Book dossier

A Willful Volunteer

by D. Bray

This non-fiction book was recommended to me by a friend. Having just finished reading it, I am of mixed opinion. On the one hand the book captures the connectedness of experiences volunteering at home and abroad and of personal tragedies and triumphs. On the other hand, the book captures a time before the events of 9/11 when it was easier to travel abroad as an American and before the world became darker. This is less a failing of the author as it is a dating of the book's material. The facts and personal stories that the book gives seem hopeful for making a positive contribution to the world, yet in light of what has happened since is that still possible? The book is short and could have benefited from a better editor. It is also interesting, and never fully explained, why the author chose the title a Willful Volunteer vs. a Willing Volunteer. The snippets are worth reading in doses, as they probably were written on different trips and pieced together by the author. It does provide great ideas of what an alternative path the United States could have taken during what now in retrospect seems like a lost decade. Overall: 4 out of 5 stars if you are in to non-fiction.