Wood, the executive who made it his business to bring books and schools to children around the developing world, chronicles his life and work, from...
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Dec 19, 2010
Harun Harahap
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Pengalaman dan perasaan gw saat membaca buku ini hampir sama saat gw membaca buku Three Cups of Tea -nya Greg Mortenson..perasaan gw mengharu biru dan sering "memaksa" diri gw untuk bercermin diri dan memeprtanyakan apakah diri gw sudah nyaman dengan apa yang sudah gw miliki dan berapa besar andil gw untuk membuat dunia ini lebih "Indah"..
John Wood, eksekutif perusahaan Microsoft, berani meninggalkan statusnya untuk menjadikan dirinya petualang dan pendiri sebuah More...
John Wood, eksekutif perusahaan Microsoft, berani meninggalkan statusnya untuk menjadikan dirinya petualang dan pendiri sebuah More...
9 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Feb 18, 2009
RandomAnthony
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I read Leaving Microsoft to Change The World over three or four days, culminating in a marathon airline session between Milwaukee and Orlando. While I like Wood's basic premises, and I absolutely can’t fault him for his dedication, the question as to whether or not this book works both as inspirational narrative and trailblazer for the future of philanthropy is open to question.
Wood's personal drive would be purely admirable if it weren’t borderline insane. I got the feeling, while More...
Wood's personal drive would be purely admirable if it weren’t borderline insane. I got the feeling, while More...
4 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Nov 06, 2007
Ulatbuku
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Konon kabarnya, kesuksesan dan kekayaan adalah dua di antara sebagian besar yang paling diburu banyak orang. Karena itu, tidak heran jika kita menemukan banyak petuah singkat, praktis dan kadang-kadang menyesatkan untuk meraih tangga sukses melalui jalan-jalan pintas. Akan tetapi, seadainya kita pernah membayangkan seandainya kita ada di sana, menjadi sukses dan kaya, sensasi apa yang akan kita alami? Buku ini barangkali menjadi semacam titik balik bagi semua upaya-upaya berhasil. Bukan t More...
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(2 people liked it)
Sep 21, 2007
Decy
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Seorang Kepala Pemasaran Microsoft untuk pasar China mengundurkan diri dari jabatannya dan memilih untuk membantu menyumbangkan buku dan membangun sekolah untuk anak anak di Nepal.
Kisah inspiratif John Wood melihat panggilan hidupnya bagi orang lain diceritakan dalam buku ini.
John Wood memiliki karier yang sangat cemerlang dalam membangun bisnis software perangkat lunak terkenal tersebut, kesuksesannya di Australia membawanya terpilih untuk mengembangkan perusahaan Bill Gates ini ke More...
Kisah inspiratif John Wood melihat panggilan hidupnya bagi orang lain diceritakan dalam buku ini.
John Wood memiliki karier yang sangat cemerlang dalam membangun bisnis software perangkat lunak terkenal tersebut, kesuksesannya di Australia membawanya terpilih untuk mengembangkan perusahaan Bill Gates ini ke More...
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Apr 15, 2008
Forest
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From a librarian's perspective, this is a little disappointing because of the lack of specific details about the Room to Read libraries, their patrons and their local staff. To a cynical person, the book will eventually become tedious because of the relentlessly optimistic and heartwarming tone. (To give the author credit, he is honest about his personal doubts and struggles with his decision to leave his lucrative job and work for four years without a salary to improve literacy in rural Asia. B
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Apr 07, 2008
Amang
rated it:
Sebuah kejadian yang pastinya sulit diterima dengan nalar orang kebanyakan. Bagaimana mungkin meninggalkan semua kesuksesan itu, dan memilih untuk membentuk Room to Read? Kepada seorang kawan, saya katakan ini buku tentang mengejar kebahagiaan. Karena lewat buku saya belajar pada akhirnya, uang tidak bisa membeli kebahagiaan... tetapi uang bisa digunakan untuk membeli banyak buku, membangun sekolah, dan akhirnya menolong banyak orang. John Wood adalah salah satu contoh, yang banting setir dari b
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 10, 2009
Yofish
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I guess it's sort of an interesting story--guy leaves high-paying job at Microsoft in order to start a charity that builds schools and libraries in 3rd-world countries (first Nepal, then Vietnam, then Sri Lanka and other places affected by the Tsunami). There are two big flaws. One is that he really can't write very well. It all feels like it's high-school essay level. Stunted, cliche-filled, etc. The other is that it feels like he always has to be relentlessly positive; after all, he's sti
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Jan 20, 2009
Megan
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This book is about a Microsoft executive who is trekking in Nepal on vacation when he is invited to visit a local school. He is shocked by the conditions of the school and specifically the library - which has about 7 books locked up in a cabinet. He pledges to return with books for this school in the future. Thus begins his journey of quitting his job at Microsoft to start a non-profit that builds schools and libraries in third world countries.
