Here, from Bill Clinton, is a call to action. Giving is an inspiring look at how each of us can change the world. First, it reveals the extr...
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Dec 25, 2007
Kip
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As others have noted, Giving is inspiring in that it illuminates a myriad of ways that service can be offered, both in the United States and abroad. I also was heartened to find out how much particular individuals and groups are already doing to fight AIDS, eliminate hunger, improve literacy, mentor youth, provide jobs and job training, etc. And the variety of ways people approach problems is interesting to read about. Unfortunately, I'm often dismayed that there is so much suffering in the worl
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Dec 17, 2009
daniella
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The first book I've ever read that I found truly inspirational... or that made me want to cry on every page.
The stories of individuals making small differences in the world (read: large differences in their communities) gradually segue into those of contributors to multi-million dollar NGOs; I was in the last chapter when I realized that Bill was giving us the tools to go out there and make the differnce ourselves.
A lovely nonpartisan work by a man so obviously interested More...
The stories of individuals making small differences in the world (read: large differences in their communities) gradually segue into those of contributors to multi-million dollar NGOs; I was in the last chapter when I realized that Bill was giving us the tools to go out there and make the differnce ourselves.
A lovely nonpartisan work by a man so obviously interested More...
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Nov 30, 2008
Daryl
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Each holiday season, we often find ourselves giving to the Salvation Army, donating to a local homeless shelter or buying toys for impoverished children. But after the holiday season is finished, do you still continue to give? "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World" by Bill Clinton is an excellent guide for those who want to give more. And the book not only addresses all the means of giving but also WHY we should give with examples of many people who have changed and improved
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Apr 04, 2010
Lisa
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This book is an interesting quick overview of lots of ways you can get involved in "changing the world". On the good side, I think Clinton does an excellent job of giving readers just a glimpse of a wide range of ways they can volunteer with their time and skills to make a difference. The book covers everything from homelessness, to food banks, to tutoring, to giving your hair to cancer patients, to things you would never expect.
I also like that the book tries to look a More...
I also like that the book tries to look a More...
Dec 08, 2009
Marigold
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I don't think it's a secret to any of my friends that despite his many faults, I've always been a big admirer of Bill Clinton - & particularly of the way he's used his privilege to change people's lives for the better, since leaving office. Through his connections to many American nonprofits, his own foundation, & his actions after the Asian tsunami & Hurricane Katrina, he's become a model of what the post-Presidency can be & how international & cross-sector cooperation can accomplish much to ma
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May 19, 2009
Jessica
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 08, 2012
Mscout
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Truly inspiring. President Clinton outlines a diverse array of giving throughout the world. He includes people of all nations, races, ethnicities, ages and socio-economic backgrounds. While I am sure that the print version would urge one to action as well, the audio makes one want to run through a wall for someone else's benefit. I don't know what it is, he doesn't raise or overly inflate his voice, (and though polished, you can definitely tell that he is from Lil Rock)but he could probably get
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Feb 13, 2011
Jim
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Ok, this book mostly just summarizes the work of worthwhile charities around the world and tells stories about the people who started them and/or support them, ranging from Bill Gates to the lady at the lemonade stand who pressed $50 for Katrina victims into Pres. Clinton's hands as he walked by. I listened to the audio book version, read by the author, and I admit that I feel more hopeful and caring from just listening to Bill Clinton's voice talking about this stuff. I especially liked the p
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Oct 07, 2009
Tommy
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I can not remember the last time I read such a boring book. The idea of inspiring people to serve and help is an excellent one and I had high hopes for this book.
The major problem with this book is that it reads like a laundry list or a back patting/name dropping list. Bill Gates did this, Bono did this, I did this, and on and on and on. It wasn't inspiring in the least, was repetitive, and not horribly practical.
It didn't give ideas of things that any one person could do More...
The major problem with this book is that it reads like a laundry list or a back patting/name dropping list. Bill Gates did this, Bono did this, I did this, and on and on and on. It wasn't inspiring in the least, was repetitive, and not horribly practical.
It didn't give ideas of things that any one person could do More...
Dec 10, 2010
David
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In this back-patting & name-dropping work, Bill Clinton gives and gets credit for spreading the word about spreading the wealth - MOSTLY through voluntary, service-based channels.
Primarily, the book is a long list of the author's favorite projects. All politics aside, I gained a greater understanding of international crisis and need and feel more educated about options for tending to those in their affliction. Listening to Bill talk about philanthropic enterprises with George H.W. Bus More...
