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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
Fascinating story and inspirational man - he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I first heard Dr. Yunus at my university convocation. His ideas about micro lending are intriguing and exciting to me. I enjoyed the first two thirds of the book but ended up putting it aside for several months. When I picked it up to finish I remembered why I had put it down. While the idea of micro loans is exciting to me, Yunus’s writing wasn’t. The last third of the book was a bit of a slog to get through. I liked him when I heard him speak, but the tone of his writing seemed to be lacking humility and quite self-congratulatory. He lost me further when he started to get political. I feel like solving the world’s poverty issues should be something that transcends party lines.
However, the story of Grameen Bank and micro loans for the world’s poorest families is ultimately a story of hope and possibilities and that makes this book worth the time in my estimation.
However, the story of Grameen Bank and micro loans for the world’s poorest families is ultimately a story of hope and possibilities and that makes this book worth the time in my estimation.
finished. i thought it was great, and it really opened my eyes to the many benefits of microfinance. still, i sometimes was annoyed of his writing style, especially at the beginning of the book where he talked about himself a lot. i wonder if this happens with all autobiographies…i think it was a good idea for me to read it while i am simultaneously spending time out in the field with SIKAP borrowers, cause then it sorta helps reinforce what i read and what i see in the field. i was especially intrigued about the chapter in which he wrote about microfinance in the u.s. and other “developed” countries. good read :)
The message of this novel is inspirational, especially as someone studying finance I relate to Yunus's initial struggle of emphasizing theory that is very distant from reality and individuals. The novel provides Yunus's description of his journey to establishing Grameen bank. The journey is powerful and is enlightening to the impact that individuals can have in achieving social goals. Yunus describes the complicated and deep causes of poverty in a social, economic and cultural framework and describes how those barriers had to be combatted for the success of Grameen bank. The novel describes this journey and the wonderful progress of micro credit from a small village in Jobra to programs and conferences that expand globally. My favourite parts of this novel were the personal stories of women whose lives were impacted and improved, testament to the social change that Yunus was able to bring. Yunus also draws conclusions as to how social change can be brought in the future and he challenges institutions in an interesting way.
I do have concerns with the novel as well. I did come into my reading of this book expecting a memoir depicting the life events that led to the creation of Grameen and his journey bringing it to fruition. Although the message and content is present the delivery can come off as required reading for a course and less like a novel. Yunus occasionally depicts beautiful scenes from his life and showcases his writing ability but at other times simply reveals a series of facts that make the novel seem more like a business report on the Grameen business model. I do understand that he is providing these details for others to be able to understand and possibly replicate this model themselves but as someone reading more for literature than for research, it was a little dry.
Overall I would recommend this novel, especially for those who feel their careers and studies are distanced from real problems and people. It provides inspiration and hope about the possibility for betterment of the overall human condition and can provide inspiration to make changes in ones own life to contribute more socially for other groups. My only complaint is that the writing could have been more interesting.
I do have concerns with the novel as well. I did come into my reading of this book expecting a memoir depicting the life events that led to the creation of Grameen and his journey bringing it to fruition. Although the message and content is present the delivery can come off as required reading for a course and less like a novel. Yunus occasionally depicts beautiful scenes from his life and showcases his writing ability but at other times simply reveals a series of facts that make the novel seem more like a business report on the Grameen business model. I do understand that he is providing these details for others to be able to understand and possibly replicate this model themselves but as someone reading more for literature than for research, it was a little dry.
Overall I would recommend this novel, especially for those who feel their careers and studies are distanced from real problems and people. It provides inspiration and hope about the possibility for betterment of the overall human condition and can provide inspiration to make changes in ones own life to contribute more socially for other groups. My only complaint is that the writing could have been more interesting.
Banker to the poor is a history of the micro-lending projects that Mohammad Yunus devised in the 1970s. I was really interested by the concept of micro-lending as a means of enabling the poor and giving them a small financial platform from which they start a small business. It made me realise that this form of aid might be more effective than handouts and contributions made through large and bureaucratic organisations.
Talking of large and bureaucratic organisations, my favourite page of the book was the Yunus' reply to the question "what would he do if he became president of the world bank?". Don't want to spoil it but it's on p.147.
Though I greatly admire Yunus for his work to reduce poverty, I think the book is slightly repetitious and could have been much shorter. The chapters roll along from micro-lending in a small area of Bangladesh to micro-lending in a medium sized area of Bangladesh to micro-lending in a large area of Bangladesh etc. It seemed somewhat superfluous. Having said that, I'm sure many readers want as much detail as possible and want to see how the projects developed.
On a final note, Yunus has influenced me to think about how to donate money in the future and I appreciate that insight.
Talking of large and bureaucratic organisations, my favourite page of the book was the Yunus' reply to the question "what would he do if he became president of the world bank?". Don't want to spoil it but it's on p.147.
Though I greatly admire Yunus for his work to reduce poverty, I think the book is slightly repetitious and could have been much shorter. The chapters roll along from micro-lending in a small area of Bangladesh to micro-lending in a medium sized area of Bangladesh to micro-lending in a large area of Bangladesh etc. It seemed somewhat superfluous. Having said that, I'm sure many readers want as much detail as possible and want to see how the projects developed.
On a final note, Yunus has influenced me to think about how to donate money in the future and I appreciate that insight.
Really interesting book overall. At times I felt like Yunus was too excited and dedicated about the Grameen Bank to be honest about the challenges of micro lending (he continuously seemed to rush past those sections or somewhat glossing them), but it was still really interesting/inspiring to see how he structured the bank around community ownership and accountability. I didn’t agree with some of his views on governments not funding public goods, but definitely worth the read and I look forward to reading more on the subject.