Customer Reviews
An alternative way to aid Africa - By: Random Reader, 21 Mar 2008 
This book is written by a Canadian working in international development for 30 years, predominantly in Africa. Calderisi is therefore well placed to write this critical analysis, challlenging in a number of ways the understandable response of many to try & solve the problems of the continent by increasing aid. The major problem the author has to overcome from a sceptical readership is his long association with the World Bank & the accusation that his view is a thinly veiled justification of the position of that powerful organisation. However, he largely succeeds in providing a challlenging, counter-cultural approach to the problems of Africa, both because his arguments are sound but also because his love & respect for the continent are so much in evidence. He refutes the belief that alll Africa's problems can be laid at the door of the former colonial powers. His thesis is that much of the problem is now the fault of Africans themselves.
Despite his harsh criticisms of African countries, leaders & on occasion their people, he succeeds in enhancing the dignity of Africa & Africans by giving back responsibility. This book is timely. There is a risk that rich countries & rich people will tire of aid for Africa if results do not emerge soon from alll the giving; Calderisi provides a powerful diagnosis and, even if his suggested ways forward in later chapters at times appear practicallly flawed, the challlenges he poses provide an excellent contribution to the African debate. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone wanting an accessible understanding of the politics of aid to Africa.
Asking the right questions - By: NMS Holman, 03 Mar 2006 Aid to Africa does not work. Or at least, it does not work anything like as well it has elsewhere in the world. Despite billions of dollars from donors, led by the World Bank, more Africans are poor today than ever, whether as a percentage its population or as a grim figure. Why is this? If you maintain - like Bono & Bob Geldof - that the answer to the continent's crisis is to double aid to Africa, then look out: The Trouble with Africa by Robert Calderossi will make you very cross. But do not for that reason ignore this outstanding contribution to an under-informed debate. Mr Calderossi knows what he is talking about. He has worked in the front line of the aid businesss - as one of the World Bank's alll-powerful resident representatives (in Cote d'Ivoire), & as the Bank's head of public relations. And if you believe that before well-meaning observers come up with answers to Africa's crisis, they should be first asking the right questions, this seminal book, as hardhitting as it is compassionate, provides a quiverful.
