Haiti After the Earthquake [Hardcover]

Paul Farmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 2011

On January 12, 2010 a massive earthquake laid waste to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, killing hundreds of thousands of people. Within three days, Dr. Paul Farmer arrived in the Haitian capital, along with a team of volunteers, to lend his services to the injured.

In this vivid narrative, Farmer describes the incredible suffering--and resilience--that he encountered in Haiti. Having worked in the country for nearly thirty years, he skillfully explores the social issues that made Haiti so vulnerable to the earthquake--the very issues that make it an "unnatural disaster." Complementing his account are stories from other doctors, volunteers, and earthquake survivors.

Haiti After the Earthquake will both inform and inspire readers to stand with the Haitian people against the profound economic and social injustices that formed the fault line for this disaster.

Editorial Reviews

Review

President Bill Clinton
“A gripping recollection of the quake’s ruin, chaos, and despair, and the story of remarkable persistence, hope, and love in the aftermath.  Once you’ve seen Haiti through Paul Farmer’s eyes, you’ll never see Haitians, or any of the world’s poorest people, quite the same way again.”

Adam Hochschild
“Profoundly moving....An urgent dispatch from the front by one of our finest warriors for social justice.  With eloquence and wisdom, Paul Farmer shows how we cannot fully comprehend one of the great natural disasters of history without understanding the man-made suffering that Americans and others have inflicted on Haiti.”

 

Madison Capital Times, July 14, 2011
“Through the sharing of his experiences and the essays of fellow relief workers and survivors, the book serves as both a first draft of history and a call to action for rebuilding a country devastated by natural and unnatural disasters… Farmer deftly tells the story of his multiple roles - doctor, administrator and diplomat... His writing remains accessible, revealing hope amid criticism and providing touches of humor in a unique personal narrative… "Haiti After the Earthquake" provides a relevant and engaging look into how Farmer sees the world. Readers will empathize with his anger over Haiti's suffering as well as appreciate his insistence that the disaster should open the way for serious development and rebuilding in a country long ignored.”

 

Financial Times, July 16, 2011
“Paul Farmer, doctor and aid worker, offers an inspiring insider’s view of the relief effort.”

 

Wyclef Jean, September 20, 2011

“The book accomplishes a sense of just keeping Haiti fresh in your mind. The disaster’s not over. They’re a people that have lost 250 million people, with 500,000 still living in tents. This book is a reminder of that.”

 

Review

“A gripping recollection of the quake’s ruin, chaos, and despair, and the story of remarkable persistence, hope, and love in the aftermath. Once you’ve seen Haiti through Paul Farmer’s eyes, you’ll never see Haitians, or any of the world’s poorest people, quite the same way again.”
       —President Bill Clinton (President Bill Clinton) --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 456 pages
• Publisher: PublicAffairs; First Edition edition (July 12, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586489739
• ISBN-13: 978-1586489731
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.6 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > History > Americas > Caribbean & West Indies > Haiti
  • #45 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Earthquakes & Volcanoes

More About the Author

Paul Farmer is UN's Deputy Special Envoy for Haiti and Chair of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard. He is also Professor of Anthropology at Harvard Medical School, chief of Social Medicine and Inequalities at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, and founding director of Partners In Health. Among his numerous awards and honors is the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's "genius award."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read July 12, 2011

By SMIRE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Farmer is never more so at the top of his game than now in the newly released Haiti after the Earthquake. Poignantly written, Farmer articulates his first hand account of the January 12th earthquake. With detailed descriptions of the redevelopment efforts in post earthquake Haiti, Farmer simultaneously calls attention to the broken and empty promises and efforts made by the international community while celebrating the heroic efforts of so many in the hours just after bagay la (the thing). Noting the unpreparedness of the international community for such a disaster, the reader is able to not only sympathize but feel the immense frustration that so many on the ground felt in those first few hours. The second half, equally moving and inspiring, is told from others' points of view and reveals the hopes and dreams for a Haiti built back better. A must read for anyone interested in Haiti and the redevelopment efforts, or for those frustrated with the seemingly slow pace of reconstruction who are looking for optimism amidst the crushing rubble.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking July 14, 2011

By John Ise

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

A heartbreaking account of the devastating earthquake that ripped Port-au-Prince. Farmer combines thoughtul analysis on policy and historic aspects that contributed to Haiti's precarious situation with on-the-ground accounts of the human deminsion of the tragedy. Sorrowful accounts that affect even the most harden. A great, and important, read.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars History Plus First Person Accounts of Collapse, Recovery, and the Road Ahead . . . Combined with Some Important Prescriptions August 16, 2011

By Donald Mitchell HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

"You have made the earth tremble;
You have broken it;
Heal its breaches, for it is shaking." -- Psalm 60:2 (NKJV)

Our church teams with its counterpart in Port-au-Prince to operate an orphanage there. Naturally, we've heard a lot about the terrible earthquake and its aftermath. In addition, our pastor has helped coordinate some relief activities as have some church members. They have added perspectives, too.

Because of the great respect I feel for Dr. Paul Farmer and his humanitarian work in Haiti and Rwanda, I thought it was important to find out what he recommends should be done in Haiti. I'm glad I did because he has provided a valuable document combining many perspectives on Haiti's history, its vulnerabilities, what happened during and after the earthquake, and prescriptions for how to build a better Haiti from the rubble and pain. My understanding greatly increased. I especially appreciated the comparisons to Rwanda, which is another nation that concerns me for which and for whose people I also regularly pray . . . as I do for Haiti and its people.

If you don't know any Haitians, you should get to know some. They are fine people who deal with problems in a patient way. They also want to create a better nation. And they can . . . but some changes are required.

It's not all heartwarming in the book. You'll read some things about some journalists and relief "workers" that may make you feel angry and sad. In addition, the scope of the misery and devastation portrayed (the reality, not a false perception) is broad and unrelenting.

But you can help make a difference.

Start by reading this book. Then, pick something you can do to help Haiti . . . and keep doing it for the rest of your life. I think you'll be glad that you did.