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Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World (Random House Reader's Circle)

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Author: Tracy Kidder
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$18.00~~
Buy New: $9.50
as of 3/13/2010 03:35 PST details
You Save: $8.50 (47%)

New (48) Used (22) from $9.50

Seller: Ariana Mason

Media: Paperback
Pages: 352
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.7 x 1.2

ISBN: 0812980557
Dewey Decimal Number: 610.92
EAN: 9780812980554
ASIN: 0812980557

Publication Date: August 25, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:

•	ISBN13: 9780812980554
•	Condition: NEW
•	Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
This compelling and inspiring book, now in a deluxe paperback edition, shows how one person can work wonders. In Mountains Beyond Mountains, Pulitzer Prize—winning author Tracy Kidder tells the true story of a gifted man who loves the world and has set out to do all he can to cure it.

In medical school, Paul Farmer found his life’s calling: to cure infectious diseases and to bring the lifesaving tools of modern medicine to those who need them most. Kidder’s magnificent account takes us from Harvard to Haiti, Peru, Cuba, and Russia as Farmer changes minds and practices through his dedication to the philosophy that “the only real nation is humanity.” At the heart of this book is the example of a life based on hope and on an understanding of the truth of the Haitian proverb “Beyond mountains there are mountains”–as you solve one problem, another problem presents itself, and so you go on and try to solve that one too.

“Mountains Beyond Mountains unfolds with a force of gathering revelation,” says Annie Dillard, and Jonathan Harr notes, “[Paul Farmer] wants to change the world. Certainly this luminous and powerful book will change the way you see it.”

Customer Reviews:

Showing reviews 1-5 of 100

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Farmer's journey helps us reflect on our own March 12, 2010
C. Avampato (New York, NY)
"It is so easy, at least for me, to mistake a person's material resources for his interior ones." ~ Tracy Kidder, Mountains Beyond Mountains

Today I finished Tracy Kidder's excellent book about Paul Farmer and his nonprofit, Partners in Health, a global nonprofit organization, started in Haiti, that has changed the perception of basic health care from a privilege to a social justice. Being able to have the tools to heal is a birth right, not something reserved for the wealthy and powerful. Paul Farmer has given his life for this simply articulated belief: every life matters equally.

Biography and autobiography is a fascinating thing. While we hear about someone else's journey, we cannot help but examine our own. By viewing someone else's place in the world, their contributions to humanity, we begin to consider and re-consider our place, our contribution.

As I left yoga class today, my head was swimming. I've got too much information coming at me a million miles an hour: at work, in yoga class, in my volunteer hours, from my friends and family. I'm trying to date as much as I can, and then also leave some time each day for myself. For my own thoughts and reflections. My life is bursting with, well, life.

And then I finished Mountains Beyond Mountains, and I let out a huge sigh of relief. I'm trying to just manage my own little corner of the world. Paul Farmer is out there actually saving many corners of the Earth - the most desperate, the poorest, the ones that need immediate attention before they decay entirely beyond any recognition. He is Atlas, and he will not shrug.

So give me yoga asanas, Sanskrit, sacred hindu texts, new technology, org chart after org chart, change and then more change, and any and every trouble and triumph of my many beautiful friends and family members. I can take it all in, and still feel whole and complete, still take care of my own heart and body and soul. I've got this.

If Paul Farmer can wrap his mind around treating TB, HIV / AIDS, and everything that comes along with that, in Haiti, Peru, Russia, Guatemala, Roxbury, and Lesotho to name just a few of the regions of the world his worked has touched, then surely I can do my fair share. After all, we are all just people, fallible, imperfect, stunning examples of grace. There is always more to do, always. And that is a beautiful realization. The Haitians say it best, "There are always mountains beyond mountains." Let us hope that our work is never really done, and let's celebrate that.

