Rating: 
Summary: Sadly Trees Died for This Book
Review: This book is not worth the paper on which it was written. There is no substantive data to support the author's claims and arguments... claims and arguments that often contradict, and most certainly never inspire. This book read more like the egomaniacal rantings of a disturbed adolescent than the thoughtful reflections of a nonprofit professional. Don't waste your time. Don't waste your money. Don't let any more trees die for such worthless vanity press.
Rating:
Summary: Where's the Research?
Review: This is a heartfelt book by a man who has worked hard to do what he thinks is right to help those in the bottom strata of our wealthy society. His goal is to try and offer a framework to modernize the work charities do. He wants to rename charities into community corporations and recognize that there are more efficient ways to use these resources. I think he is right that we can always do better. That we can always do better does away with the notion that there is a one best way to do things, doesn't it? He is far more enamored of United Way than I am. I think Mr. Egger's proposals take too much power away from those who do the giving. I know he thinks he is a professional and knows better, but organizations such as United Way become very political and I don't want to be co-opted by them to move my money to those whose values and goals I support. He especially bemoans the high percentage of directed funds in the DC chapter of the United Way. I also think he is wrong in his denigration of the kind of charity work Carnegie and Rockefeller did. He supposes they used improper means to gather their millions out of society making it poorer and then gave it back. In fact, they made society immeasurable richer by getting them better and cheaper steel and light (Rockefeller's kerosene was cheaper and cleaner than whale oil) than they previously had. But that isn't really the point here and I don't want to distract from the author's goals. He writes in an earnest way. He uses lots of stories. Don't expect scholarly writing or research. He is writing from his own experience and his heart. He has learned a lot from his work. I learned some things from him as well. If you want to get a current view of non-profits, community corporations, charities, or whatever you want to call them, this is a pretty good place to begin.
Rating: 
Summary: An earnest and passionate urging for change in non-profits
Review: This is a heartfelt book by a man who has worked hard to do what he thinks is right to help those in the bottom strata of our wealthy society. His goal is to try and offer a framework to modernize the work charities do. He wants to rename charities into community corporations and recognize that there are more efficient ways to use these resources. I think he is right that we can always do better. That we can always do better does away with the notion that there is a one best way to do things, doesn't it? He is far more enamored of United Way than I am. I think Mr. Egger's proposals take too much power away from those who do the giving. I know he thinks he is a professional and knows better, but organizations such as United Way become very political and I don't want to be co-opted by them to move my money to those whose values and goals I support. He especially bemoans the high percentage of directed funds in the DC chapter of the United Way. I also think he is wrong in his denigration of the kind of charity work Carnegie and Rockefeller did. He supposes they used improper means to gather their millions out of society making it poorer and then gave it back. In fact, they made society immeasurable richer by getting them better and cheaper steel and light (Rockefeller's kerosene was cheaper and cleaner than whale oil) than they previously had. But that isn't really the point here and I don't want to distract from the author's goals. He writes in an earnest way. He uses lots of stories. Don't expect scholarly writing or research. He is writing from his own experience and his heart. He has learned a lot from his work. I learned some things from him as well. If you want to get a current view of non-profits, community corporations, charities, or whatever you want to call them, this is a pretty good place to begin.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must-Read for Investors in Social Change
Review: This is an excellent book. The author has great expertise in his field and has a wealth of knowledge to share. I also work in the non-profit world and I learned a great deal from this book. Mr. Egger is honest, straight forward and has "been there" and has fifteen years of experience to support his opinions and solutions to very difficult social problems. Mr. Egger's writing style is clear and very easy to follow. This man knows of what he speaks. An excellent book for anyone working or planning to work in the social justice field. At last, someone who is not afraid to stand up and tell the truth. Don't miss it!
Rating:
Summary: It's about time
Review: This is an excellent book. The author has great expertise in his field and has a wealth of knowledge to share. I also work in the non-profit world and I learned a great deal from this book. Mr. Egger is honest, straight forward and has "been there" and has fifteen years of experience to support his opinions and solutions to very difficult social problems.
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