Partner to the Poor: A Paul Farmer Reader (Volume 23)

Editor Haun Saussy has done a fine job of organizing this collection of some of Paul Farmer's diverse publications, placing the articles in contexts which will enhance the reader's appreciation. However, a reader could open "Partners to the Poor" at random, start reading and be inspired by Farmer's perspectives. Farmer's unique intelligence, deep morality and sharp humor are expressed on nearly every page. Moreover, the reader will want to know more, through Farmer's thoughts on the subsequent pages and through the reader's own reinvigorated thinking.Paul Farmer connects material and ideas from scientific, medical, sociological, anthropological, and literary fields, and from personal and professional experience on several continents over several decades, always privileging the perspectives of the poor thereby providing many fresh ways for readers to understand the relationship between the rich world and the poor world. And Farmer provides the reader with new ways to think about reducing inequalities between those two worlds.Many topics and descriptions of Farmer's patients' lives are heart-rending, but one also emerges joyful to be a human after being in Paul Farmer's written presence.

If you want a multidisciplinary approach to poverty from an anthropologist who is also an physician than this is the book for you. Farmer covers history, gender, medical diagnosis, food insecurity, religion, politics in both a professional/academic manner and with wonderful stories and biographies of those whom he has worked with and treated. This is a long read and the pages are packed with information. I made notes in both the front and back of my book with particular regards to the effects of poverty/sexism on women, Paul Farmer and his organization Partners in Health and general poverty/political/historical facts primarily from Haiti but also from other diverse places. I also know much more about the interaction of various diseases of the poor (HIV, TB, malaria). You will also learn how US and European colonialism have stripped countries like Haiti and Africa of their ability to be self-sufficient and continue to do so today.If you are working in the developing world then you need to read this book.

It takes about ten years for a human being to master a field. Paul Farmer has mastered the craft of providing medical care in resource-poor environments. He has also spent more than 10 years thinking and writing about social causes of diseases and of these environments.Dr. Farmer writes clearly and unsparingly about his experiences and about the changes he would like to see in the world. That poor people want to be healthy just as much as rich people. That social interventions such as healthy food and home visits (accompagnateurs) make measurable differences in outcomes. That a lot of "it won't work" arguments are really "we don't want to try" arguments.He mixes brutal realism -- stories about people whose lives go downhill until they die -- with unkillable optimism -- just do this, and this, and lots more people can lead healthy lives.Read this book. Then go out and do something.

I think this is an excellent anthology of his writings. I had read several of his books before and this is an excellent place to read excerpts and parts of his books through the years. If anyone wants to learn about Haiti I think Paul Farmer is amazing (for any non-local). Why his writings are so valuable is he shows how complex Haiti (or almost any society) is. One cannot address just one aspect of a society needing help, unless you address the underlying causes. He debunks myths. . So far everything I have seen through him and Partners in Health he is one hugely compassionate and educated people. Who (so far) does not have a swelled head. If you are interested in Haiti read this book.

This will be a short review, but as reviews are lacking for this new collection I thought I would throw in my two cents. This volume is fantastic as an introduction to Paul Farmer. It is comprehensive and less repetetive than some of his other published volumes (although there is still overlap in cases examples from work to work). The thematic sections greatly aid scholarship. Introductions to the sections and revision of many chapters make for a very solid volume. Recommend for any person in the medical profession and especially those interested in global, development, human rights, international law, or international policy.

Paul Farmer's work is extraordinary and inspiring, and this collection of his work is great, especially for those in Public Health/International medicine. For those who enjoyed Kidder's biography and want to know more, beware--Dr. Farmer's writing style is not an easy read. Sometimes the sentences are so convoluted and dense I read them out to my husband for a laugh! Still I enjoy having it on my shelf at work (HIV prevention health scientist) for a quick inspiration-escape.

This book brings to life realities of the multifaceted problem of health. Not only the way health is experienced and interpreted, but the complexities and determinants of health. It throws a much needed challenge to political processes underlying many of the health related problems facing marginalized groups. But most importantly ... it is easy reading.

A very interesting and informative book Very accessible. A great companion piece to read after Mountains beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. I found it compelling and inspiring. Made me go and give to Partners to the Poor before I even got into the meat of the book.