Race Against Time

"I have spent the last four years watching people die." With that sentence, Stephen Lewis starts his book/ a series of lectures. This book shows us the difference between vision and reality. He talks about the eight Millennium Development Goals, which focus on educations, especially, and cutting poverty in half by 2015. Yet, Stephen Lewis admits to him not believing that these goals will happen do to countries not living up to their promises. He explains how everyone falls short of donating the amount of foreign aid they promised to the united nations. This even applies the eight top countries in the world. This is a very emotional book, full of truth about what life is like in a third world country and how we take everyday things for granted!

'Race Against Time' is a Massey Lecture series, a compilation of 5 lectures of Stephen Lewis as he discusses the plight of Africa in the face of HIV/AIDS, poverty, the status of women and the lack of education for children.

Stephen Lewis having spent the past 20 years working for different factions of the UN including his current post as the UN Secretary-General for HIV/AIDS in Africa has seen the devastation the disease has inflicted on the African people.

This book opened my eyes to the disappointing reaction from the international community to the problems affecting the African nations. Stephen Lewis succinctly describes his personal experiences visiting many African countries, and details the few positive steps being made as well as the social atrocities the countries face due to poor government response both locally and internationally. I feel disappointed that the international community doesn't seem to pay full attention to a very real problem. Whole generations of Africans are growing up orphans due to AIDS and sub-Saharan Africa is slipping further into poverty, yet the world does almost nothing to help.

This is an eye-opening book which will expand your view of the world and the international community. Each lecture is best read in one reading, as they are quite dense with information.

Although I haven't quite finish this book yet, I have learned so much about the AIDS pandemic that I know I wouldn't have found elsewhere. As I read the book, it is so vivid and brilliant that I feel as though Stephen Lewis himself is speaking to me, educating me about this issue in which so many are unaware. He speaks honestly and openly about his experiences and how he has witness our world do very little to lessen its effects. Also, he includes how our world can help bring an end to the pandemic. Truly a great read that will make you more aware globally of what is going on in Africa.

I recently finished this book and can say in all honesty that it has changed the way I view the world. It makes you think twice about how much food we waste and how fortunate we are to have free health care. I am a Sociology student and was required to read this book in one of my courses. I have passed it on to fellow friends and family, simply because I think it's important for us all to know what is going on in the poverty stricken areas of South Africa and that we need to attempt to make a change.
This is a must-read for any university student...it will broaden your perspectives on world politics and also make you want to volunteer abroad!