The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Now a Netflix Film, Starring and Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor of 12 Years a Slave

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land withered by drought and hunger. But William had read about windmills, and he dreamed of building one that would bring to his small village a set of luxuries that only 2 percent of Malawians could enjoy: electricity and running water. His neighbors called him misala--crazy--but William refused to let go of his dreams. With a small pile of once-forgotten science textbooks; some scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves; and an armory of curiosity and determination, he embarked on a daring plan to forge an unlikely contraption and small miracle that would change the lives around him.

This inspiring memoir, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, is a remarkable true story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. It will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him.

This extraordinary memoir of African innovation shows that one person can change a community:

• An Unforgettable True Story: Follow a young boy in Malawi who, armed with forgotten science textbooks, stood up to a devastating famine and brought hope to his village.
• Ingenuity and Determination: Discover how William Kamkwamba built a working windmill from scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves to bring electricity and running water to his community.
• Overcoming Crippling Adversity: A powerful narrative of resilience and inventiveness in the face of drought, hunger, and being called misala--crazy--by his neighbors.
• Now a Major Netflix Film: Experience the story that inspired the critically acclaimed film, directed by and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor.

From the Back Cover

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land withered by drought and hunger. But William had read about windmills, and he dreamed of building one that would bring to his small village a set of luxuries that only 2 percent of Malawians could enjoy: electricity and running water. His neighbors called him misala--crazy--but William refused to let go of his dreams. With a small pile of once-forgotten science textbooks; some scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves; and an armory of curiosity and determination, he embarked on a daring plan to forge an unlikely contraption and small miracle that would change the lives around him.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a remarkable true story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. It will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him.

Review Quotes

"THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND is the inspiring story of a young man in Africa who used the only resources available to him to build a windmill and elevate the lives and spirits of those in his community. William Kamkwamba's achievements with wind energy should serve as a model of what one person, with an inspired idea, can do to tackle the crisis we face. His book tells a moving and exciting story." - Al Gore, former Vice President and Nobel Laureate

"This is an amazing, inspiring and heartwarming story! It's about harnessing the power not just of the wind, but of imagination and ingenuity. Those are the most important forces we have for saving our planet. William Kamkwamba is a hero for our age." - Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein and Benjamin Franklin

"This book is inspirational. What William did took nothing more than initiative and a little learning, yet he changed his village and his life. There's never been a better time to Do It Yourself, and I love how much we can learn from those who often have no other choice." - Chris Anderson, editor in chief of Wired and author of Free and The Long Tail

"A powerful read. This book takes you on a journey to discover pure innovation and the unfolding story of a natural genius. A true vision of struggle and tenacity to make a bold idea become a reality. This should be required reading for anyone who dares to dream." - Cameron Sinclair, Eternal Optimist, Architecture for Humanity

"We seldom post about books at Gizmodo, but if this story of a self-taught Malawian boy using junkyard parts to build windmills and bring life-changing electricity to his village doesn't make you misty-eyed, then you must be one cold-hearted bastard." - Gizmodo

"The book abounds with themes that resonate deeply: the idea that with hard work and persistence comes triumph; that optimism is not a mental state but a type of action, that from grief and loss can come success." - Nathaniel Whittemore, Change.org

"I first met William on stage at TED.... His story, told in just a couple of minutes, was both astonishing and exhilarating. This book proves what those few minutes hinted at: a remarkable individual capable of inspiring many to take their future into their own hands." - Chris Anderson, TED Curator

"This book.... is a testament to the power of a dream and the freedom that comes from accomplishing a sustainable way of life. Read this book, act on its message and pass it on." - Carter Roberts, President & CEO, WWF

"A rare and inspiring story of hope in rural Africa....William represents a new generation of Africans, using ingenuity and invention to overcome life's challenges. Where so many tilt at windmills, William builds them!" - Erik Hersman, AfriGadget.com

"I was moved first to laughter, and then to tears by William's explanation of how he turned some PVC pipe, a broken bicycle and some long wooden poles into a machine capable of generating sufficient current to power lights and a radio in his parents' house. - Ethan Zuckerman, cofounder, Global Voices

"One of the best books I've ever read." - Mark Frauenfelder, founder of boingboing.net, editor in chief of MAKE

"The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a stunning narrative, a description of persistence and accomplishment told matter-of-factly...of greater worth is the humbling and inspiring example of intuition, inventiveness and determination that fuel Kamkwamba's journey." - Denver Post

"William Kamkwamba's achievements with wind energy should serve as a model of what one person, with an inspired idea, can do to tackle the crisis we face. His book tells a moving and exciting story." - Al Gore, former Vice President and Nobel Laureate

" In this book, the spirit, resilience and resourcefulness that are Africa's greatest strengths shine through.... The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a remarkable story about a remarkable young man and his inquisitive and inventive mind." - Amy Smith, founder, D-Lab, MIT

"This book is inspirational. What William did took nothing more than initiative and a little learning.... There's never been a better time to Do It Yourself, and I love how much we can learn from those who often have no other choice." - Chris Anderson, editor in chief of Wired and author of Free and The Long Tail

"This exquisite tale strips life down to its barest essentials, and once there finds reason for hopes and dreams, and is especially resonant for Americans given the economy and increasingly heated debates over health care and energy policy." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind [is] an autobiography so moving that it is almost impossible to read without tears. In understated and simple prose, Kamkwamba and Mealer offer readers a tour through one Malawian boy's inspiring life....The telling of his story is surprisingly levelheaded....As you read this book (I'd suggest keeping a box of tissues handy) you can be sure that William Kamkwamba's future is bright. If this tale is any indication, we'll be hearing his name again in the years ahead." - Christian Science Monitor

"An inspiring tale of an African Cheetah--the new generation of young Africans who won't sit and wait for corrupt and incompetent governments--or vampire states-- to come and do things for them. Here is one who harnessed the wind to generate electricity for his village--on his own." - Professor George Ayittey, Distinguished Economist, American University

"William will challenge everything you have thought about Africa, about young people, and about the power of one person to transform a community. This beautifully written book will open your heart and mind. I was moved by William and his story and believe you all will. Essential, powerful and compelling." - Chris Abani, author of Graceland

"William Kamkwamba is an alchemist who turned misfortune into opportunity, opportunity beyond his own. The book is about learning by inventing. William's genius was to be ingenious." - Nicholas Negroponte, founder, MIT Media Lab, founder and chairman, One Laptop per Child

"This is an uplifting story, showing that big change can start small." - New York Post

"A moving, touching, important story. One more reminder of how small the world is and how powerful the human spirit can be." - Seth Godin, author of Tribes

"Wonderful! I challenge you to read this story of one young man changing his corner of the world with nothing but intelligence and perseverance and not come away more hopeful about the prospects for a brighter, greener future." - Alex Steffen, editor, Worldchanging.com

"Beyond opening the door to a nascent genre of African Innovation literature, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind makes excuses about why Africans can't change their fates untenable. This potent, powerful, and uplifting message is the heart of William Kamkwamba's courageous story." - Emeka Okafor, internationally acclaimed author of blogs Timbuktu Chronicles and Africa Unchained

"I loved this enchanting story of a humble young hero from an impoverished African village who accomplished a miracle with scrap materials and unstoppable enthusiasm. What an inspiration!" - Mark Frauenfelder, founder of boingboing.net, editor in chief of MAKE