Daily Show viewers will remember this book, as the author was a guest a few weeks back.
Inspired by his appearance, I ordered the book on Amazon.
And, I haven't regretted that decision at all.
Brief summary: William Kamkwamba, a young Malawi boy, was inspired to build a windmill after he learned about it in a book.
That brief summary is the backdrop for the entire book, but the experience of reading the book is the true pleasure. As the reader, you pretty much already know the punchline, but after a slow start (primarily due to getting used to the tone and writing style) it picks up and it's memorizing.
I don't want to give much away, but it's incredibly inspiring to see how he deals with adversity and scrapes together the supplies necessary to make his dream come true. Being a scientist myself, I immediately recognized the habits and signs of someone who's just a natural at science. He's also got a delightful sense of humor at times, as he'll make jokes that pretty much come out of nowhere. The description of living through famine is both heartbreaking and strangely inspiring in and of itself, since it shows just how ingenious people can be in dealing with adversity that's literally a matter of life or death.
The book itself is not a long read, and it's just an amazing journey. He was an amazing Daily Show guest - maybe the best "positive" interview Jon Stewart has done in a long, long time - and the book is equally amazing. The descriptions at the end, of how he was "found", are hilarious and I couldn't wait to read about his next adventure.
Heartily recommended. Printed on what appears to be 100% recycled paper and it's strangely appropriate for the tone and subject. I got my copy new at amazon and it's about $16. I recommend this book for pretty much anyone. I think it's a fantastic read and I expect great things out of him in the future - I hope he can come to the States and get a great college education and go back home and be a great leader - he's got it written all over him.