Additional information
by William Kamkwamba (Author), Bryan Mealer (Author)
Now a Netflix Film, Starring and Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor of 12 Years a Slave
William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land withered by drought and hunger. But William had read about windmills, and he dreamed of building one that would bring to his small village a set of luxuries that only 2 percent of Malawians could enjoy: electricity and running water. His neighbors called him misala--crazy--but William refused to let go of his dreams. With a small pile of once-forgotten science textbooks; some scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves; and an armory of curiosity and determination, he embarked on a daring plan to forge an unlikely contraption and small miracle that would change the lives around him.
This inspiring memoir, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, is a remarkable true story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. It will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him.
This extraordinary memoir of African innovation shows that one person can change a community:
- An Unforgettable True Story: Follow a young boy in Malawi who, armed with forgotten science textbooks, stood up to a devastating famine and brought hope to his village.
- Ingenuity and Determination: Discover how William Kamkwamba built a working windmill from scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves to bring electricity and running water to his community.
- Overcoming Crippling Adversity: A powerful narrative of resilience and inventiveness in the face of drought, hunger, and being called misala--crazy--by his neighbors.
- Now a Major Netflix Film: Experience the story that inspired the critically acclaimed film, directed by and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Front Jacket
William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a land withered by drought and hunger, a place where hope and opportunity were hard to find. But William had read about windmills and dreamed of building one that would bring his family electricity and running water, luxuries that only two percent of Malawians could afford. He used scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves to forge a crude machine that eventually powered four lights, complete with homemade switches and a circuit breaker made from nails and wire. A second windmill turned a water pump that could battle the drought and famine looming with every season.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those on an entire continent.
--Erik Hersman, AfriGadget.comBack Jacket
William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a land withered by drought and hunger, a place where hope and opportunity were hard to find. But William had read about windmills and dreamed of building one that would bring his family electricity and running water, luxuries that only two percent of Malawians could afford. He used scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves to forge a crude machine that eventually powered four lights, complete with homemade switches and a circuit breaker made from nails and wire. A second windmill turned a water pump that could battle the drought and famine looming with every season.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those on an entire continent.
