step by step making worldwide changes. Listen at 0.9 speed or you’ll feel like you’re in a race-but maybe that’s the point.

Great lessons for all of us

Preferential care for the poor.....what a different way of looking at health care delivery. What if this is how care was provided around the world?

Excellent read and inspiring!

Such dedication to helping those who are in need is unbelievable. We need many more like him!