Reviews for Focus on Living: Portraits of Americans with HIV and Aids

The average rating for Focus on Living: Portraits of Americans with HIV and Aids based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2016-04-12 00:00:00 Alexander Haun From this book I learned something I had begun to see for myself: development assistance and aide to the third world doesn't work. Dichter provides ample proof of this, using eighteen case studies and a wealth of personal experience, and suggests a number of explanations, one of which is the fact that aide organizations spend a major percentage of their budget on over-paid consultants instead of actually doing something useful with the money they have. Although it sounds utterly depressing, this book provides a great deal of information and realism for those of us who've been a part of the development world in some way and gives shape the the experiences we've had, as well. The only major criticism I have of the book is the lack of a proposed solution. Pointing out and explaining problems is useful, but a way forward is essential, as well.

Review # 2 was written on 2016-03-24 00:00:00 Donna Budlong A fascinating account of the author's experience in development work - from PCV to PC Country Director to USAID and the World Bank. A must read for those of us working in this field who actually care about what we may or may not be achieving.