“A bible in its field,” Nicholas Kristof, The New York Times
What business entrepreneurs are to the economy, social entrepreneurs are to social change. They are, writes David Bornstein, the driven, creative individuals who question the status quo, exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up–and remake the world for the better.
How to Change the World tells the fascinating stories of these remarkable individuals–many in the United States, others in countries from Brazil to Hungary–providing an In Search of Excellence for the social sector. In America, one man, J.B. Schramm, has helped thousands of low-income high school students get into college. In South Africa, one woman, Veronica Khosa, developed a home-based care model for AIDS patients that changed government health policy. In Brazil, Fabio Rosa helped bring electricity to hundreds of thousands of remote rural residents. Another American, James Grant, is credited with saving 25 million lives by leading and “marketing” a global campaign for immunization. Yet another, Bill Drayton, created a pioneering foundation, Ashoka, that has funded and supported these social entrepreneurs and over a thousand like them, leveraging the power of their ideas across the globe.
These extraordinary stories highlight a massive transformation that is going largely unreported by the media: Around the world, the fastest-growing segment of society is the nonprofit sector, as millions of ordinary people–social entrepreneurs–are increasingly stepping in to solve the problems where governments and bureaucracies have failed. How to Change the World shows, as its title suggests, that with determination and innovation, even a single person can make a surprising difference. For anyone seeking to make a positive mark on the world, this will be both an inspiring read and an invaluable handbook. It will change the way you see the world.
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“Wonderfully hopeful and enlightening…. The stories of these social entrepreneurs will inspire and encourage many people who seek to build a better world.”
– Nelson Mandela
“The social entrepreneurs chronicled in this book are part of the vital generation of independent, creative leaders who are sparking social changes in the United States and in parts of the world where people are most in need. We will be hearing much more from them in the years to come.”
– Bill Bradley
Former U.S. Senator
“Human progress has always been led by visionary individuals who seek a better future and dedicate their lives to realizing that promise. These social entrepreneurs tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges with grit and determination. Bornstein has given us that rarest of gifts: a book about hope, courage, and the power of those extraordinary men and women who change the world.”
– Jeff Skoll
Founder and Chairman, Skoll Foundation
First President of eBay
“David Bornstein’s book will touch the hearts and minds of many. I hope it will get the wide readership it deserves. Without the effort and energy of civil society the odds are against the fulfillment of all the development needs of today’s world, especially the developing world. Pick up a copy and spread the word!”
– Arminio Fraga
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil
Working in social entrepreneurship I have found this book so insipiring! Well done…Looking forward to see it translated in italian!!
[…] The book is How to Change the World by David Bornstein. […]
[…] How to change the world is very simply put, a compendium of social entrepreneurship stories across the world. Like the subtext on the cover of the book says, it is a bible in the field (NY Times reviewed it thus). It is a must-read if you are interested in social entrepreneurship. I would rate the book a 8 out of 10. I’ll explain where I thought the book fell short. Here is a summary of the chapters of the book. […]
Amazingly inspiring book.
Thanks a lot for that!
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[…] global director for Africa, and author of the Timbuktu Chronicles) and David Bornstein (author of How to Change the World. After being chosen by these three judges, the winner of the competition will receive a free […]
Thanks for the good book.I´m empreendidor at Mozambique.
I think we all need to unite under one leader if we want to change the world. I will hopefully get this book soon.
This is an insightful story. i recommend it to anyone