Reading: The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty

I have just finished reading The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty by Peter Singer. I can't remember exactly how I heard about this book, but I have become more interested in learning more about what goes on around the world and, when possible, how to improve upon it.

Another book that fits this bill is Where We Have Hope: A Memoir of Zimbabwe. Where We Have Hope chronicles a journalist's time in Zimbabwe as Mugabe's regime takes over the country, ultimating forcing journalists out of the country so that the country's rampant corruption isn't reported on (at least from the inside its borders). It's another book that I highly recommend.

Unlike Where We Have Hope, The Life You Can Save does not focus on a single nation's plight. Instead, it takes on global poverty and argues that those who are relatively wealthy have an obligation to help those who live in absolute poverty. While it's a short book at less than 200 pages, Singer makes compelling arguments that those with means are obliged to give to those in need around the world. Singer also makes it clear that despite claims that "you can save hundreds of children with just $1", it will take more than minimal giving to create self-sustaining communities through charity.

I found the book, and Singer's arguments, very convincing. I have always been a bleeding heart, but I've never made significant donations to causes that would make a difference. My tendency has always been to give locally, but I realize now that even the poor in the U.S. are significantly better off than those in the poorest of foreign nations. I have already made it a goal to contribute $1001 (or more) to charity, but I now have a better understanding of where my money will be best spent. Singer cites several organizations that do amazing work and using these as my jumping off point, I will research and make a plan of action for my donations.