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Book reviews
‘Smart risks: how small grants are helping to solve some of the world’s biggest problems’ – edited by Jennifer Lentfer and Tanya Cothran
Reviewed by John Harvey Smart risks: how small grants are helping to solve some of the world’s biggest problems has an unusual origin story. One of its editors, a passionate writer herself, put out a …
Giving with a thousand hands: the changing face of Indian philanthropy by Pushpa Sundar – reviewed by Alison Bukhari
This book leaves the reader both emboldened and overwhelmed at the same time. It lays out an ambitious and visionary call to action and yet makes the reader all too aware of the fundamental systemic and cultural hurdles that stand in the way of …
Experimental conversations: perspectives on randomized trials in development economics – edited by Timothy Ogden
Reviewed by Caroline Fiennes. Much rubbish is spoken about randomized controlled trials (RCTs). And many of the views ascribed to the ‘randomistas’ who run them are not in fact held by them. For instance, it is often said that RCTs are …
‘The Routledge Companion to Philanthropy’ – Edited by Tobias Jung, Susan D Phillips and Jenny Harrow
Reviewed by Juliet Valdinger. This book is an incredible compendium of essays covering a wide field of knowledge in what some feel is a nascent sector (which it is not). As ‘philanthropy is becoming transnational, …
‘Our Common Good’ by John Nickson – Reviewed by Tessa Hibbert
Our Common Good: If the state provides less, who will provide more? written by acclaimed fundraiser for the arts, John Nickson, is a powerfully argued statement of the need for new partnerships between the state, …
TrustAfrica’s first decade edited by Halima Mahomed and Elizabeth Coleman – reviewed by John Harvey
The concept of agency is a driving force behind a great deal of emergent global philanthropy, perhaps no more so than in Africa. In the context of its particularly traumatic history of colonialism, ‘agency’ refers …
Dark Money by Jane Mayer – Reviewed by Alison Goldsworthy
Reviewed by Alison Goldsworthy Jane Mayer’s newly released book weaves an excellent story, tracing the increasing amounts of money involved in US politics and their effects. Starting with the poster boys of radical right fundraising, …
Policy Patrons by Megan E Tompkins-Stange – Reviewed by Volker Then
Reviewed by Volker Then For all those who are seriously interested in how foundations can work effectively to resolve societal problems, this book is a must-read. For those who fear that foundations might have become …
The Philanthropy Reader – Michael Moody and Beth Breeze (eds) – reviewed by Marta Rey Garcia
Reviewed by Marta Rey Garcia The Philanthropy Reader offers the obvious advantage over its online and digital competitors of being a one-stop publication, which is crucial given the fragmentation of the field of philanthropic studies …
The Philanthropy Reader – Michael Moody and Beth Breeze (eds) – reviewed by Pat Danahey Janin
Reviewed by Pat Danahey Janin Why learn about philanthropy? Is generosity so complicated, after all? The rising number of philanthropy education programmes across the globe attests to the growing interest in a more formal study …
