Twenty Eight: Stories of Aids in Africa
by Stephanie Nolen
published by Portobello
price 8.99
As with any depressing subject, it is difficult to summon the emotional resources to begin to care.
But the prevalence of AIDS in Africa is one of the most important international issues of our time and – because it is something that is completely within our power to change –
we urgently need to find a way to engage with it.
And the surprise is that – without exception – the 28 stories these people have to tell are far from depressing. Although each has a different experience, the thing they all have in common is their determination and hope.
It’s hard to imagine why anyone wants to read about such a potentially distressing subject. And yet, all those who have overcome their prejudices to read even a single page have been gripped and inspired. The book has been championed by everyone from Annie Lennox and Bono to John Le Carré and William Boyd. As well as being an eye-opening and uplifting read, it really is the kind of book that can change minds and also, indirectly, save lives.
Comments
Excellent Book
20 October 2008
Great read. Emotional and thought-provoking. Avoids a common pitfall of these types of work be refusing to make normative judgments on people, governments, or policies. A well-researched eye-opening survey of the lives of different people and appears about as real and as truthful a book and someone interested in this subject could ask for.
28
20 October 2008
is powerful, raw, and real. a must-read for anyone who cares about humanity.
twentyeight: stories of aids in Africa
20 October 2008
a must read for anyone who cares about humanity
Powerful and Illuminating
20 October 2008
It's understandable that HIV/AIDS overwhelms us. The very scale of the pandemic is incomprehensible -- 28 million in sub-Saharan Africa, and growing every day. How is that possible?!! What does that even look like?! And what are we to do? Nolen's book is a surprisingly readable exploration of the personal journeys of 28 individuals -- less than one MILLIONTH of those affected by AIDS in Africa. The stories are deeply human and richly textured. And despite the heavy subject, these are really page-turning stories that illuminate the ongoing challenges that make AIDS so difficult to contain -- things like rampant stigma, feeble prevention campaigns, and a lack of access to effective treatment. This is a disease that is crippling entire countries -- but more than that, it's cutting down families. And that's what the book conveys most compellingly. I've bought this book for many family members. Everyone agrees that it's an incredibly important book -- and it's gotten us all talking about what we can do to try to make a difference.
Uplifting and Inspiring
20 October 2008
Ms Nolen has written about the most serious pandemic to grip the modern world. Each story is uplifting and inspiring. Together the stories bring tears, admiration, anger, frustration, and a desire to contribute to the cure.
but what can I do?
21 October 2008
The first step is to read this book.
Insightful and compassionate
21 October 2008
Nolen has the extraordinary ability to bring to life the struggles, hopes and everyday life of persons affected by HIV/AIDS, putting the face,name, person behind the statistic.
The best book about HIV
21 October 2008
In this book Ms. Nolen manages a sophisticated discussion of the political economy of the AIDS pandemic through the eloquently told personal stories of those living with HIV and those engaged in treatment and prevention efforts. A compelling book that inspires action.
Need
22 October 2008
I come from South Africa and live in Australia now.
There is a need to hear these stories, people need to be aware of the magnitude and dare I say epidemic of AIDS in Africa.
In South Africa an average of 800 people die a day from this disease and it should affect us all.
I spend a great deal of my time wondering what I can do, besides give money to charity and support AIDS charities, I say read books about African people and AIDS, support major AIDS projects, help fight people who don't believe that African people should be given access to anti retrovirals and well this book is on my list.
Must read
22 October 2008
Weaves together the common thread of AIDS with the different personal tales of individuals. Timely, relevant, important.
Uplifting, heartbreaking and beautifully written
22 October 2008
Although I have been working on HIV/AIDS for over a decade, lived in the African epicenter of the pandemic for several years, and know some of the exceptional people profiled in 28 -- still, I learned a great deal and gained new insights from Stephanie Nolen's fascinating, powerful, thoroughly "readable" book.
28 for all
22 October 2008
this book brings the complex and often distant topic of HIV/ AIDS to your doorstep and compels you to integrate it into your everyday consciousness. it is gripping, touching, deeply personal and expansive in the knowledge it relays to the reader. not to be missed.
28 Faces
25 October 2008
Fantastic book. One of the more vital aspects, for me, was the ability to visit such a range of eclectic and exceptionally brave lives.
Enlightened
27 October 2008
A must read for living in an "enlightened" age. Ms. Nolen crafts a fact- filled journey of a pandemic through the lives of 28 compelling individuals.
28 and counting
03 November 2008
This is a wonderfully inspirational book. It puts a face on HIV/AIDS in the sub-Sahara. Stephanie is a wonderful story teller. Each story jumps out at you and grabs your heart.
I belong to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. We raised awareness and funds for our sister grandmothers in 15 countries of the sub-Sahara for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
Remember that each of these 28 individuals represent 1million people!!
Thanks you Ms. Nolan for daring to write such a compelling book.
Thank you
06 November 2008
I appreciated the author's sincere compassion and commitment to the people of Africa. Her book is a labour of love for the victims and their families and a call to all of us to do whatever we can to ease the suffering and insist that governments and drug companies around the world ensure that antivirol drugs reach the people in need.
Renews compassion and resolve
22 December 2008
Reading even one story in 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa renewed my compassion and strengthened my resolve to continue my fundraising and volunteer efforts in regard to sub-Saharan Africa and the AIDS pandemic. Stephanie Nolen's fine writing makes these 28 seem like family! Do yourself a favour and get to know some of them! Read, think, feel and act!
The word must get out
26 December 2008
If everyone puts their heads together, we can move mountains and AIDS will be something of the past. Let's help these people. They are our brothers and sisters.
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