Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World
Book Review: Making the World a Better Place
Summary: 3 Stars
The novel Mountains Beyond Mountains, by Tracy Kidder, is a heart wrenching book that forces one to question they way they live their lives. It takes you on the journey of Paul Farmer, whose life mission is "providing a preferential [health] option for the poor" (Kidder 81). Farmer sacrifices his own comfort, and goes to some of the most destitute places in the world, such as the town of Cange in Haiti, to help provide the Poor's medical needs. Farmer treats all of his patients with respect, and gives them proper care no matter the cost. For example, he would give poor Haitian AIDS patients expensive drugs. He did this even when "No one else [...was] treating impoverished Haitians with new antiretroviral drugs" (Kidder 29). Paul's commitment to the poor makes a reader feel selfish and downright mean to the underprivileged. It forces the reader to realize how good their own life is and motivates them to use their own blessings to make a real difference in the world. Although the plot of the book is not very entertaining, it is an easy read and has a powerful message. I recommend this book to people who want to see how one person really can make the world a better place. Book Review: Making a Difference
Summary: 3 Stars
"Mountains Beyond Mountains" is a huge revelation for many of its readers. When reading this book you will soon learn about living in poverty. Kidder really describes the sights seen in a Haitian town, full of many diseases and where death at a young age is not uncommon. He tells the life of Dr. Paul Farmer and the challenges he over comes to help cure Haiti and other parts in the world from TB and other diseases.
When you first start reading this book you realize how good your life is. Kidder explains that when Farmer goes down to Haiti he first starts working at a hospital that can't even store blood transfusions. After watching a patients die because of the lack of a blood transfusion Farmer says, "I'm going to build my own f**king hospital" (Kidder 81). This is where Farmer's life in Haiti really begins. He starts his own hospital, curing as many patients as he can and spending most of his money on the supplies and gifts for his patients. Through out the book Farmer demonstrates his drive and determination to rid these poverty-stricken nations of disease. Many people who are acquainted with Farmer asks how Farmer does all of this and Kidder's response is "I think in Farmer's case the answer lies somewhere in the apparent craziness, the sheer impracticality, of half of everything he does," (Kidder 296).
Even though this book can be a difficult read at times, it is an important story. You don't have to be interested in medicine to enjoy this book because there are many more lessons that you can learn from reading it. For instance, you will learn to put others before yourself. This book will inspire you to be the best person you can be and to try to make a difference in the world.
Book Review: Mountains Beyond Mountains
Summary: 4 Stars
I had to read this book for a Sociology class and was glad I purchased it. It is the story of Dr. Paul Farmer and his desire to cure the sick and the poor. He managed to see what so many fail to see. That you are just as sick if you are poor and maybe even more so because you cannot afford the needed medicine. This book will break you heart when you read how these people live. Book Review: Beautiful, disturbing and inspiring
Summary: 5 Stars
Simply put it is partly the story of a doctor, a social entrepreneur, of Haiti, of public health policy and of a non-profit organization which has changed the world. Inspiring and also eye opening to those of us who tend to blindly believe in the wisdom of market driven, rational decisions.Book Review: This book changed my life...
Summary: 5 Stars
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.