An Accident of Geography: Compassion, Innovation and the Fight Against Poverty

by Richard C. Blum, Thomas C. Hayes

Amazon Bestseller Advances in global development have helped lift hundreds of millions of people from poverty in recent decades, but major challenges in fighting poverty remain. Billions of people continue to have little or no access to the basic necessities of clean water, food, shelter, education, and medical care. The random location of their birthplace limited much of what is possible in many of their lives. Yet legions of dedicated people today are proving that with the right approaches and resources, disciplined efforts to fight poverty can succeed—and with greater scale and impact than ever. In An Accident of Geography, author Richard C. Blum profiles many of them while narrating his inspiring personal story—accomplished private-equity investor especially in Asia, humanitarian, public policy advocate, and creator of an unprecedented, multidisciplinary curriculum in poverty and development studies that has attracted thousands of students on the ten campuses of the University of California and beyond. Blum offers practical guidance on what works giving poor people a greater voice in the field and applying key principles of 21st-century management, engineering, and development philanthropy. Put your accident of geography to work in helping others, and yourself Be the change maker you see in the mirror. All author proceeds from the sale of An Accident of Geography will be donated to projects advancing global development.

Genres: Nonfiction, Economics

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2016

Reviews

[Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring read showing how Richard Blum applied the lessons he learned from a very successful career in investing to the worlds of international development (through the American Himalayan Foundation, which he founded) and public education (as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of California). Makes me proud to work at his firm and call him my partner.

[Edgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shared insight and social engagement in how to best approach inequality, and poverty around the world.

It all starts with Richard Blum's personal journey growing up in San Francisco and eventually being a well established financier. With his gained knowledge, he navigates his way to helping the poor in various countries that included Nepal. Over the year's his connections with the Dalai Lama to foreign dignitaries from China helped him learn how to best serve the poor in the countries he helps. One small step at a time.

I found the book to be engrossing in the stories he shares and mentoring individuals to excel in ways they never thought would be possible. It makes me want to bring it up a notch in my own personal motivation to help others where I can. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone and help where we can with the knowledge we ourselves have attained. All. Makes. Sense.

[Sarah Bartle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this book - but it just seemed to read like a slightly arrogant list of achievements and relationships that Richard Blum has made. You can’t fault what he has done with his financial successes, as it really is impressive and he has helped thousands of people across the globe so no credit removed there. There’s just little story to the book and I got bored and couldn’t wait to finish it. The first and last chapters are by far the best - hearing about his adventures trekking in Nepal and then learning of the stories of the alumni for the Blum centre in UC.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get Involved, Do Something!!

Blum’s Book is a call to action. We all have something to contribute to solving the World’s problems, are we using the opportunity effectively?

While I may not agree with everything politically, Blum’s observations are astute, compelling & action-oriented. Regardless of your views or politics, this is worth a read as it will challenge you to look at what you can contribute to making the world more equal, harmonious & innovative.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez]

I requested this on NetGalley as I thought I'd enjoy it as I have a Geogrraphy degree. Richard C. Blum has achieved a lot and helped lots of people. I found the book too long in parts although I am fascinated by helping people and different subjects related to poverrty and social inequality.

Thanks to Richard C. Blum and publisher for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

3 stars

[Elizabeth Warfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

An impressive life story and financier as well as philanthropist. I found the book a bit too long. Although I agree with his listening to the needs of the local communities when providing philanthropy, I found, as a practitioner, his treatment of foreign aid a bit naive, especially given that his wife was Senator Dianne Feinstein.

[Rafa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of blablablaa from the autor no how great the y are but the book has interesting points and stories and examples, also call your attention about the issues in Tibet and Nepal, make you interested to find out more about it and Buddhism

[Sunny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like. Not well written - co-author? Read like a list, without any emotional cohesion.

[Kalimah Priforce · Rating 1 out of 5]

It sucked - big time. Disappointing purchase.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book an a reminder of how much poverty remains in the world and some of the innovative ways it can be alleviated. The author is the husband of Diane Feinstein, and an an investment banker with a long tradition of philanthropic work, especially in Tibet and Nepal.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an educator, I enjoyed the behind the scenes look at the Blum Center at Berkeley and how its faculty and students work together to understand and alleviate global poverty. I will recommend this book to students who are interested in how individual and communal efforts can make a difference in reducing poverty, especially those interested in the interdisciplinary study of the complex factors that influence poverty levels worldwide.. I think many will be inspired to devise and implement their own projects and to seek out educational experiences such as those provided at Berkeley. Perhaps not surprising, I found the business-related sections of the book less compelling. #NetGalley

[Deborah Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting memoir by Richard C. Blum. Apart from the "I love me; I'm so great business sections," I enjoyed learning about Blum's efforts in the fight against poverty. Learning about the Blum Center at the University of California and the Global Poverty and Practice minor along with the students coming up with innovative solutions to help solve problems in poor communities in the U.S. and elsewhere give me hope that we can drastically eliminate poverty.

[Cassiopeia's Moon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to DNF this book. It is the first time ever I'm DNFing a book, but I just don't want to push myself through this one. I had high hopes, but there were much more economy talk than I had hoped for. When I picked this up I thought it would tell more about Fighting Poverty in countries the way it did in the beginning. I wanted stories from those countries. Not stories of how the University of California became leading and did great research for the fight.

[Molar Roller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely superb book. Dick Blum has literally done a world of good in his lifetime.
I believe one would change their personal outlook on giving and understanding the poor populations of the world after reading this book. Put this one high on your reading list.
JML, DDS

[Ray Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first few chapters with enthusiasm. Then the book seemed to digress into a narration of accomplishments of a more personal nature. There can be no doubt that Richard Blum compassionately recognizes needs and has wisely used his talents for greater good in ways most humans could not. He has very generously shared his personal wealth in caring productive ways. and for that I have endless admiration. But I did not acquire the book to read about his money making and organizational talents. And I learned all I wanted to know about the good he has generously accomplished in the first 3 or 4 chapters. The remainder of the book was superfluous, at least to me.