Summer Reading 2: Mountains Beyond Mountains

Be sure to read the feedback on Summer Reading 1 BEFORE you work on this summer reading assignment.

1. READ
Read the excerpt from the book, Mountains Beyond Mountains, from your reading packet. Another enjoyable read and it dovetails nicely with the Elzeard Bouffier story.

2. THINK
Now, this is most definitely a true story. This excerpt is the first three chapters (~40 pages) of a 300-page book written about Harvard physician, Dr. Paul Farmer. Think about the life this man is choosing to live as compared to the reasons you hear that most people become doctors. Also think about how this story shows how, in the real world, science and medicine can be strongly influenced by politics.

If you want to meet Paul Farmer, you can watch a talk he gave recently (May 8, 2007) at NYU by clicking on this link. You can also visit the Partners for Health Web site www.pih.org

3. RESPOND
Respond to the following on the blog.
a. Tell me what you thought about the excerpt from this book. Tell me what you think of Dr. Paul Farmer.

b. Margaret Mead (a very famous anthropologist) once said:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Explain how Paul Farmer embodies this idea.

Post your answers as comments on this page by Friday August 15.