| |
|
|
Alumni are invited to join the rest of the Oswego State
community in reading Tracy Kidder's Mountains
Beyond Mountains, the story of doctor and anthropologist
Paul Farmer's quest to solve world epidemics. The book
is the Oswego Reading Initiative selection for campus-wide
perusal this summer and discussion in the next academic
year.
"In this excellent work, Pulitzer Prize winner
Kidder immerses himself in and beautifully explores
the rich drama that exists in the life of Dr. Paul Farmer,"
Publishers Weekly wrote in a starred review of the 2003
bestseller. "Throughout, Kidder captures the almost
saintly effect Farmer has on those whom he treats."
Associate Provost Rhonda Mandel said Farmer's quest
to combat diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis in
impoverished countries provides "a very compelling
story" that is readable and thought provoking.
It also will tie in with a range of special events.
"It's about someone who came from humble beginnings,
extreme poverty, and now dedicates himself to world
health," she said. "There's something really
compelling about the notion that one person can make
a difference."
Along the way, Kidder's book suggests that eliminating
epidemics will not be possible without addressing the
poverty at the root of the conditions that cause them,
Mandel said.
"You can't walk away from the book without a better
understanding of the world," she said. "It's
going to be eye opening for a lot of students, I think."
The ORI committee continues to work on developing a
variety of programming that will complement the book.
Kidder will give a keynote lecture at 7 p.m. Oct. 30
in the Hewitt Union ballroom. An art exhibition, "Visions
and Voices of Haiti: Photographs by Phyllis Galembo,"
will open in Tyler Art Gallery with a 6 p.m. reception
on Sept. 8 and will run through Oct. 8. La Troupe Mankandal,
featuring Haitian master drummer Frisner Augustin, will
perform Sept. 23. And a "Health and Humanity"
series will screen related films on Sept. 13, Oct. 11
and Nov. 15.
Kidder's other bestsellers include
The Soul of a New Machine, House,
Among Schoolchildren
and Home Town. |
| Back
To July 2006 E-Newsletter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
