I met Mr. Hodes in Ethiopia, and he is indeed the real thing - a sort of white, Jewish Father Theresa.

This book isn't artfully written, but it does tell the story of a remarkable man in a compelling way. Dr. Hodes tends to those Ethiopians who simply have no other chance at a decent life, and has populated his own home with five adopted kids and many more that simply live there.

The book recounts his experience in the refugee camps that followed the Rwandan genocide, and finishes with the author's own personal story of her psuedo-adoption of one of Hodes' toughest patients - a brilliant little Ethiopian boy named Danny.

This is not a grim recounting of a difficult life; Hodes manages to stay sane in some grim circumstances through the use of an active sense of humor, and overall affect of the book is uplifting - not depressing.

If you wish to be reminded that there is still plenty of good in this world - and of the power of a single person - then this book is a must read. ( )

In preparation for spending a month teaching in Ethiopia, I loaded up my Kindle with books about the conditions, people, and politics in Ethiopia. This is one of the first I read. It is an excellent, if slightly breathless, account of an American doctor, Rick Hodes, who found himself in Addis Ababa almost by accident, but came to love both the people and his work with them. This book will give you a good look at the many physical and health problems facing the Ethiopian population. ( )

This Is a Soul By Marilyn Berger Rick Hodes, M.D. is an American doctor that has been living and working in Ethiopia for more than 20 years. He is an Orthodox Jew that works with and for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. This organization sent Dr. Hodes to Ethiopia in the early 90's when Israel emigrated thousands of people to a new life, and he continued to work there in refugee camps and clinics, mainly in Addis Ababa (Cutting For Stone, yes, he is friendly with the author Abraham Verghese) Dr. Hodes believes if you save a life, you save the world. He has dedicated his life to giving the sickest, poorest people health and hope. This is a mesmerizing read, it cannot be ignored, it will open your eyes and your heart. ( )

great reviews