Again, this is a fascinating study of More...
Again, this is a fascinating study of More...
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Aug 18, 2011
Laura
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It's back to school time, which consumes our brains with thoughts of school supplies and uniforms or back to school clothes. We wonder who got which teacher and who will be in whose class. But, it's not like that for everyone. It's not like that around the world. John Wood was a senior exec at Microsoft. A trekking trip to Nepal changed his perception of life - changed his life, and the lives of so many others. "Perhaps sir, you'll someday come back with books." Was a plea from a headm
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Jul 13, 2010
Adie
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Seorang backpacker legendaris pernah berkata, "Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent. in the ideas of living." Mungkin perjalanan seperti itulah yang dilakukan oleh John Wood. Perjalanannya yang dilakukan secara backpacker ke Nepal telah membawanya pada pengalaman yang akan mengubah hidupnya selamanya.
John Wood adalah seorang eksekutif senior di perusahaan Microsoft yang rela untuk meninggalkan kenyamanan hidup--k More...
John Wood adalah seorang eksekutif senior di perusahaan Microsoft yang rela untuk meninggalkan kenyamanan hidup--k More...
Apr 19, 2010
Lisa
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If you're looking for a book about how to run an effective non-profit, or how to fundraise effectively for a non-profit organization, this book is for you. However, I picked it up looking for a great book about the lack of education in developing nations, why we should be concerened about that, and what we can do about it. In comparison, I really enjoyed reading "Three Cups of Tea", which made the educational issues in Pakistan (and its culture) come alive for me. I thought this mig
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(1 person liked it)
Apr 05, 2010
Harblue
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awalnya, seorang lelaki jutawan yang bekerja di Microsoft bernama John Wood, hanya bermaksud berlibur melepas penat kerja di kantornya. jiwa petualangnya membuat ia memilih mendaki gunung Himalaya.
Namun, saat ia sedang beristirahat di sebuah kedai dibalur cuaca yang dingin, ia bertemu dengan seorang lelaki bernama Pasupathi, yang bekerja bagi pemerintah Propinsi Lamjung, Nepal untuk mencari sumber dana bagi 17 sekolah di propinsi pedalaman ini (hal: 5). dalam pertemuan itu, Pasupathi More...
Namun, saat ia sedang beristirahat di sebuah kedai dibalur cuaca yang dingin, ia bertemu dengan seorang lelaki bernama Pasupathi, yang bekerja bagi pemerintah Propinsi Lamjung, Nepal untuk mencari sumber dana bagi 17 sekolah di propinsi pedalaman ini (hal: 5). dalam pertemuan itu, Pasupathi More...
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Jan 07, 2010
Jennifer
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John Wood quite an amazing job at Microsoft to make the world a better place by providing books to children around the world. His efforts have built hundreds of libraries and provided scholarships to school...not college, but primary and secondary school...to thousands. His love of reading as a child motivated him to help make sure that children in Nepal, Vietnam, South Africa, and India could get an education and make better lives.
I was very moved by his story of what parents and co More...
I was very moved by his story of what parents and co More...
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Nov 30, 2009
Wage
rated it:
John Wood, seorang eksekutif di Microsoft Corporation tidak pernah menyangkan perjalanan wisatanya ke ketinggian Himalaya di Nepal ke akan merubah arah hidupnya 180o. Bermula dari melihat keadaan sekolah-sekolah di Nepal yang miskin akan buku serta permintaan yang tulus dari seorang Nepal “Barangkali Pak, suatu hari anda akan kembali dengan buku-buku ?”, John Wood sepulang dari Nepal langsung mencoba mengorganisir pengumpulan buku-buku bekas yang masih layak baca untuk disumbangkan ke sekolah-se
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Oct 28, 2009
Abigail
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Leaving Microsoft to Change the World
By John Wood
Reviewed by Abigail Hayes
Room to Read is a non-profit organization geared towards educating children in the poorest parts of the world where illiteracy is rampant and there aren’t enough resources or funds to contest it. Room To Read started in Nepal and has to sprawled to South Africa and Zambia collecting corporate partners like Microsoft, Scholastic, and yes, even Google has pitched in to help John Wood and his extensive team More...
