unreal: Adventures of a Family's Global Life

by Phil McDonald

Stalked by lions, charged by rhinos, and chased by pirates, Phil McDonald has lived a life of adventure working overseas. Typhoid, malaria, riots, coups, and rebel soldiers were part of normal life. For his children, any day could be a grand field trip. While unreal might read like a thriller, this memoir is more than an adventure story. The author recounts ninety events, highlights sixty lessons, from over thirty years of experience. The dirty little secret of humanitarian work in the developing world was a sobering discovery--centuries of handouts created enormous dependency that restricted personal growth and destroyed dignity. McDonald began as an overseas professor and now mentors social entrepreneurs. If you are drawn to adventure, to travel, and what it's like to raise a family in an amazing environment, enjoy this read. Discover how to navigate danger, manage fear, and cope with loss. Embrace the hope, laugh at the ups and downs, and revel in the extravagant diversity and courage of inspiring partners who will change you forever.

Genres: Memoir

426 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2019

About the author

Phil McDonald is president of Leader Empowerment And Development, Inc. (LEAD), an American nonprofit that empowers leaders in the developing world through education and social entrepreneurship. With work experience in thirty-eight countries, the author has helped set up or empower more than 150 overseas development projects on five continents. Projects included hospitals, clinics, orphanages, community centers, schools, businesses, farms, plantations, and factories. His current priority is helping social enterprises, bringing hope and dignity to his field partners. Phil earned a Ph.D. in International Education from Michigan State University and specialized in national planning, policy analysis, and development economics. His wife Rebecca is founder and CEO of Women At Risk International, Inc. (WAR), a leader in the fight against human trafficking. The McDonalds live in Michigan, have four adult children and seven grandchildren.

Reviews

[Lisa E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly this isnt my normal type of book. I picked it up as a promising change of pace and I'm glad I did! Phil is a storyteller. He weaves together the sometimes harrowing, funny, scary, sad, but almost always moving stories of a life nobody would imagine on their own. Phil drives an increasing awareness of why handouts are far less successful than helping people help themselves, and provokes you to spend just a portion of your time doing that too.

[Jayne Bartrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read especially for those who agreed with Trevor Noah / Born a Crime when reminding the reader about give a man a fish-teach a man to fish, give him a fishing pole! This narrative gives real life examples and guidelines for empowering marginalized people around the world. Page-turner. Also made me think of Max Lucado’s Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a supporter and fan of Becky McDonald's organization, Women At Risk International (WAR), for several years, so when I saw that her husband was writing a book, I had to read it. An absolute delight of a book - Phil writes with honesty and experience, empowering both the people he has served for decades and the readers of his book.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

p. 64, "A soulmate won't let success go to your head, failure go to your heart, fear go to your confidence, nor loss go to your soul."
p. 312, "A soul mate's love protects you from yourself, especially when your dreams fall apart."
p. 369, "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forward." Soren Kierkegaard
p. 393-394, "When you face a future with passion and purpose together, the storms are worth it. A storm will go away and the sun will rise again. If you don't follow your passion , but shoot for nothing, then you'll hit it every time. To me, that's not a legacy. I'd rather venture out and dance in the rain with you."
p. 395, "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life in the world." Sarah Ven Breathnach

[Susan Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. McDonald's "journey memoir" of his life with his family and 30+ year career abroad doing international development work is often engaging and insightful. It's filled with adventures and lessons learned ... from time spent in the Central African Republic, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and elsewhere. I found his work project accomplishments & the difference he & his wife made in people's lives with education and job opportunities inspiring and noteworthy. Thanks much to the McDonalds.

[Jessica Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating, inspiring, fast-paced summary of the author’s family life and career while living and working abroad. I really enjoyed the lessons that he outlines in the book. These lessons are ones that he learned along the way while working with so many different cultures and people. I especially liked learning about Women at Risk (WAR) as I am a new customer and have found the work fascinating. My new gourd nativity Christmas ornament has a special meaning for me and now that’s increased since I’ve read the backstory on WAR. This easy to read and adventuresome memoir is a memorable one!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7-ish stars
This book could've used an editor, but, that aside, I had trouble putting this down. Not only was it incredibly entertaining, but it challenged me as a person, as I also am very drawn to international work and cross-cultural relationships. I thought WAR was going to be a main player in this, but I didn't realize WAR wasn't even started until more recently, so that makes sense now. (I do hope Rebecca writes her own account :))

[Deb Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story of one family's impact and adventures around the globe.