Well-Written Exploration of Human Struggle

books:


	• Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World Tracy Kidder Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2004 - 336 pages average customer review:based on 140 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Mountains above Mountains

I had to have this book for a class I am taking in college. If you don't mind someone trying to indoctrinate you, it is a pretty good book. The medical jargon gets a little confusing at times, but nothing that will hinder you from enjoying the rest of the book.

Another Kidder winner

There is something about Kidder's books that captures one's attention - its the details he captures, and how those details bring people to life. It is almost as though he paints a picture all around you so that you can become a part of the story - an observer like him.

In this case, writing the story of a lauded Doctor who is changing the way the world thinks about addressing medical needs in areas of poverty, it could not have been easy to have gathered these facts. Dr. Farmer is fascinating - but so unlike anyone I know, that Kidder too must have been challenged to relate to him. Perhaps the most humanizing moment is when Kim (one of Dr. Farmer's associates) echo's for another time the message they try to teach their associates at Partners in Health - admire what Dr. Farmer does, aspire to do great things like him, but don't do it his way. And at some point this reader had to come to exactly the same point - I'm reading a book about someone who is doing great things, but in a way I cannot ever imagine replicating, and therefore I have to read this book almost as fiction.

I walked away from the book admiring although bewildered by Dr. Farmer, and intensely admiring of Kidder. Both the man and the biographer emerge as tremendous human beings.

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Well-Written Exploration of Human Struggle

This book was fantastic. It was a non-fiction narrative, and was worth reading throughout just for the language and imagery. But what was really remarkable was the exploration of human suffering, both of those who suffered for witnessing other's struggles and of those suffering with such perspective.

As such, it is an examination of humanity. Interestingly, it seems that we only get to really discover what that is once we've sat down and deliberated about it a bit. Why do we ask questions like, "how else could we have spent those twenty thousand dollars?" but not "why is an attempt to save that boys life not worth 20% of my (a doctor's) salary?" Or, "how do you say you are waiting for these peasants to 'step up' and demand clean water when they do not know that illness comes from water?"

I just finished reading it and have ordered another copy to have to lend out. The only reason not to read this book is if you don't want to confront the reality of our potential as human beings. I'm a pretty intensely involved person, but Paul Farmer shows me just how much more I can do. And what fundamental assumptions need to be recognized and challenged if we are to succeed in our greater goals.

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a great writer portrays a great doctor

I just finished this great book about an American doctor's tireless
attempts to serve the poor in Haiti, Peru, Russia, and elsewhere. He
ends up not only helping hundreds of thousands of people but also
influencing public health policy around the world re: AIDS and TB. An
inspiring read with a lot of insights for activists and anyone trying
to change the world for the better.

This book changed my life...

I recommend this book to everyone I meet who reads. Mountains Beyond Mountains describes a modern day miracle. In a world where there is very little to look up to, this book inspires. I particularly love Dr. Farmers focus on the individual. Image what the world would be like if each one of us was as passionate and devoted to helping those around us who were in need. I whole-heartedly recommend this book.

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, page 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

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