Inspiring but Convoluted
Dr. Paul Farmer is a saint and this book is living proof. It's hope in humankind and the realization that despite racial, geographical, national, and religious boundaries, we are all but mortal afterall. The imagery and lessons learned in this book can be beautiful, symbolic, and just plain awestriking. How one man can be crazy enough to aspire to change the world, and how all it takes is one man to start-- a myth to possibility to fact.
On a practical level, for the average person, this book may be far too informative to keep a readers' attention. At first, it's absolutely amazing, and Dr. Farmers devotion continues to inspire, but it's just too many facts thrown out there and it often seems to ramble. It's almost a guilty bore, to be honest. For me personally, I feel guilty for getting bored at a story of someone so wonderful and real.
Our entire Arts & Sciences college was assigned to read this and most, though respectful and honoring of Dr. Paul Farmer, found this as something they wouldn't want to read again because there's just too much history/statistics/stories thrown into it. Plus, there is no plot... it is a biographical piece. There's no set climax, it comes and goes, it informs and it shows.
It'd be great for someone into global affairs and medicine. No doubt. If you're into really informative biographical type pieces, this is for you. 5 stars there and 5 stars for Dr. Farmer.
Otherwise, it's enlightening for all, but sometimes difficult to continue to focus reading for the average person.