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In the River They Swim Essays from Around the World on Enterprise Solutions to Poverty

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Inspirational
I can’t add much to most good reviewers have already done so far for this book. But to be brief, this is more of an inspirational book than a book that gives you concrete information/strategies to deal with the issues. Having come from a background of voluntary/non-profit service from my college days and being involved with several non-profit organizations over the years, I thought I might get a little more glimpse into the strategies/methods and resonings people followed in accomplishing their goals. Instead this is more of an anthology of sorts, at times going into personal musings/reflections that may or may not add value for some readers.

For myself, I will continue to read it again once in a while, more for inspriation than anything else (like my Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull).

4 Stars Not Merely a Simple Armchair Guide to Global Poverty–but a Call to Action
‘In the River they Swim’ features a foreword by Rick Warren (the well-known author of the ‘Purpose-Driven Life’) and twenty-nine essays, written by foreign dignitaries, statesman, social-workers and bankers, which offer practical solutions, not just to global poverty itself, but also to the problematic and dire issues that arise from it–disease, poor education, corruption and “spiritual emptiness.” Overall, this collection of insightful, optimistic, practical and warmhearted essays is, in effect, not just an exhaustive armchair guide to understanding the nature of global poverty but is an inspirational book that exhorts readers to get involved–to take action–in the fight against world poverty. ‘In the River they Swim’ is recommended for anyone who has an ear to hear and the will to get active in the global community.

4 Stars Interesting exploration about creating sustainable solutions to poverty
“In The River They Swim: Essays from Around the World on Enterprise Solutions to Poverty”, is a collection of essays on some very innovative solutions to poverty and “leveling the playing field” as globalization occurs. Rather than focusing on humanitarian aid as a relief to poverty, various authors (in many cases development, business, and political elite) lay out innovative and ambitious “self-sustaining” solutions to poverty.

As someone with little/no experience or exposure to these types of challenges, it was eye-opening for me. Many of the authors clearly make a case for rising out of poverty by delivering a world-class “service/product”. It makes sense in prinicple (in some ways like India’s successful ascent as a global IT leader as a way to “raise” many people there), but seems insufficient to address the sheer enormity of poverty at times. Still, the solutions provided are a good start.

Negatives? It is a very long collection, somewhat unevenly written, and sometimes reads more like a memoir for some elite leaders rather than the “solutions book ” it is pitched as. But overall, a very interesting and enlightening read.

In the end, the ambitious goal set forth by the book is definitely a viable element in addressing poverty but minimizes (and sometimes criticizes) humanitarian aid and “helping hands” as dysfunctional rescuing. As such, I found some authors more compelling than others, as to be expected in an essay collection such as this. A worthwhile read.

4 Stars Not the easiest read, but worth the effort
This is not an easy book to read.

It IS a book that required study.

You cannot simply read this like an editorial or a news article. This book will challenge you to think. It will challenge to to reference other texts, and to double-check what your previous understanding of major issues in politics, international relations, economics, and many other topics.

If you take the time to go through this book seriously(turn your search engine on before you start,) you will see a paradigm shift in your understanding of international relations in the Third World. The thrust of this book is that capitalism has, is, and will continue to bring about the end of poverty in the Third World.

The examples developed and explained require you to think and evaluate. Theories and economic principles are well-documented and explained in detail. I am not an economist (I took 2 undergraduate courses over 30 years ago), but I found the explanations understandable and quite accessible.

The theory is that we have to replace the current foreign aid model with a wealth creation model. Adam Smiths “invisible hand,”

Lincoln’s “rising tide” that “lifts all boats” and John Mackey’s Conscious Capitalism all come to mind. This is not an easy book to read. I wish that it had been annotated and footnoted more thoroughly,(hence 4 stars instead of 5,) but this is a fascinating book to read.

If you read this book, you may or may not agree with the authors. You will definitely have thought through the arguments on both sides of the issue. I can think little more to ask for of a book that attempts to tackle such an important topic.

5 Stars this is an exceptional resource!
where the writing lacks polish it overflows with authenticity. the essay format allows each contributor to take their own direction giving a liveliness to the reading. but it’s the real-world, front lines nature of the accounts that makes this essential reading for everyone: those casually interested in world affairs; cultural anthropology geeks; economic development decision makers; and pretty much everyone that leaves out. the first-hand accounts are not only valuable insights into the mechanics of third world economies but, valuable inspiration for entrepreneurs and professionals of all types. I can’t rate this book highly enough.

one caveat: skip the prologue by Rick Warren, it’s a waste of time that only makes you skeptical of the book’s value.

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