| | |  | Microfinance | Home » » A Billion Bootstraps: Microcredit, Barefoot Banking, and The Business Solution for Ending Poverty | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | A bold manifesto by two business leaders, A Billion Bootstraps shows why microcredit is the world's most powerful poverty-fighting movement-and an unbeatable investment for your charitable donations. A Billion Bootstraps unearths the roots of the microcredit revolution, revealing how the pioneering work of people such as Dr. Muhammad Yunus-winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize-is giving hope to billions. Philanthropist and self-made millionaire Phil Smith and microcredit expert and consultant Eric Thurman provide a riveting narrative that explores how these small loans, arranged by “barefoot bankers,” enable impoverished people to start small businesses, support their families, and improve local economies. By paying back their loans instead of simply accepting handouts, men and women around the world are continually giving others the same opportunity to change their futures. Smith and Thurman also examine why traditional charity programs, while providing short-term relief, often perpetuate the problems they are trying to alleviate, and how applying investment principles to philanthropy is the key to reversing poverty permanently. A Billion Bootstraps explains how ordinary people can accelerate the microcredit movement by investing charitable donations in specific programs and then leveraging those contributions so the net cost to lift one person out of poverty is remarkably low. You'll discover how to get more for your money by donating with the mind-set of an investor and calculating measurable returns-returns that will change lives and societies forever. | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Philip Smith | | Hardcover:
| 224 pages | | Publisher:
| McGraw-Hill | | Publication Date:
| February 07, 2007 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0071489975 | | Product Length:
| 9.28 inches | | Product Width:
| 6.6 inches | | Product Height:
| 0.93 inches | | Product Weight:
| 1.14 pounds | | Package Length:
| 9.1 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.3 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.9 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.65 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 19 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 19 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
 A Compelling SummaryFeb 19, 2007
By Peter Greer
As a microfinance practitioner I have long struggled to find a book to recommend that succinctly summarizes the power of microfinance. It is easy to delve into the technical details and forget the fundamental reasons for how and why microfinance is lifting millions out of crushing poverty.
With A Billion Bootstraps I finally have it: a book that accurately, briefly, and compellingly summarizes this approach to poverty alleviation. I highly recommend it to those who would like an overall description of microfinance, an understanding of why it could be the most effective way of addressing poverty in today's world, and, most importantly, ways to get involved.
Peter Greer
President, HOPE International
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Permanent Solutions to PovertyFeb 19, 2007
By Jeff Rutt
I wish I had this book 14 years ago. I could have avoided a lot of mistakes and wasted effort as I tried vainly to "help the poor".
At that time, others from my church and I were seeking to assist low-income Ukrainians as they struggled to emerge from the ashes of the former Soviet Union. Over a few years we tried lots of things - from handouts to giving equipment to start a medium-size business. Nothing worked, until we discovered the power of microfinance - described so movingly in A Billion Bootstraps.
For anyone seeking to make a significant, lasting difference in the lives of thousands, even millions of people, this resource is a great place to start. I have found that microfinance provides permanent solutions to poverty. The authors of A Billion Bootstraps have shown that clearly.
Jeff Rutt
President, Keystone Custom Homes
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
making a difference beyond youFeb 22, 2007
By James D. Payne
"President/CEO PGS Companies"
The "micro-credit, banking, and business" subtitle may sound like a book for a retired economist or a smarter/richer person than you (it did me...): DO NOT BE FOOLED! Consider my subtitle: keys to making a difference beyond you ...
A motivating book, that will not only help you recognize the blessings in your life, but is guaranteed to challenge your current life position, purpose, direction, and effort(s). You will be driven to take action. Have you ever asked yourself "How can I really make a difference in a world with so many problems"? This book, in the first three chapters alone, will clearly answer that question and:
* Give you a clear and concise understanding of the needs of HURTING PEOPLE around the world, the need!
* Educated you with regards to several other methods people often choose in attempt to address the obvious need.
* Bring to the surface strong feelings of anger/pity/ignorance not for the hurting people, but for the people who have sold-out to mainstream approaches to ending poverty.
* Cause you to question if you are putting forth enough effort, efficient effort, or any meaningful effort at all?
* Regardless of the size of a contribution, should we not (being a good steward) make certain our giving/gifts/efforts are impacting as many hurting people as possible?
* Motivate you to look beyond the next charitable event/occasion or at least not leave your brain at coat-check.
Regardless of your self-worth or net-worth, either step-up and learn something or simply humble yourself to a new approach.
The solution to helping hurting people now seems obvious to me. Enjoy...
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Reality CheckFeb 22, 2007
By Carol Stigger
A Billion Bootstraps is right on the mark about microcredit, poverty, and the economics of this poverty solution. I am working with a grassroots microcredit organization in India, and I have worked in the microcredit field for 13 years. This is the only book I have found that I can hand to a layperson and know that by reading it they will understand what microcredit is all about and become as excited about the results as I am.
Yunus got the Nobel Prize for his pioneering work in microcredit. Smith and Thurman should be lauded for explaining how it works and why it works. Plus, it's a great read!
Carol Stigger
Nagpur, India
7 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 Its an overview of what microcredit is but not how to start oneSep 19, 2007
By Davemesaaaz
This is a good book in explaining what microcredit is and how to get involved, but not how to run a microcredit organization.
I preferred Mohammed Yunus (the noble prize winner) autobiography to this book it gave a better summary of what it is and explains how microcredit can work in the rural and inner city US which a Billion Bootstraps doubts can happen. In Yunus' book he demonstrates how microcredit has worked programs in urban Chicago and rural Arkansas.
See all 19 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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