Critics' Opinion:
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Published Sep 2008
448 pages
Genre: History, Current Affairs and Religion
Publication Information
Having seen things we hope never to see, confronted suffering and dispassion and evil we hope never to encounter, and faced deep personal torment, James Orbinski still believes in “the good we can be if we so choose.” His chosen medium for revealing this is stories from his own experience—a doctor’s indelible testimony from the front lines in Peru, Somalia, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Zaire—embodied in which are warnings, hope, and lessons in how we can inject humanitarian activity into our lives.
Being political, he has discovered, is not only reserved for politicians; admitting imperfection is essential to compassion. With an eye for detail like that of the finest journalist and the empathy of the most committed doctor, Orbinski’s powerful voice is matched by the urgency of his message. At a time of great political and moral uncertainty, An Imperfect Offering is invaluable reading for anyone who wants to make a difference.
"Starred Review. An important, consciousness-raising work." - Kirkus Review.
"The book manages to be both personal enough to construe the human toll of political and social disasters without falling into the trap of maudlin, patronizing depictions of human suffering." - Publishers Weekly.
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As the then international president of the Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), Orbinski accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of MSF in 1999.
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