James Maskalyk
…the importance of this volume cannot be overstated. What emerges clearly is that Haiti's disaster is not merely geologic. The shaking earth only added to the woes of a long-stricken country abused by foreign-backed dictators, economic embargoes and historic French demands to be paid for its slaves freed at independence 200 years ago. Haiti underscores the desperate need for a lasting solution for a people who live hand-to-mouth on an island that once grew enough sugar for nearly the entire world.
—The Washington Post
Publishers Weekly - Audio
A physician and former United Nations deputy special envoy, Paul Farmer shares insights and experiences from his humanitarian work following the massive earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010, while offering supplemental essays from a host of key players in the recovery process. In this audio edition—read by various narrators—Eric Conger effectively captures Farmer’s range of emotions, both those of a physician desperately seeking care for the wounded and of a public policy expert grown weary with the political forces that have contributed to the plight of the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Downplaying her star power, Meryl Streep provides a gentle maternal touch to several of the accompanying narratives and shines as Farmer’s wife, Didi, a Haitian-born anthropologist. And bestselling author Edwidge Danticat provides a memorable performance in describing the anxiety of Haitian-Americans awaiting news about the fate of loved ones in the hours and days following the disaster. A PublicAffairs hardcover. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
President Bill Clinton
“A gripping recollection of the quake's ruin, chaos, and despair, and the story of remarkable persistence, hope, and love in the aftermath. Once you've seen Haiti through Paul Farmer's eyes, you'll never see Haitians, or any of the world's poorest people, quite the same way again.”
Adam Hochschild
“Profoundly moving....An urgent dispatch from the front by one of our finest warriors for social justice. With eloquence and wisdom, Paul Farmer shows how we cannot fully comprehend one of the great natural disasters of history without understanding the man-made suffering that Americans and others have inflicted on Haiti.”
Madison Capital Times, July 14, 2011
Washington Post
“Farmer’s clarion and moving chronicle is followed by powerful essays by other [voices].”
—Booklist
The Globe and Mail
The uniqueness of Farmer’s . . . contribution to this new stage of Haiti’s history is the piercing historic and social/political dimensions he offers.”
—The Globe and Mail
Booklist
Farmer’s clarion and moving chronicle is followed by powerful essays by other [voices].”
—Booklist
Library Journal - Audio
Farmer, the UN deputy special envoy for Haiti and chair of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard, describes the horrifying devastation of the 7.0 earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010, and points out how colonial rule, brutal dictatorships, ineffective economic policies, and uncoordinated NGO donations contributed to the destruction and slow recovery. He stresses the need to encourage a strong central government with careful planning and management of foreign aid in order to "build back better." Essays by Edwidge Danticat, Evan Lyon, and others provide moving, firsthand accounts of their experiences with the quake. Farmer and Meryl Streep convey hope and concern through their strong, clear narration. Highly recommended for anyone interested in knowing more about this proud nation trying to recover from natural disasters and years of dysfunction. ["Farmer demonstrates his deep love for Haiti while at the same time pushing for the drastic foreign and domestic reforms needed to rebuild this troubled nation," read the starred review of the PublicAffairs: Perseus hc, LJ 7/11.—Ed.]—Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo
Library Journal
On January 12, 2010, the whole world witnessed the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti and the devastation that followed. Having worked in Haiti for almost 30 years, Farmer (UN Deputy Special Envoy for Haiti; global health & social medicine, Harvard) draws on his vast experience to explain what he calls the "acute on chronic problem" that exists in the aftermath of the quake. He recounts the chronic problems caused by Haiti's history of colonial rule, damaging foreign and domestic economic policies, and the resulting abundance of well-meaning but dysfunctional humanitarian aid. Farmer does not deny the horror of the earthquake, but he pushes for closer examination of the problems in Haiti that made this natural disaster so destructive and the efforts to help its citizens extremely difficult. He argues for a more progressive rebuilding plan in Haiti to "build back better." Also included are essays from earthquake survivors, doctors, and other volunteers, which lend a more personal tone to the book. VERDICT Farmer demonstrates his deep love for Haiti while at the same time pushing for the drastic foreign and domestic reforms needed to rebuild this troubled nation. Highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about the history of, and recovery efforts in, Haiti.—Veronica Arellano, California, MD
AUGUST 2011 - AudioFile
Listeners can immediately believe they are hearing Paul Farmer himself deliver his eloquent broadcast of the voices of those affected by the disastrous earthquake in Haiti in January 2010. Eric Conger captures not only the matter-of-fact tone of Dr. Farmer, founder of Partners in Health and UN deputy special envoy for Haiti, but also the bold yet restrained compassion that fills Farmer's account. Additional essays by friends and colleagues make up the second part of the program. Edwidge Danticat and Michele Montas-Dominique deliver passionate readings of their works. Joia S. Mukerjee’s heavily accented delivery of “Neg Mawon” resonates with anger on behalf of her country. Meryl Streep and Edoardo Ballerini give commanding and sensitive performances of several essays. The careful, respectful use of Haitian Creole is a welcome addition, as are clear introductions and an index to the essays. The scenes of unimaginable devastation and loss so vividly described can be hard listening, but Farmer's vision for "building back better" and the hope and commitment of his colleagues and friends remain indelible. S.J.H./R.F.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
From the UN Deputy Special Envoy for Haiti and chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and members of his team, a searing firsthand account of the earthquake and its aftermath.
Farmer (Partner to the Poor: A Paul Farmer Reader, 2010, etc.) presents consequences of the outrage that U.S. law—e.g., the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961—makes it impossible to do what needs to be done in a country like Haiti. Relief and reconstruction funds cannot go to government agencies or to rebuild government infrastructure; instead, they must be funneled into NGOs. Haiti's government, writes the author, is operating out of a small police station on a shoestring budget. More than 40 percent of government employees were killed, and 28 out of 29 ministries were leveled. Yet, under the ruling law, because of Haiti's history of human-rights violations, the United States cannot contribute to rebuilding government infrastructure or paying public employees, including doctors, nurses and medical technicians. The NGOs and volunteers who receive the funds can't discuss policy priorities, make laws or coordinate the scale of activity required, and they siphon funds into overhead and operating costs. Farmer has been involved in Haiti for 25 years, during which time he has warned policy makers about the country's precarious position. Unfortunately, the results have been very close to what he was predicted for years—at least 2 million people are still displaced, one-third of the population is directly affected and cholera has become a major problem. Other contributors to this book include Edwidge Danticat, Evan Lyon and Dubique Kobel.
An eye-opener of a report and a wake-up call that change is needed.
