I never planned on doing a book about Paul Farmer or his organization. I met him in Haiti when I was on a magazine assignment. It's almost like his story sort of fell in my lap. Tracy Kidder More Quotes by Tracy Kidder More Quotes From Tracy Kidder And I can imagine Farmer saying he doesn't care if no one else is willing to follow their example. He's still going to make these hikes, he'd insist, because if you say that seven hours is too long to walk for two families of patients, you're saying that their lives matter less than some others', and the idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that's wrong with the world. Tracy Kidder roots two ideas I do believe in God. I think God has given so much power to people, and intelligence, and said, 'Well, you are on your own. Maybe I'm tired, I need a nap. You are mature. Why don't you look after yourselves?' And I think He's been sleeping too much. Tracy Kidder tired sleep believe I tell beginning readers to read a lot and write a lot. If you want to write a book, find a subject that's really worth the time and effort you'll put in. Tracy Kidder effort writing book I want my prose to be as clear as a pane of glass. Tracy Kidder clear glasses want If you had an essentially happy childhood, that tends to dwell with you. Tracy Kidder happy-childhood childhood house Obviously, computers have made differences. They have fostered the development of spaceships- as well as a great increase in junk mail. Tracy Kidder junk progress differences In the early days, computers inspired widespread awe and the popular press dubbed them giant brains. In fact, the computer's power resembled that of a bulldozer; it did not harness subtlety, though subtlety went into its design. Tracy Kidder design giants brain Being a professional writer is not an easy way to make a living. Tracy Kidder easy-way easy way Continuity is one of the things I like about New England. Tracy Kidder continuity programming-languages england I am grateful to Stacy Schiff first of all because she can write a sentence-because she offers us her scholarship with wit, clarity, and grace. Once again, she has done what only the best writers can do: she has made the world new, again. Tracy Kidder grateful grace writing The problem is fundamental... It is as if a secret committee, now lost to history, has made a study of children and, having figured out what the greatest number were least disposed to declared that all of them should do it. Tracy Kidder secret numbers children The combination of domesticity and wildness - that's a deep expression Tracy Kidder domesticity combination expression In a very basic way, a prominent landmark such as Mt. Holyoke tells you where you are. They let you know that you're not the first person in a place Tracy Kidder landmarks way firsts My big struggle is how people can not care, erase, not remember. Tracy Kidder care struggle people When writers stop believing in their own stories, readers tend to sense it. Tracy Kidder reader stories believe I always want to write something better than the last book. Tracy Kidder want writing book I think if the writing comes too easily, it shows - it's usually hard to read. Tracy Kidder shows writing thinking I wrote a novel about the combat experiences I didn't have in Vietnam. Tracy Kidder vietnam combat novel Paul Farmer has helped to build amazing health care system in one of the poorest areas of Haiti. He founded Partners in Health, which serves the destitute and the sick in many parts of the world from Haiti to Boston and from Russia to Peru. Tracy Kidder boston russia sick Curing yourself of obsessive compulsive disorder by going to a strip club is pretty strange. Tracy Kidder obsessive-compulsive clubs strange
