The Man Who Tried to Save the World: The Dangerous Life and Mysterious Disappearance of an Americ...
A swashbuckling Texan, a teller of tall tales, a womanizer, and a renegade, Fred Cuny spent his life in countries rent by war, famine, and natural ...
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reviews
Apr 08, 2010
Alicia
rated it: 
Why do I not know about many of the events that took place in the 90's? Is it because those are my "teenage" years, and teenagers are prone to self-absorption and hence don't look around them? Or is it more a reflection on the United States at the time? When we were being led by a charismatic and "all is well in Zion" leader so we didn't know about this horrible things that were going on?
I'm not sure about that, but this book it about one man who constantly went More...
I'm not sure about that, but this book it about one man who constantly went More...
Aug 03, 2011
An excellent book about the real terrors of trying to work in or near Chechnya showing it is not just the lack of trust, confusion, kidnapping and avarice that is dangerous but the arbitrary nature of chaos itself.
There is a PBS special that came out some time ago about Fred Cuny and this book is excellent at telling his story and explaining the complexity and fear inherent in the region.
There is a PBS special that came out some time ago about Fred Cuny and this book is excellent at telling his story and explaining the complexity and fear inherent in the region.
Aug 12, 2010
Rick
rated it:
A heart breaking book about a man who I am proud to have called my friend. Scott Anderson did very well telling the story of Fred's life, adventures, and accomplishments. Not so well in telling of his death in Chechnia, which is still somewhat shrouded in mystery.
Nov 15, 2010
Bernando
rated it:
You begin to understand the madness that is Grozny and the conflict with Russia. I enjoy books about individuals who do great things. Compare to Paul Farmer, Greg Mortensen etc..
Jan 10, 2009
Alex
rated it: 
Interesting story, especially since he is from Dallas. The way it was told as a 3rd person biography was a little dry at parts. Overall a great story and mystery.
Jan 13, 2009
Bill
rated it:
Interesting book about an idealist who gets caught up in the wrong war at the wrong time...
Jan 06, 2009
Stacey
rated it:
I loved this book. I learned so much about Chechnya, about disaster relief, and about the million ways beauracracy ruins the world. As a biography of Fred Cuny, it is first class. Anderson's also a great writer, and I was incredibly impressed by the structure of the book. There's also something so trustworthy about his voice. Whenever he told me something, I believed him. That doesn't happen to me much lately with nonfiction.
Dec 05, 2007
Jeanne
rated it:
I've always been curious about the story of Fred Cuny, and this book seems to capture it quite well. Well written and engaging - read it on the plane from Khartoum back to DC. I keep coming back to the author's comments about what a crazy place Chechnya is - how you can never really figure out exactly what's going on, who's telling the truth and who's lying, what the hidden agendas are, etc. Reminds me of Sudan. Anyway, I was also surprised at how many OTI-ers are quoted in the book. Can't
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Jul 09, 2008
Chhaya
rated it:
I didn't know a whole lot about Chechnya and this was an interesting and different take on that war. Instead of the typical: this side did x, which caused the other side to retaliate by doing y, etc, this was the humanitarian's perspective of how do we save the people caught in the crossfire. A captivating read though it dragged a little bit towards the end.
Dec 10, 2007
Kpoore
rated it:
Although this gets off to a slow start in the very typical "when Johnny was four he wanted to be an astronaut," kind of way, by page 100 or so a firsthand account of disaster relief begins to emerge that pulls the reader, forcibly if necessary, directly into Fred Cuny's world. By the time his story reached Chechnya, I couldn't put the book down.
Mar 07, 2010
Jen
rated it:
Really interesting perspective on the business of relief, the life of Fred Cuny and the conflict in Chechnya.
Nov 09, 2010
Corey
rated it: 
Great read - constantly keep the page turning despite it being a non-fiction.
Dec 27, 2007
Elizabeth
rated it:
The story of one of the (controversial) visionaries of humanitarian aid who disappeared (and was almost certainly assassinated) in Chechnya. Fascinating and illustrative of the complexities of operating and innovating in the field.
Jan 04, 2012
Donna
rated it:
A great book about a conflicted man who had controversial, but working, ideas about relief work. This book made me realize that Chechnya is a place where nothing is sacred. I couldn't put the book down.
Sep 04, 2009
Kathleen
rated it:
It's been years since I read this book, but I recall it was a devastating, inspiring, insightful & heartbreaking account of the life & work of Fred Cuny; who I'd never heard of before this book, and have since not been able to forget. Highly recommended for anyone who has in interest.
Feb 05, 2012
Feb 05, 2012
Jan 29, 2012
Jan 15, 2012
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