The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism
Author: Claire Gaudiani
List Price: $25.00
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ISBN: 0805071962
Publisher: Times Books (10 September, 2003)
Sales Rank: 33,499
Average Customer Rating: 3.4 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 1 out of 5
Good intentions pave the road to hell
Claire Gaudiani was president of Connecticut College for a little over a decade. The college was not in the best financial shape when she took over, but neither was Germany in 1932. Her fall came when she tried to rule the local city of New London with the same "I-Know-What's-Best-For-You-So-Gimme-That-Shut-up-and-Like-It" leadership style she used to abuse her college. Philanthropy, in this case smelled bad in a bulldozing houses, ethnic cleansing sort of way. Against her better judgment, one can be sure that this same philosophy drips from her current work.There is a small building on the Connecticut College campus built almost entirely out of asbestos. No one is allowed in it and it's far to expensive to desmantle. I call upon the college to name this disaster for Dr. Gaudiani.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Not so Ancient Wisdom
The Philanthropic Revolution started thousands of years ago in the fields of Eygpt when people then new that we need to "care" for each other. Give water to the thirsty passer by.Claire, with a lot of compassion and breadth, reminds us the the "greater good" needs to be reenvigorated, as did Jane Addams' project to care for the larger community.
Chapter 6 go directly to the undrlyting feeling of the American Spirit.
The past 100 years shows us how to really appreciate and gain from that original intent. This book put's it into perspective and rekindles the spirit of giving.
Happy New Year.
Rating: 5 out of 5
What have you done for mankind lately?
I felt compelled to write this review because of the poor content by some of the other contributors -- one who didnt event read the book and the other ranting a personal attack with no focus on the book itself.
As a teacher, Colleen Kyle should know better than anyone else to actually read books before judging them. She might find herself actually learning something from the research of others. This is not a history book, and it doesnt claim to be one. Its encouraging people to re-think philanthropy and the long term impact generosity can have by showing how we have all benefitted from private giving already.
Mr. Chuck Jones needs to spend more time actually giving something back to society and little less time complaining about those who choose to take the personal and professional risks required to be a leader.
I would encourage people to read Gaudiani's book, to learn about how generosity affects society, and then think about what they can do in their local community to improve the lives of the less fortunate. Similar Products
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Inspired Philanthropy: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Giving Plan, 2nd Edition
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