The Idealist: Jeffrey Sachs And The Quest To End Poverty (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
I read this book after listening to Nina Munk and Jeff Sach's rejoined on EconTalk. It was one of the few occasions I wanted to go and read the book. I am actually torn about the starts in this book, but I am very glad to have read it. I think it captures a lot of the dilemmas of the type of work that Sachs does. My own intellectual genesis has moved more and more away from interventionist policies without at least thinking through a lot of the externalities. And the type of approach that Sachs undertakes is certainly a risky one. That being said, as Chris Blattman points out, many of these places did get better governance for the first time. A very readable and critical look at Jeffrey Sachs's effort to, well, end poverty. Ultimately it's a very sad thing that this well-intentioned, smart, hard-working person put a lot of personal energy into the Millennium Villages Project, only to see it vastly underperform. Also, Munk portrays Sachs at times as an often arrogant salesman who wants to the media fanfare, but only pops in for rare hands-on work in Africa. However, in his defense, and Munk also conveys these facts too, Sachs worked harder on saving millions of lives than many millions more will ever do in their lives, and people often failed Sachs. Also, in the author's note, Munk mentions that she took on this book because she too had hope for a better future for impoverished people of the world. Perhaps the title, "The Idealist," also captures her naivete?
What do You think about The Idealist: Jeffrey Sachs And The Quest To End Poverty (2013)?
Quick, engaging read. Seems a bit like a caricature of Sachs though...at least I hope it is.
—CarrieK
Interesting to learn more about Jeffrey Sachs and the Millennium Village Project
—archna25
Don't need to add anything because I agree with all the 4+ reviews.
—Jovi
Awesome. Very quick read. Leave you with a lot to think about.
—Ironfox
Won a free copy on goodreads, review to come soon.
—Angie
