Recommended Reading
Introductions to Development, Africa, Non-Governmental Organisations and Economics
- The No-Nonsense Guide to International Development by Maggie Black
A concise examination of international development, its history and current challenges. Includes useful statistics. - Whose Reality Counts: Putting the First Last* by Robert Chambers
In this work, Robert Chambers, the forefather of participatory development approaches, calls on all development professionals to adopt new methods to interacting and learning that empower the world's poor. - Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda* by Lt.-General Roméo Dallaire
This powerful account of the genocide in Rwanda exposes the horrorific conflict that the international community stood back and ignored. - The Elusive Quest for Growth: Economists' Adventures and Misadventures in the Tropics by William Easterly
An interesting book about the econometric isolation of growth determinants. - Future Positive: International Cooperation in the 21st Century* by Michael Edwards
In his latest work, Edwards calls for a new international order in which intervention is replaced with international co-operation. - The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time* by Jeffrey Sachs
While many claim it an impossibility, Sachs's latest work not only asserts that the elimination of extreme poverty is possible, but that it can be accomplished by 2025. In this work he delineates how this can be achieved and what people living in the West can do to contribute. - Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher
Written in 1973, Schumacher pioneered the concept of low cost, appropriate, small-scale development ideas to help people to help themselves. - The No-Nonsense Guide to World Poverty by Jeremy Searbrok
Jeremy Searbrok looks at the broad effects of poverty worldwide and the inseperability of poverty and wealth. - Development As Freedom* by Amartya Sen
This groundbreaking work challenges popular understandings of development by explaining economic development not as an end, but rather a means to extending freedoms. - The Alms Bazaar: Altruism Under Fire by Ian Smillie
As the former head of CUSO, Ian Smillie examines international development NGOs—their historical evolution, the challenges they face and the lessons they have learned— and speculates on their future. - Mastering the Machine: Poverty, Aid and Technology by Ian Smillie
An introduction to to appropriate technologies—a must-read for anyone interested in EWB's work overseas and the role of western engineers in development. - Globalization and Its Discontents* by Joseph Stiglitz
This rare glimpse behind the doors of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund by Nobel Prize Winner Joseph Stiglitz, has provoked heated debate surrounding the role of these powerful institutions in development. - An Introduction to Economic Development by Michael Todaro
Historical Analysis
These three works offer divergent historical explanations for the current wealth disparities throughout the globe:
- Guns, Germs and Steel* by Jared Diamond
- Road to Riches by Peter Jay
- The Wealth and Poverty of Nations* by David Landes
Personal Stories & Memoirs
- Nine Hills to Nambonkaha by Sarah Erdman
Peace Corp volunteer, Sarah Erdman shares her experiences working in Côte d'Ivoire and recounts life, death, celebration and survival in the rural community of Nambonkaha. - Africa: Dispatches from a Fragile Continent by Blaine Harden
The African correspondent for the Washington Times for nearly a decade during the 1980s recounts the joys and frustrations of Africa, both at the macro and micro levels. - Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuscinski
A beautiful classic. - The World's Banker* by Sebastian Mallaby
Journalist Sebastian Mallaby recounts his years spent at the World Bank when James Wolfenson was President. This easy and engaging work reveals the inner-most-workings of the World Bank. - The Village of Waiting by George Packer
Written by George Packer, a Peace Corps volunteer,this work captures the challenges, beauty and joy of working West Africa. - Out of Poverty and Into Something More Comfortable* by John Stackhouse
Stackhouse, an award winning Globe and Mail reporter, spent the 1990s traveling to some of the poorest villages in South Asia and Africa where he wrote about the daily struggles of the communities he visited, powerfully describing the people who have gained a voice and control over their own lives as they struggle out of poverty.
Books marked by * can usually be found at your local bookstore. Others can be purchased from:
Do you have books to recommend? Email your suggestions to info@ewb.ca.