By John Wood
Reviewed by Abigail Hayes
Room to Read is a non-profit organization geared towards educating children in the poorest parts of the world where illiteracy is rampant and there aren’t enough resources or funds to contest it. Room To Read started in Nepal and has to sprawled to South Africa and Zambia collecting corporate partners like Microsoft, Scholastic, and yes, even Google has pitched in to help John Wood and his extensive team More...
Aug 02, 2009
mahatma
rated it:
buku ini saya terima dari roos yang baik hati [sebagaimana teman-teman di GRI yang lain juga baik hati: suka ngasih buku ke saya dan belum pernah bisa saya balas kebaikannya! ha..ha..]
dan saya langsung tertarik pada buku ini karena pengen tahu bagaimana mengadakan buku dalam jumlah besar secara rutin pada masyarakat yang tidak mungkin membalas jasanya.
john wood menulis kisah sukses hidupnya ini, meski dengan dramatisasi bahwa dia sukses justru dengan meninggalkan pekerjaan yang More...
dan saya langsung tertarik pada buku ini karena pengen tahu bagaimana mengadakan buku dalam jumlah besar secara rutin pada masyarakat yang tidak mungkin membalas jasanya.
john wood menulis kisah sukses hidupnya ini, meski dengan dramatisasi bahwa dia sukses justru dengan meninggalkan pekerjaan yang More...
Oct 23, 2011
jiwa
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1. Buku ini adalah buku tentang dunia buku. Lebih dari itu, buku ini bercerita bagaimana idea berbagi buku boleh mengubah hidup kanak-kanak yang tidak mampu membeli buku.
2. Buku ini memutar semula memori saya semasa kecil, yang sering berkunjung ke perpustakaan. Buku-buku di situlah yang telah menjadikan saya pembaca yang tegar.
3. Membaca buku ini buat mata saya sering tergenang. Saya terfikir tentang koleksi buku milik saya yang menimbun tetapi hanya mendatangkan k More...
Jul 26, 2009
Jimmy
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Setiap orang menginginkan kebahagiaan. Kesehatan yang baik, karir yang cemerlang, pacar atau calon istri yang menarik dan pintar. Sudah bahagiakah saya sekarang?
Setiap orang mempunyai tujuan kenapa berada di dunia ini. Saya percaya hal itu. Setiap orang juga punya panggilan pelayanan sesuai dengan talenta masing-masing. Sudahkah saya memenuhi panggilan pelayanan saya?
Saya tidak akan bercerita tentang apa yang sudah saya lakukan untuk menemukan kebahagian hidup saya. Terla More...
Setiap orang mempunyai tujuan kenapa berada di dunia ini. Saya percaya hal itu. Setiap orang juga punya panggilan pelayanan sesuai dengan talenta masing-masing. Sudahkah saya memenuhi panggilan pelayanan saya?
Saya tidak akan bercerita tentang apa yang sudah saya lakukan untuk menemukan kebahagian hidup saya. Terla More...
18 comments
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(15 people liked it)
Jul 29, 2011
Simon
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It's true what Bill Clinton is quoted as saying on the cover; 'imagine what would happen if only 100 people took up his example ?'.
This book - and more so John Wood - is truly inspirational and makes me want to go out and change the world. Although John Wood is indeed describing his own life story - including emotions, successes and failures - it fortunately does not turn into a sugar-coated version of reality, but stands out as a truly inspiring story. He blends the chronological version of eve More...
This book - and more so John Wood - is truly inspirational and makes me want to go out and change the world. Although John Wood is indeed describing his own life story - including emotions, successes and failures - it fortunately does not turn into a sugar-coated version of reality, but stands out as a truly inspiring story. He blends the chronological version of eve More...
Jun 27, 2009
Kristine
rated it:
John Wood, the author of this book, founded a non-governmental organization called Room to Read to bring books and literacy to children beginning in Nepal and quickly spreading to other countries. Readers of the book Three Cups of Tea (about Greg Mortenson) may try to compare Mortenson and Wood's similar efforts, but I suggest resisting that impulse as much as possible while reading. Wood and Mortenson both reveal something of their personal histories, turning points, and passion to make a
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 07, 2012
Melissa
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I enjoy reading inspirational stories about people doing good for the world. It makes me think that one day, I'll be able to do something that has an impact too. This book was pretty good, and it supports a good cause.
Even though he was making good money in a high powered job at Microsoft, John Wood decided that he needed to do more with his life. Having traveled in Nepal and loving its scenery and people, he was crushed to see the appalling state of its schools. Which led him to q More...
Even though he was making good money in a high powered job at Microsoft, John Wood decided that he needed to do more with his life. Having traveled in Nepal and loving its scenery and people, he was crushed to see the appalling state of its schools. Which led him to q More...
