Creating Room to Read: A Story of Hope in the Battle for Global Literacy - Softcover

Wood, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0670015431 ISBN 13: 9780670015436

Publisher: Viking, 2013

Synopsis

What's happened since John Wood left Microsoft to change the world? Just ask six million kids in the poorest regions of Asia and Africa. In 1999, at the age of thirty-five, Wood quit a lucrative career to found the nonprofit Room to Read. Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as "the Andrew Carnegie of the developing world," he strived to bring the lessons of the corporate world to the nonprofit sector-and succeeded spectacularly.

In his acclaimed first book, Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, Wood explained his vision and the story of his start-up. Now, he tackles the organization's next steps and its latest challenges-from managing expansion to raising money in a collapsing economy to publishing books for children who literally have no books in their native language. At its heart, Creating Room to Read shares moving stories of the people Room to Read works to help: impoverished children whose schools and villages have been swept away by war or natural disaster and girls whose educations would otherwise be ignored.

People at the highest levels of finance, government, and philanthropy will embrace the opportunity to learn Wood's inspiring business model and blueprint for doing good. And general readers will love Creating Room to Read for its spellbinding story of one man's mission to put books within every child's reach.

About this title

Review

"[John Wood's] extraordinary enthusiasm [and] boldness...come through clearly. His legacy of libraries is one of which another role model - Andrew Carnegie - would no doubt have been proud, especially since Wood began with nothing like the same personal fortune."
--"Financial Times"
"Room to Read will show people they do not need to accept the forces of darkness....May the larger, smarter, more compassionate team win. I know which side will get my investment."
--"Pittsburgh Post-Gazette"
"John Wood is building a global movement around literacy and gender equality. Creating Room to Read offers a blueprint for transforming lives...and eventually the world."
--Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook and author of "Lean In"
"A refreshing reminder of the power of libraries--their ability to transform individual lives and strengthen communities."
--Melinda Gates
"An absorbing personal account of a remarkable achievement."
--"Kirkus Reviews"
"Wood's passion for literacy and education infuses every page. An inspiring read on the power of books."
--"Booklist"
"Just think what would happen if a couple hundred people followed his example."
--President Bill Clinton
"One of the legendary triumphs of philanthropy was Andrew Carnegie's construction of more than 2,500 libraries. Numerically, it has already been surpassed several times over by an American man you've probably never heard of. Wood is tireless, enthusiastic and emotional: a motivational speaker with no off button."
--Nick Kristof

[John Wood s] extraordinary enthusiasm [and] boldness come through clearly. His legacy of libraries is one of which another role model Andrew Carnegie would no doubt have been proud, especially since Wood began with nothing like the same personal fortune.
Financial Times
Room to Read will show people they do not need to accept the forces of darkness .May the larger, smarter, more compassionate team win. I know which side will get my investment.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
John Wood is building a global movement around literacy and gender equality. Creating Room to Read offers a blueprint for transforming lives and eventually the world.
Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook and New York Times bestselling author of Lean In
A refreshing reminder of the power of libraries their ability to transform individual lives and strengthen communities.
Melinda Gates
An absorbing personal account of a remarkable achievement.
Kirkus Reviews
Wood s passion for literacy and education infuses every page. An inspiring read on the power of books.
Booklist
"Just think what would happen if a couple hundred people followed his example."
President Bill Clinton
"One of the legendary triumphs of philanthropy was Andrew Carnegie's construction of more than 2,500 libraries. Numerically, it has already been surpassed several times over by an American man you've probably never heard of. Wood is tireless, enthusiastic and emotional: a motivational speaker with no off button."
Nick Kristof"

About the Author

John Wood worked for Microsoft for nine years and ran significant parts of the company's international business before quitting at age 35 to found the award-winning non-profit, Room to Read. Since its founding, Wood and Room to Read have established over 4,000 libraries, donated or published over 4 million books, built more than 400 schools, and funded nearly 4,000 longterm girls' scholarships--impacting the lives of more than one million children worldwide. The organization plans to expand to at least 20,000 libraries and schools by the year 2020. John strives to bring the lessons of the corporate world to the non-profit sector. he has been described by Fast Company magazine as "all heart, all business," and by the San Francisco Chronicle as "the Andrew Carnegie of the developing world." He has been selected as a "Young Global leader" by the World Economic Forum, is a recipient of the Draper Richards fellowship for social entrpreneurs and two Skoll Foundation awards for social entrepreneurship, and was selected by Time Magazine as one of its Asian Heroes. he is also a Henry Crown fellow of the Aspen Institute.

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0670015431
• ISBN 13: 9780670015436
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 320