When Helping Hurts

Short Review: I have heard a lot of people talk about this book since it came out in 2009. The basic point is that we need to evaluate our methods of assisting the poor and make sure that they are helping the poor and not just making us feel better. So there is an emphasis in long term, relationally based assistance and less on short term emergency assistance. On the whole I think the book is right. My main complaint is that the book is overly negative in presentation about what is currently happening and the state of global development around the world. Yes, certainly many things can be done better. And I think the book is rightly skeptical of the huge rise in short term missions trips. But I think things are much better globally than presented. We are as a percentage at the lowest global extreme poverty rate in history. Huge strides have been made in lowering infant mortality and preventable diseases. Yes there are still way too many people that are poor and yes I agree that many poverty programs do little to actually empower the poor or make long term changes. But the tone of the book is that almost no one does anything right. And that is just not true.

For a much longer (around 1500 word) review you can look at my blog at http://bookwi.se/when-helping-hurts/

I recommend the book, I just wish it wasn't as negative.