Sep 25, 2011
Patrick
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John Wood's inspiring book, Leaving Microsoft To Change The World, is a book I've been meaning to read for some time. A friend of mine, Gary Bremmerman, has been instrumental in supporting John Wood's charity Room To Read (which promotes literacy in developing countries by building schools, libraries, providing books, and giving scholarships to girls for further education) with his Beers For Books program. Anyway, John Wood's story is a very powerful one and shows what one individual is capable
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Dec 17, 2009
Ariel
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Although not always beautifully written, the story told in this book is powerful. It is inspiring to the extent that you’ll want to do something drastic, like start your own book drive or sign over your paycheck to Room to Read. For anyone interested in literacy, education, Microsoft, or how to run a successful nonprofit, this is a great read.
Apr 12, 2010
Elizabeth
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I follow Room to Read on Twitter. A few months ago, I added the Room to Read Twibbon (a twibbon is a tiny picture that's displayed on your Twitter avatar). A few minutes later, I got a message saying I was the 100th person to add the Twibbon. My prize was a free autographed copy of the book. Pretty cool.
This book demonstrates why Room to Read is an excellent organization. John Wood recounts a trip to Nepal in the 90's during which he was struck by the kindness of the people and t More...
This book demonstrates why Room to Read is an excellent organization. John Wood recounts a trip to Nepal in the 90's during which he was struck by the kindness of the people and t More...
Nov 28, 2008
Alissa
rated it:
I can’t say enough good things about this book, the author, and what his organization is doing. I was fortunate enough to hear the author, John Wood, deliver the keynote address at the Public Library Association conference last month. He is a dynamic speaker and his passion for this topic had me wanting to make a donation on the spot.
The book covers how he started Room to Read and also his entrepreneurial lessons learned from Microsoft and how he applied them to his nonprofit organiz More...
The book covers how he started Room to Read and also his entrepreneurial lessons learned from Microsoft and how he applied them to his nonprofit organiz More...
Dec 01, 2011
Rickyjez
rated it:
I have made it a habit to only buy books that I have first borrowed from the library and believe to be worthy of rereading, sharing, or at least referring to for years to come. Leaving Microsoft to Change the World is such a book. Author John Wood is the founder of Room to Read a non profit organization that is providing entire libraries, schools, computer labs, educational scholarships and more to severely impoverished communities within Asia and Africa. Wood chronicles how a singular promise t
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Oct 02, 2010
Indigotulip
rated it:
As a book, decently written, typical business/entrepreneurial style: quick, direct, contains numbers and facts, some human interaction - enough to drive one to turn the pages. This is a book to read for being reminded that much of the world is illiterate, that girls & women are 2/3ds of the illiterate, that we in the US and the West have so much and a very little can make lifetimes of difference; that to educate a girl or woman educates and aides her, her family and the generations to follow.
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Jan 28, 2012
Aradweb
rated it:
A Truly Madly Deeply Inspirational Book I've read so far at least for me if not others.
It's all started with a sentence "Perhaps, sir , you will someday come back with books." and John Wood journey to change the world begin. On figuring out what's the best answer to "What Do You Do?" to The Name Game.
It really need a strong will for a men whom all this while have steady job & income willing to let go all of it just to begging for a donations. Above all the More...
It's all started with a sentence "Perhaps, sir , you will someday come back with books." and John Wood journey to change the world begin. On figuring out what's the best answer to "What Do You Do?" to The Name Game.
It really need a strong will for a men whom all this while have steady job & income willing to let go all of it just to begging for a donations. Above all the More...
Sep 17, 2010
Stephanie
rated it:
This was really interesting to read. I loved the message that even 1 person can make a huge difference and by huge, I truly mean huge. I am used to seeing bits about a successful fundraiser by a small group of people for a library or a one-time catastrophe... but this was remarkable.
One man and a small group of people have truly transformed the lives of many children in some of the poorest regions.
It was a plus that this book was infinitely readable... his style very easy on More...
One man and a small group of people have truly transformed the lives of many children in some of the poorest regions.
It was a plus that this book was infinitely readable... his style very easy on More...
Jul 01, 2009
Brian
rated it:
I loved the way the author related his changing perspective. He saw a problem and did something to change it one-on-one. Then he compares that effect in the world to what he does to make money and has to make decisions that cost him a great deal, yet transform the meaning of his life.
I found the results-based approach he uses as he builds one of my now-favorite charities reminiscent of Andrew Carnegie's work here in the States.
Several people I've discussed this book w More...
I found the results-based approach he uses as he builds one of my now-favorite charities reminiscent of Andrew Carnegie's work here in the States.
Several people I've discussed this book w More...
