Leaving Microsoft to Change the World

Since I'm doing the read-athon this year and raising money for Room to Read, I decided that I would start out the year by reading John Wood's (the founder of Room to Read) book, Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur's Odyssey to Educate the World's Children. All I can say is: Wow. What an inspiring book to start off the new year! John Wood was an executive with Microsoft, and in my opinion, on the fast track to burn out. While on a trek through Nepal he was invited to visit a local village school. Aside from the fact that the school was too small to accomodate all the children, there was a stunning lack of books in its library. Just a few book were all the library had, including a worn out copy of a Danielle Steel novel and a Lonely Planet travel guide. Not really appropriate for school children. John made a promise that he would return with books for the school and that promise turned into a life-changing event. John ended up leaving Microsoft to focus his efforts full-time on raising funds for schools and libraries throughout the developing world. What I really enjoyed about the book was John's description of what it is like to actually start a charity like this. I had no idea how difficult it is to get one up and running and maintain it. It gives you a whole new respect for people that do this. This is one of those books, like Mountains Beyond Mountains or Three Cups of Tea, that will just amaze, inspire and humble you. If you haven't read these three books, stop what you are doing and go get them right now.