misterfix's review against another edition
4.0
Delivers what it sets out in the title but the author seems to be missing the fire in his belly to confront the individuals and organizations that cause/caused the suffering that followed the earthquake. Understandably he is now responsible for a large organization and congested with the UN and must balance a number of conflicting agendas and accept certain compromises for the greater good. The additional essays offer a key balance to his perspective and their inclusion demonstrate not only his intelligence but also his character. highly recommend that you also read some of his earlier books related to Haitian history.
audaciouskay's review against another edition
3.0
Good overall, but quite redundant. The book could've been condensed to 1/2 it's length and still have the same impact.
spiderfelt's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a broad analysis of the international process begun to fund and coordinate relief and reconstruction. The amount of process involved in obtaining $6 billion in pledges of support, let alone planning how that money will be used in a way that is fiscally sound, is staggering. Reading about this process was dry, for someone not involved in public policy. And yet, I couldn't give up on the book. I was hooked. How far would the story go?
In the end, I was left wondering what has happened since it was published in 2011? The fact that I was unsatisfied with the book, is a reflection of the time it took me to read it, not a failing of the author. I want to see how many of the goals set out in the book as the partners imagined building back better have begun. Listening to the reports of destruction from Hurricane Matthew this week, I wonder how far the progress will be set back.
Also, listening to the audiobook, I desperately wanted more of the Haitian authors to read in Creole. I wanted more stories by Haitians. I was certainly hoping for more of stories, less of a policy manual.
In the end, I was left wondering what has happened since it was published in 2011? The fact that I was unsatisfied with the book, is a reflection of the time it took me to read it, not a failing of the author. I want to see how many of the goals set out in the book as the partners imagined building back better have begun. Listening to the reports of destruction from Hurricane Matthew this week, I wonder how far the progress will be set back.
Also, listening to the audiobook, I desperately wanted more of the Haitian authors to read in Creole. I wanted more stories by Haitians. I was certainly hoping for more of stories, less of a policy manual.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
dark
informative
slow-paced
2.0
I did not really enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. I felt like it was quite drawn out. The earthquake and aftermath were devastating to this little island. It must be very hard to live unprotected in the middle of the ocean where you are subject to this type of struggle at any moment. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis... and to be in a place where you do not have supplies or money or sewage that is working or even a standing house... what a hardship.
erintby's review against another edition
4.0
It’s crazy to me that the tremendous human suffering that followed Haiti’s earthquake happened while I was in high school, and yet I was only vaguely aware of it. This is an interesting book because it was published so soon after the earthquake, still early in the recovery process. Like any Paul Farmer book, I appreciate his frank analysis. He discusses how the global disaster response community, like the global health experts, has been socialized for scarcity. If anyone knows that the “global resource pie” is not as small or rigid as it is often portrayed, it’s Farmer and PIH. In discussing Haiti’s recovery path, Farmer asks whether long-term health and development challenges can be addressed—including building an education system, clean water, roads, and food security, rather than just short-term, “cost-effective” band-aids. His answer: “of course we can, with innovation and resolve and a bolder vision than has been registered in decades.” It may seem hopeless at times, but knowing the history of Partners In Health and all they’ve been able to accomplish regarding the global shift towards treatment for MDRTB and AIDS patients, it really is possible to have hope.
Of course, understanding the history of Haiti and its oppression is critical to understanding why the earthquake was so devastating. Paul Farmer and Evan Lyon (in an essay included in the Other Voices section) are clear about the fact that the devastating catastrophe that Haiti experienced was an unnatural disaster, triggered by a natural event (the 7.0 earthquake), but made what it was because of “an absolutely unnatural vulnerability created in Haiti by centuries of political, economic, environmental, and social forces” (Lyon, p. 325). Or, as Farmer often refers to it with medical terminology, it was an acute-on-chronic crisis. They also make a compelling case for why a much, much higher percentage of global aid following the earthquake (what was actually dispersed, rather than just pledged) needed to be directed to the public sector, rather than primarily to a haphazard collection of uncoordinated NGOs. PIH is all about public-private partnerships, but they understand that there are certain human rights (i.e. health care) that can only be conferred by the public sector.
Overall, it was an interesting read, though I probably would've only given it 3 stars until I got to the "Other Voices" sections. I really appreciated these essays and perspectives, especially Didi Bertrand Farmer’s.
