Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder Essay -- Mountains Beyond M

There are people existing among us with a special singularity or characteristic that makes them stand out above the masses. They are heroes in a sense, who perform great acts of sacrifice and promote hope when it seems that the last send away of faith has evaporated from ones soul. These individuals remind us of saints who walked before us, healing and caring for the sick and destitute when no other man dared. Author, Tracy Kidder (2004), brings to the forefront the impressive deeds of a modern day saint, Paul Farmer, through his writing in Mountains beyond Mountains. He illustrates how a single man can lead nations toward healing, even in the midst of war, turmoil, limited resources, or mountains of bureaucratic red tape. Although the book tells a story about Farmers life, academic achievements, and international contributions toward curing infectious diseases, the main theme, as illustrated by the book title, is that no matter what a person does, there is always more to b e done. Beyond the hills and valleys of Farmers journey, Kidder (2004) provides scenes of leadership styles along the way. Is a leader born or is leadership learned? A review of Paul Farmers mission, through the eyes of the author, may provide insight to support both philosophies.Kidder is an accomplished writer. Having been educated at Harvard and University of Iowa, and having served as a lieutenant in Vietnam (Twenty12fttrees, 2010), he brings research and experience together creating a soul-searching composition in Mountains Beyond Mountains. He is well versed and extremely credible having dedicated so much time immersing himself in the midst of Farmers journey. Not only does he take time to review and research Farmers published work, he travels across tim... ...ity through medicine, but Kidder (2004) allows the reader to see that Farmer may be curing humanity on many levels by creating an environment in impoverished locations where malnourishment and disease need not exi st where life doesnt have to end early where safety and elementary needs are met, and where individuals are given a more conducive environment from which leaders can emerge.Works CitedKidder, T. (2004). Mountains Beyond Mountains. New York, NY Random phratry Publishing Group.Popple, P. R, & L. Leighninger. (2011). Social Work, Social Welfare, and American Society. Boston, MA Pearson Education, Inc.Stohr, M. K, & P. Collins. (2009). Criminal Justice Management. Oxford, NY Oxford University Press, Inc.Twenty12fttrees (2010). About Tracy Kidder. Tracykidder.com. Retrieved Oct. 23, 2011, from http//www.tracykidder.com/about.php