Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World
Encyclopedia
Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World is a 2007 book by former United States President Bill Clinton
. It was published by Knopf
in September 2007. With an initial print run of 750,000 copies, it debuted at the top of the New York Times Best Seller list
in its first week. It was announced that an unspecified portion of proceeds would go to causes mentioned in the book. Clinton ultimately donated $1 million of the proceeds to charity. At the time the book was released, his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton
, was seeking the Democratic nomination for President.
Peter Baker
, writing a review for the Washington Post, described it as Bill Clinton's version of his wife's 1996 book It Takes a Village
. The book details efforts funded by the Clinton Foundation
or which Clinton otherwise admires, with a message encouraging readers to join in. The book mentions the charity work of well-known people like Oprah Winfrey
, Andre Agassi
, and Warren Buffett
, why each chooses to do it, and also mentions lesser known instances of charity.
, writing for Newsday
, was more favorable, calling Giving "powerful, inspirational guide" for everyday citizens that rose above simply being a political move.
As of April 2008, Clinton had earned $30 million from the sales of Giving and his previous book, My Life
. He made $6.3 million from Giving, minus the $1 million he gave to charity.
in the category of Best Spoken Word Album.
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
. It was published by Knopf
Alfred A. Knopf
Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. is a New York publishing house, founded by Alfred A. Knopf, Sr. in 1915. It was acquired by Random House in 1960 and is now part of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group at Random House. The publishing house is known for its borzoi trademark , which was designed by co-founder...
in September 2007. With an initial print run of 750,000 copies, it debuted at the top of the New York Times Best Seller list
New York Times Best Seller list
The New York Times Best Seller list is widely considered the preeminent list of best-selling books in the United States. It is published weekly in The New York Times Book Review magazine, which is published in the Sunday edition of The New York Times and as a stand-alone publication...
in its first week. It was announced that an unspecified portion of proceeds would go to causes mentioned in the book. Clinton ultimately donated $1 million of the proceeds to charity. At the time the book was released, his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
, was seeking the Democratic nomination for President.
Peter Baker
Peter Baker (author)
Peter Baker is an American author and newspaper reporter, who has worked for both The Washington Post and The New York Times.He attended Oberlin College, and was a reporter for the student newspaper, The Oberlin Review....
, writing a review for the Washington Post, described it as Bill Clinton's version of his wife's 1996 book It Takes a Village
It Takes a Village
It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us is a book published in 1996 by First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton. In it, Clinton presents her vision for the children of America...
. The book details efforts funded by the Clinton Foundation
Clinton Foundation
The William J. Clinton Foundation is a foundation established by former President of the United States Bill Clinton with the stated mission to "strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence." The Foundation focuses on four critical areas:...
or which Clinton otherwise admires, with a message encouraging readers to join in. The book mentions the charity work of well-known people like Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
, Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi
Andre Kirk Agassi is a retired American professional tennis player and former world no. 1. Generally considered by critics and fellow players to be one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Agassi has been called the best service returner in the history of the game...
, and Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett
Warren Edward Buffett is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors in the world. Often introduced as "legendary investor, Warren Buffett", he is the primary shareholder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He is...
, why each chooses to do it, and also mentions lesser known instances of charity.
Reception
Baker called Giving an "extended public service announcement masquerading as a book" that offers "little in the way of personal introspection". John FreemanJohn Freeman
John Freeman may refer to:*John Freeman , character animator for Disney, Marvel Studios and others*John Freeman , Australian politician*John Freeman , writer and literary critic...
, writing for Newsday
Newsday
Newsday is a daily American newspaper that primarily serves Nassau and Suffolk counties and the New York City borough of Queens on Long Island, although it is sold throughout the New York metropolitan area...
, was more favorable, calling Giving "powerful, inspirational guide" for everyday citizens that rose above simply being a political move.
As of April 2008, Clinton had earned $30 million from the sales of Giving and his previous book, My Life
My Life (Bill Clinton autobiography)
My Life is a 2004 autobiography written by former President of the United States Bill Clinton, who left office on January 20, 2001. It was released on June 22, 2004. The book was published by the Knopf Publishing Group; the book sold in excess of 2,250,000 copies...
. He made $6.3 million from Giving, minus the $1 million he gave to charity.
Award nomination
The audiobook version of this book was nominated for a Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in the category of Best Spoken Word Album.