John Wood’s Creating Room to Read: A Story of Hope in the Battle for Global Literacy picks up from his previous book, Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey to Educate the World’s Children, and documents the successes and trials of the Room to Read non-profit that works to build libraries and foster gender equality in global literacy. He retells the formation of Room to Read so that the reader need not be familiar with the previous book and discusses how the program only works with input from the communities they help and how he and his employees bring a business mindset to non-profit work in the hope of making the most direct changes. Wood draws upon a wealth of evidence to demonstrate how education, specifically literacy, directly benefits people around the developing world, both in terms of what types of employment they can make and in how long they may expect to live. He draws upon his old boss Steve Ballmer’s methods, specifically the idea of Get Shit Done, to argue for making bold decisions. Wood also demonstrates how the things that make a company like Room to Read work are not necessarily cash donations, but things that foster access and cut overhead. The story is both inspiring and thought-provoking as Wood’s story is sure to resonate with readers looking to make a difference with what time they have on this world. ( )

Read this last May. Inspiring in a very practical way. ( )

You can read my full review at Quieted Waters.

John Wood’s first trip to Nepal opened his eyes to a vicious cycle: When people are poor, they cannot afford good education; but as long as people have no education, they will always be poor. A Nepalese school administrator uttered the words that would haunt Wood’s mind, driving him to begin the movement known as Room to Read: “Perhaps, sir, you will someday come back with books.”

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"Creating Room To Read" chronicles John Wood's journey with Room to Read. He shares his life and the stories of various children. He also shares his vision and desire for every child to be able to read and have books. Thus, promoting global literacy.

I am inspired by his heart, devotion and sacrifice. I truly believe he and his team at Room To Read are doing an amazing job in changing the lives of so many children worldwide.

To read more, please visit http://www.ordinaryservant.com/?p=1720. ( )

"Creating Room To Read" chronicles John Wood's journey with Room to Read. He shares his life and the stories of various children. He also shares his vision and desire for every child to be able to read and have books. Thus, promoting global literacy.

I am inspired by his heart, devotion and sacrifice. I truly believe he and his team at Room To Read are doing an amazing job in changing the lives of so many children worldwide.

To read more, please visit http://www.ordinaryservant.com/?p=1720. ( )