5 out of 5 stars

Why Humanity Is OK After All March 6, 2010
C. P. Erker (Hermosa Beach, California)
One should not pick up Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains unless one is ready to question one's moral worldview and value system. One shouldn't start reading this book unless one is comfortable admitting to not doing enough to make the world a better place for others. And one especially should not digest this work unless one is prepared to feel inadequate and inspired at the same time.

Kidder introduces us to the book's protagonist, Paul Farmer, and takes us through Farmer's remarkable life, from his childhood living in a bus to his ascension to the very peak of academia and health care. In chronicling Farmer's path from childhood through high school, college, Haiti, and other countries, Kidder provides a deep and at times disturbing state of man.

Many have heard Farmer's story. He grew up in a low-income household, but through a love of learning and his inherent brilliance got into Duke University, where he thrived academically, if not socially. Inspired by a number of factors, Farmer began working in health facilities in Haiti. He gained entrance into Harvard Medical School after having established himself working in Haiti. Soon, his organization, Partners in Health, was training dozens of health care personnel in Haiti and around the world and providing much-needed healthcare to those who needed it most but could afford it least.

Farmer's accomplishments are shockingly moving. What may be more interesting to the reader who seeks a little bit of Farmer's magic potion is just how all of this happened. Kidder spends enough time with Farmer over the years that he becomes to truly know Farmer the doctor, Farmer the motivator, Farmer the leader, Farmer the firebrand, and Farmer the man. Not surprisingly, Kidder grows increasingly affectionate towards Farmer. There are points in the book where Kidder seems to have finally found a kink in Farmer's armor. One such situation involved Farmer's decision to fly a sick child to Boston for treatment. It turned out that the great expense did not save the child, who appeared to have had little chance to begin with.

But as always, Farmer has an answer to Kidder's challenges. Everyone, regardless of birth, deserves to be cared for. Each of us make decisions daily in which we justify why we don't spend our lives helping others, our money building that which is broken. What makes Farmer's idealism and optimism believable, against all odds, is complicated. Farmer was gifted with an intellect that knows few peers. He attended universities that have provided him with the requisite connections and resources to turn his ideas into hospitals. He was very fortunate to have a funder, Tom White, who opened his checkbook to bail Farmer out whenever necessary.

Regardless of the perfect circumstances, it took one man to make it all happen. For those who say it's impossible to lead a meaningful, full life doing something you love, while also accumulating immense global power and stature, may I recommend this book. Just don't say I didn't warn you. It may just make you want to quit your job and instead use your skills for the betterment of mankind.

5 out of 5 stars

One man makes a difference March 6, 2010
Virginia A. Thompson (Lakebay,Wa. USA)
Here is a hero of the first water. He uses all his advantages of race and education to make a difference in the lives of the poor in Haiti, Chili, and Russia. This book paints pictures of the plights of victims of poverty and illnesses such as tuberculosis,and aids, and of the methods Dr. Farmer uses to bring about change. It is inspirational.

5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Book February 24, 2010
Marilyn Antoine (New York, NY USA)
Well written informative book. Could not put it down. Dr. Farmer and those who work with him are an incredible bunch. We can all learn from their relentless pursuit to correct social injustice in the medical arena. Dr. Farmer's insightful view of Haitian society is right on the money. Myself, born in Haiti, Dr. Farmer's views on the cultural dynamics of the country thought me a thing or two about my own birth nation.
Highly recommended to all.

4 out of 5 stars

Inspiring February 19, 2010
C. Dietrich (CAMERON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US)
This astonishing story of Dr. Paul Farmer is a testimony to the truly life-changing contribution that one committed person can make. Dr. Farmer refuses to take 'no' for an answer. He perseveres brilliantly, operating, not only in the U.S., but internationally. He calls on politicians, friends, physicians and anyone who can assist him in curing infectious diseases not only in Haiti, but all over the world. Although, not a page-turner for me, this book gives stunning insights to the type of extraordinaly person it takes to literally change the world. This book makes me realize that I, only one person, can do more.

Showing reviews 1-5 of 100

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