Primarily, the book is a long list of the author's favorite projects. All politics aside, I gained a greater understanding of international crisis and need and feel more educated about options for tending to those in their affliction. Listening to Bill talk about philanthropic enterprises with George H.W. Bus More...
Jun 01, 2010
Kathleen
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This is a profoundly inspiring book on so many levels. In it former President Clinton examines the hundreds of ways people have found to give. Some of the giving is on a grand scale --- gazillionaire Warren Buffet gave billions to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation because he thought they were more skillful at effectively using funds than he could be. Some of the giving is modest like a six year old girl who began organizing beach cleanups in her town.
And the giving is global from More...
And the giving is global from More...
May 28, 2008
Lots of good info about non profit organizations and ngo's (that I hadn't heard of before) that do good in the world.
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Mar 25, 2009
Hardeep
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For some reason, I found myself plodding through this book- and I can't quite put my finger on why. Lots of good stuff here with anecdotes and links to myriad organizations one can support.
I don't think that he said enough about giving that comes with strings. One of the reasons India at one point forsook aid form the US is that it came with too many strings attached. The aid requires that countries use the monies to purchase supplies from american companies, often at not the best More...
I don't think that he said enough about giving that comes with strings. One of the reasons India at one point forsook aid form the US is that it came with too many strings attached. The aid requires that countries use the monies to purchase supplies from american companies, often at not the best More...
Jan 20, 2012
Cathy
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I read this book in hopes of learning some ideas to benefit the start-up non-profit I am currently involved in. While there was some interesting information it was kind of annoying in how easy it is for President Clinton and colleagues to easily raise funds for their NGO's because of the close contacts with those in the upper levels of governments or businesses. Sure it is easy to raise a couple of thousand of dollars when you know the head of GE or someone who is close to a Prime Minister of a
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Oct 08, 2010
Mariefitriani
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This book is truly inspiring... and it really is just about giving. It made me think of how many of us actually give back? The ideas that come from a child and the force of these ideas (and the person who started the charity) is truly amazing. We don't need to look far, or think big; it's the small steps that count, small steps that many many people can take together to help each community. I would love to be able to do the small stuff, that would make a lot of difference to as many people as po
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Sep 16, 2010
Tarah
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We listened to this on the way from MO to CA, and it definitely passed the time. AND I got to listen to Bill Clinton the whole time. Awesome. The book is worth listening to, all in all, but it's really just a litany of organizations, volunteer opportunities, or ideas for getting involved, etc. Not a bad thing, but I was hoping for something more substantive. On the other hand, I did feel really freaking hopeful after listening to this book, as it certainly gives you lots of examples of peop
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Mar 02, 2009
Denise
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Love him and loved it. It was really inspiring. I especially loved the chapter on way people give (or don't give!). Eye opening. Totally recommend it.
Lines I loved:
All over the world, intelligence and energy are evenly distributed, but opportunity, investment, and effective organizations aren’t.
Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
When I became president in 1993 there were only fifty sites on the WWW. When I left, there were 9 milllion.
It may be More...
Lines I loved:
All over the world, intelligence and energy are evenly distributed, but opportunity, investment, and effective organizations aren’t.
Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
When I became president in 1993 there were only fifty sites on the WWW. When I left, there were 9 milllion.
It may be More...
Sep 10, 2011
Travis
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The former president makes the case for charitable contributions of time and money, offering a showcase of various operations around the world as examples. The pace moves quickly; he rarely devotes more than two consecutive paragraphs to the same organizational effort. Still, it reads pretty dry and it's a bit discouraging that nearly every example he holds up has to be qualified with the disclaimer that while most of us aren't capable of operating on that kind of scale, with those kinds of re
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Sep 12, 2008
Liz
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If you ever felt like you should be more involved but don't know how, this book provided numerous examples to get off your butt and get involved in fixing what you see needs improving in the world, from education, to poverty, to hunger, to the environment and so on. I read this book on the flight out and return from East Coast (Philadelphia) to West Coast (California). The text is light and uncharacteristic of Clinton I'd add, as if he had a ghost writer or was making the text really easy for
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Aug 02, 2008
Linda
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This is one of those books that is better as an audio book than as a printed one. The material is rather dry and I know I'd never finish the printed version. The audio version, read by the author, is much better.
I was fascinated by the many organizations that exist to help others and the many ways there to give. Were I Clinton's editor, I would have put the money chapter last, not first. Most people do not have and will never have the amount of money that Bill Gates or Warren Buf More...
