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An Imperfect Offering: Humanitarian Action for the Twenty-First Century
enlarge	Author: James Orbinski Publisher: Walker Company Category: Book List Price: ~~$27.00~~ Buy New: $17.82 You Save: $9.18 (34%) New (27) Used (7) from $11.99 Media: Hardcover Edition: 1 Number Of Items: 1 Pages: 448 Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7 Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 ISBN: 0802717098 Dewey Decimal Number: 610.92 EAN: 9780802717092 ASIN: 0802717098 Publication Date: September 30, 2008 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Editorial Reviews: Product Description DIVPFrom one of the world#8217;s greatest humanitarian activists comes a searing personal memoir that is also an urgent call to confront suffering in all its many forms./PPHaving seen things we hope never to see, confronted suffering and dispassion and evil we hope never to encounter, and faced deep personal torment, James Orbinski still believes in #8220;the good we can be if we so choose.#8221; His chosen medium for revealing this is stories from his own experience#8212;a doctor#8217;s indelible testimony from the front lines in Peru, Somalia, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Zaire#8212;embodied in which are warnings, hope, and lessons in how we can inject humanitarian activity into our lives. Being political, he has discovered, is not only reserved for politicians; admitting imperfection is essential to compassion. With an eye for detail like that of the finest journalist and the empathy of the most committed doctor, Orbinski#8217;s powerful voice is matched by the urgency of his message. At a time of great political and moral uncertainty, IAn Imperfect Offering /Iis invaluable reading for anyone who wants to make a difference. /PPExcerpt:/PP#8220;This book is a series of stories in which I ask, again and again, #8216;how to be in relation to the suffering of others.#8217; It is a personal narrative about the political journey I have taken over the last twenty years as a humanitarian doctor, as a citizen, and as a man. It is about the mutuality that can exist between us, if we so choose. I have come to see humanitarianism not as separate from politics, but in relation to it, and as a challenge to political choices that too often kill or allow others to be killed. At its best, politics is an imperfect human project. It is at its worst when we delude ourselves into thinking it can be perfect. Speaking is the first political act. It is the first act of liberty, and it always implicitly involves another. In speaking, one inherently recognizes that #8220;I am and I am not alone.#8221; In this space lies our humanity.#8221; (Ia composite from chapter 1/I)/P/DIV

Customer Reviews: An Imperfect Offering November 28, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful Dr. Orbinski's account of his life's work with Medecins sans Frontieres / Doctors without Borders reads like a thriller. Orbinski's stories from his Irish-Canadian childhood as the son of very poor Irish immigrants give insight to his passion to help the less fortunate.br /br /The memoirs of his MSF work in treacherous places like Somalia, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Sudan reveal the inner politics of providing humanitarian aid to developing countries especially those in conflict. What these doctors and healthworkers had to do and not do to make deals with tribal leaders in Somalia or Afghanistan exemplify what true dialogue, diplomacy, cooperation, tolerance and respect for the cultures of the regions look and feel like.br /br /Although I skipped the chapters on Rwanda and Zaire, MSF's work to make HIV/AIDS drugs available to the poorest of the poor in the most challenging of environments is truly awe-inspiring. I gleaned some beautiful quotes of which I have committed to memory and will share with my activist colleagues:br /br /"We are not certain that speaking out saves lives, but we are certain that silence kills." Philippe Biberson, President MSF France 1999br /br /"No one can do everything, but everyone can do something." James Orbinski, the author and past International President MSFbr /br /An inspiring memoir that teaches not preaches. Be braver than I and read it in its entirety!br /br / Reality Check November 23, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful An outstanding narrative filled with behind the scenes political details that open your eyes to the TRUTH. I have a much better understanding of how genocide happens and how governments make endless excuses despite all reports to the contrary. I am humbled by this book and enlightened. A very informative read.

Copyright 2007 White Hat Communications.
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