The Power of Half: One Family's Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back [Hardcover]

It is pretty frustrating to read some of the reviews on here, and the criticism directed towards this book and family elsewhere on the web.

Many Americans, including myself, love America because of the freedom with which we can live our lives here. We are not taxed to nearly the levels of most European countries and have higher home-ownership and a greater degree of meritocratic upward mobility. Everyone is free to buy what they can afford (sometimes more, but that's a different story), love who they want to love, work where they want to work, and live where they want to live.

If there were a wealthy family which you knew nothing about, and through some real estate deal they came into an extra $800,000, you wouldn't criticize them for purchasing a new yacht instead of a new jet... it's their money, so its their choice. SO WHY IS IT that so many people in favor of all the CHOICES that come with living in a democratic free-market nation like this one feel the need to criticize the choice of the Salwen family to mobilize their huge donation in Ghana, rather than in the US?

As a patriotic American, I care that people in my country are suffering from hunger, health problems they can't afford to treat, and foreclosures on their homes. As a doctor who enjoys living in the US and has no plans to move abroad, I make it a priority to do my part to help who I can, which for me sometimes involves seeking out and treaking vulnerable Americans in my community with low or no charge. HOWEVER, as a rational being, I know that any donations I make to charity (which so far, have been a pittance compared to what this family has done), will go much further if executed correctly in many other parts of the world. $800,000 used productively (ie - not just "giving out food and money" but instead creating self-sustaining programs which help folks get educated, grow food in an optimal way, and set up small businesses), can go way further in Ghana than it can in the US, where things are more expensive and the average person is way better off in absolute terms.

For the person who recommended that the Salwens donate money towards reducing the subprime burden in their own Atlanta community instead of picking out some 'random' Ghanian village, I say: (1) I would be delighted if instead of buying a yacht or a plane or keeping their mansion, they helped about 10 needy American families get back on their feet financially with $80,000 of debt forgiveness each; but (2) I am MORE delighted that they chose to make an impact that will help about 10 THOUSAND people get on their feet. People are people - no matter what patriotic way you slice it, helping a thousand Ghanians is more impactful than helping out one American. When you have little prior information about the person you're directing your philanthropy towards, why not donate where your money goes the furthest and can in fact be transformative?

Not that I have the authority to praise or criticize their decision in the first place... it's THEIR MONEY after all.

PS. The book is decently written and readable, not a masterpiece of literature... But I gave it five stars for the IDEA behind it and the hope that it will inspire many. Has definitely inspired me.

We live in a society that is increasingly fueled by consumption, bombarded by subtle and not so subtle messages that our value is measured by the amount and quality of our acquisitions. Like many of us, the Salwens were running fast on the treadmill to the American success story. Although they had a better than passing awareness of poverty, donating time and money to improve the lives of others, there was the nagging sense that more could be done. Unlike many of us, they were willing to ask difficult questions about the inequities in the world and more importantly, to make the personal changes that would create greater security and opportunity for others. This family is articulate, cohesive, educated, financially and socially privileged and it would be easy to write their story off as impossible for average folks. The truth is, there are few people with nothing to give. It is always easy to see what the next guy could/should/might do but not as comfortable when it comes to letting go of the things that WE deem to be non-negotiable. Without judgment, this book offers honest insight into the psychology if consumption and the way that it diminishes our ability to see beyond our own sense of entitlement. It serves too as a reminder that while generosity cannot be demanded, it is easily invited. Each chapter includes input from the Salwen children with practical suggestions for ways that any interested family or individual can become involved. "Changing lives" is a very possible process that benefits everyone who is willing to commit to doing their part. This is a book that should be read and discussed by families, faith communities, educators, activists and non-activists alike.

While I enjoyed this book at the beginning, after a while the tone began to wear on me. To hear the authors speak of their "hardship" of giving up a massive house for a "much smaller" one of 3000+ feet over and over again got very old. They tried to make it sound like they were sacrificing. While giving any money to charity is noble, doing so while lauding one's own imagined hardships is a careful line to walk. This book fails in that respect. The authors try to make it sound like they are doing a major undertaking. Yes, moving houses is hard. Then we find out the wife is a founder a hugely successful company-one where each founder made hundreds of millions. So we're expected to feel empathy for this family giving $800k?

Don't get me wrong, I love their idea. I've acted on what I read here. I just think they missed the boat by trying to sound average. Their wealth is so far above what most people dream of that they come off as patronizing. The book really came across as: give half if you happen to be very rich. If you're middle class, donate clothes to a homeless shelter. There wasn't any middle ground.

Good concept, great idea, poorly laid out, and very thin on other charitable ideas.