I was fascinated by the many organizations that exist to help others and the many ways there to give. Were I Clinton's editor, I would have put the money chapter last, not first. Most people do not have and will never have the amount of money that Bill Gates or Warren Buf More...
Nov 26, 2007
shaw
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This book actually goes kinda well with The White Man's Burden. "Giving" is a non-partisan, feel-good book for wide-eyed idealists and unengaged cynics alike--explaining with example after example the myriad of ways one can give money, time, energy, ideas, or skills and be effective. I especially liked the chapter, "Nonprofit Markets Can Be Organized Too," cuz he's absolutely right. Practically, I think the most useful part is the index of resources with a list of websites
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Nov 08, 2007
Laura
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The web site for this book is awesome, and has links to every organization (organized by chapter in the book) that he mentions. Click here to check it out
I'm learning about tons of really good organizations, and ways for everyone to help. I love how this is organized (by how you can give, meaning by time, money, things, etc).
If you don't take time to read the book, at least check out the site. I don't think I will finish listening, as I'm not as interested in hearing More...
I'm learning about tons of really good organizations, and ways for everyone to help. I love how this is organized (by how you can give, meaning by time, money, things, etc).
If you don't take time to read the book, at least check out the site. I don't think I will finish listening, as I'm not as interested in hearing More...
Nov 05, 2007
Lauren
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I very much liked the premise of this book: that you could, and should, give no matter who you are, where you are, what you have, or how rich you are. There is almost always something you have that someone else needs. I think I inherited from my grandfather an abhorrence to throwing things away. As a result, I am always looking for new ways to get rid of things I don't need without just trashing them. My favorite go-to places are the public libraries (books, magazines), battered women’s shelters
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Feb 19, 2011
Sue
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I found this book easy to read, inspirational. It made see and believe that those of us with a smaller amount of money could still use that money to help finace someones dream of a better life for them and their families. that i could be totally involved with the family in helping finance a small business and see not only what happened but be paid back so that i could help another family. this appealed to me. definitely worth a read regardless of a person's skepticism. a joyfilled ride an
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Apr 06, 2011
Mary Dawn
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Gets a 4 or 5 for quality of nonprofits highlighted and ideas of how to get involved yourself, and noting the importance of giving, but like many of the books of this genre just gets a little slow to read - so for reading interest gets a 2. Or, technically, "listening interest" as I listened to it on audiobook. Averages out to be the 3 stars! Not a political manifesto at all (for any who dislike Clinton), but truly highlighted good work that people are doing all over the world.
Jul 31, 2009
Susan
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I have to admit that I read this very quickly, not thoroughly, because it didn't appeal to me very much, too many facts and figures and not enough personal stories that draw people in. I have to think that the audience of people he is trying to reach, those who are not giving or are giving only minimally, may not be enthused by the book, and the people who already give heavily won't learn as much as they hope. Still, lots of good information available in the book, just a bit dry.
Apr 19, 2008
Jackie
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A feel-good book about the benefits -- humanitarian, social, personal, cultural -- that come from donating individual and organizational resources to worthy causes. The book gives countless examples of what giving means to particular individuals and why (e.g., Bill and Melinda Gates) and it describes the changes that have been made through individual and organizational commitments to giving and creativity in structuring programs to maximize benefits. The book describes many interesting and wor
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Sep 18, 2011
Matt
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I did find this book inspirational in a "Man in the Mirror" sort of way. I wish I would've thought about buying it on tape, but it was still a good read nonetheless. I do agree with some that the name-dropping and disclaimers began to get repetitive and somewhat noticeable, but not annoyingly so. I may be lobbing on an extra star or so just for the sheer message of this book, but that's not to say the stories inside it are not interesting and inspiring -- they are.
Feb 08, 2012
Lauree
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This is an inspiring look at the many ways people are helping people both locally and all over the world. If you believe, as I do, that government and the free enterprise system can't solve all the problems we face, then you will be interested to find out about additional ways that we can make positive changes to solve the many challenges that must be overcome. Every life has equal value. We need to see our fellow man who is living on less than a dollar a day.
Apr 25, 2010
Grant
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A great book for anyone wanting to get into the giving game. It's got great examples of organizations and ideas already in action and ideas for causes still in need. It gives examples of how people give; money, time, skills, etc. It recommends ways for the reader to get involved and asks them to ask themselves what to do about the things they see around them that need improvement.
I also agree it's a bit dry and the audiobook might be a better choice however.
I also agree it's a bit dry and the audiobook might be a better choice however.
