Missions Resources - Bibliography
Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World
Authors: Bill Clinton
ISBN: 978-0307266743
Publisher: Knopf
Number of pages: 256
Type of cover: Hard Cover
Summary:
Every politician voices dreams for changing his or her town, county, state or country. Few dare to plan for the entire world. Bill Clinton has recently attempted this feat, and he just may have found the right answer.
In Giving, Bill Clinton uses his own experiences, as well as nongovernmental nonprofit organizations (NGOs) started by both the celebrity and lesser known givers to set a goal before each of his readers: “to give whatever you can, because everyone can give something.”
With a list long enough for a handy donation encyclopedia, Clinton tells the stories of countless effective charities, including the latest trends in social justice movements led by Oprah Winfrey, Bill and Melinda Gates and Bono from U2.
The book is broken up into giving “how-to” sections for time, money, and skills as well as informative sections on model gifts and key causes like reconciliation. The author adds practical pieces by condoning the giver’s role in the government and cautioning against giving at random, citing a case of tsunami relief in Sri Lanka where an overabundance of donations left a number of supplies spoiled or undelivered. He also accommodates each reader with numerous forms of giving, including EBay’s easy option of donating partial or entire sales to a charity of choice.
The author admits a good number of his readers do not fall into the same financial category as his list of celebrities, yet he fails to mention this within the first chapter, and allows the ongoing stories of millionaires to dominate his book. Giving is more of an encouragement to the celebrity crowd than it is an inspiration to a wider audience.
Clinton is still realistic about even big givers’ love of money. He quotes Bill Gates when he writes, “It may be harder to give this money away than it was to make it.” The rewards, he claims, are worth it, though he leaves the equation of happiness up to the reader and giver.
Although he uses his own stories of the Clinton Foundation, there is little insight into the heart of the author. Instead, Clinton writes in the same voice that was used from behind the podium. Giving has little Hallmark appeal. But perhaps this is the necessary effect for a more targeted audience.
And while the author may be easily accused of tooting his own horn, or using a publication for his family’s political means, his stories of effort and effect help readers to see that giving—whatever the amount—does and will make a difference. In keeping, the back of the book notes that a portion of its proceeds will go toward charities.
It makes no mention of God or Christian evangelism, but Clinton’s Giving is based on the biblical principle of giving as a life calling and grace as a habit. “[Another chance] is often all one person can give another,” he writes. “But it can make all the difference.”
by Shannon Whiting
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