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Here is a man that could not "give" a solid response to save 800,000 Rwandans writing a book about giving.The irony is nauseating. No one who sits by and watches 800,000 people die and not take action should never be assumed to have the least bit wisdom in the area of giving.
Many of the anecdotes were heartwarming like the woman from the Village Kisinga, in Uganda that was given a goat that produced offspring and in turn also produced income for the family of twelve, however the family didn't keep the offspring or the money gained, they decided to donate it to other families in China. The books organization made it easy to read. I thought that was beautiful, how people can help one another with the little they even have to begin with. The chapters were outlined with the different methods people could give. I know many people who only think that volunteering and donating money is the only way to give but they would be surprised that there are many other ways to help out those with fewer resources. Overall the book is a good read, my only criticism is that it is a bit redundant.
While this book contains a few motivational annectdotes and some eye-opening ideas for giving, it falls way too short of being interesting. I read about half of it, but was not benefiting enough to continue. The book is not much more than a looong list of people who gave and the stories and inspirations behind their giving.
Giving is easy to read, and its formatted so that you don't have read each chapter in its given numerical order, you can skip around and still feel the message. However, every chapter covers too much names that are soon to be forgotten by the time you enter the next chapter. This book breaks down philanthropy into six different categories; giving time, giving things, giving skills, gift of reconciliation and new beginnings, gifts that keep giving, and giving good ideas. Clinton provides inspirational stories of incredible people and information regarding how they have made an impact on the lives of others. No matter how inspiring these people are, you cannot ask the average reader to remember all the information he provided. So this book can be used as a good reference if you like to get involve with non-profit organization.
Put aside partisan ideology for what really matters, taking care of your fellow human beings. From the deep pockets of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to the Cancer foundation of Lance Armstrong, the stories of Giving are endless, varied and sometimes heartbreaking.
Giving is about just that. If you haven't added the acronym NGO (Non-governmental organization) to your daily vocabulary, this book will park it there permanently.
Heading these NGO's are dedicated, sometimes brilliant, sometimes rich and powerful people who found themselves delving into the higher purpose of aiding humanity. Listed is a wide collection of charity groups from food pantries to African AIDS organizations.
Each has a specific mission designed, in some way, to better the world we live in. Collecting these energies is the Clinton Global Initiative which brings together funding with pledges of action to bring about immediate relief to those who are suffering.Forget about the legacy issues of the author or the political ambitions of his wife.
If you have a big heart, free time or a full wallet then Giving might be the fulfillment you are waiting for.
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