It has been amazing to see that the Mirebalais hospital was completed and opened in 2013, but I would really be interested in a 10-year update or Afterword added to this book, to hear Farmer’s and others’ analysis on how recovery from the earthquake and cholera epidemic has continued. But, if you aren’t specifically interested in the Haiti earthquake and are looking to learn more about PIH’s global health work in general, definitely start with “Pathologies of Power” (2005) or “Reimagining Global Health” (2013). This second one actually has a section on the Haiti earthquake as well.
Of course, understanding the history of Haiti and its oppression is critical to understanding why the earthquake was so devastating. Paul Farmer and Evan Lyon (in an essay included in the Other Voices section) are clear about the fact that the devastating catastrophe that Haiti experienced was an unnatural disaster, triggered by a natural event (the 7.0 earthquake), but made what it was because of “an absolutely unnatural vulnerability created in Haiti by centuries of political, economic, environmental, and social forces” (Lyon, p. 325). Or, as Farmer often refers to it with medical terminology, it was an acute-on-chronic crisis. They also make a compelling case for why a much, much higher percentage of global aid following the earthquake (what was actually dispersed, rather than just pledged) needed to be directed to the public sector, rather than primarily to a haphazard collection of uncoordinated NGOs. PIH is all about public-private partnerships, but they understand that there are certain human rights (i.e. health care) that can only be conferred by the public sector.
Overall, it was an interesting read, though I probably would've only given it 3 stars until I got to the "Other Voices" sections. I really appreciated these essays and perspectives, especially Didi Bertrand Farmer’s.
It has been amazing to see that the Mirebalais hospital was completed and opened in 2013, but I would really be interested in a 10-year update or Afterword added to this book, to hear Farmer’s and others’ analysis on how recovery from the earthquake and cholera epidemic has continued. But, if you aren’t specifically interested in the Haiti earthquake and are looking to learn more about PIH’s global health work in general, definitely start with “Pathologies of Power” (2005) or “Reimagining Global Health” (2013). This second one actually has a section on the Haiti earthquake as well.
timhoiland's review against another edition
4.0
Few would argue with the fact that what followed Haiti’s devastating earthquake in January 2010 was one of the most widespread showings of sympathy and humanitarian support in recent memory. What is up for debate, however, is why rebuilding efforts haven't made more progress as we near the quake's two-year anniversary.
In Haiti After the Earthquake, anthropologist and medical doctor Paul Farmer affirms that this outpouring of compassion indeed saved countless lives, but he also addresses the deeper problem of what he calls the "history of the present illness" – a history marked by the scars of slavery, foreign occupation, dictatorship, and a slew of disasters both natural and otherwise. Complementing Farmer's writing is a collection of essays by several others – many of them Haitian – which allows for an illuminating range of perspectives...
- See more at: http://tjhoiland.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Hoiland-Jan-Feb2012-PRISM-FarmerReview.pdf
In Haiti After the Earthquake, anthropologist and medical doctor Paul Farmer affirms that this outpouring of compassion indeed saved countless lives, but he also addresses the deeper problem of what he calls the "history of the present illness" – a history marked by the scars of slavery, foreign occupation, dictatorship, and a slew of disasters both natural and otherwise. Complementing Farmer's writing is a collection of essays by several others – many of them Haitian – which allows for an illuminating range of perspectives...
- See more at: http://tjhoiland.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Hoiland-Jan-Feb2012-PRISM-FarmerReview.pdf
discoveringpeace's review against another edition
4.0
A stunning account of the aftermath of the earthquake tends to get lost among the minutiae of reporting. As a result, Farmer's warmth is lost. The personal accounts from other authors were moving. The history included of Haiti is fascinating. While the book reads like more of an accounting to an agency, for those interested in public health and humanitarian aid, it is truly a gem.
philippelazaro's review against another edition
3.0
“I said, "Nég Mawon toujou kanpé!!" —the free man is still standing!! And she replied, powerfully. "Cheri, Nég Mawon p'ap jamn krazé" —my dear, the free man will never be broken.”
–Paul Farmer
Few people have a handle on the complicated nation of Haiti the way Paul Farmer does. And after the earthquake much of what we previously knew was upended or intensified.
This is a great book at starting to process the post-2010 challenges that the country faces. It's full of challenging moments and on the ground moments that speak to resilience.
–Paul Farmer
Few people have a handle on the complicated nation of Haiti the way Paul Farmer does. And after the earthquake much of what we previously knew was upended or intensified.
This is a great book at starting to process the post-2010 challenges that the country faces. It's full of challenging moments and on the ground moments that speak to resilience.
bexjaunes's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
Really interesting look into public health policy and humanitarian aid — lessons learned in Haiti can be transferred elsewhere