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

John Wood ( YUE HAN WU DE )

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0670015431 ISBN 13: 9780670015436

Publisher: Penguin, 2013

Synopsis

Book by John Wood

About this title

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.

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 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

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0670015431
• ISBN 13: 9780670015436
• Binding: Paperback