The Power Of Half: One Family's Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back

It is pretty frustrating to read some of the reviews on here, and the criticism directed towards this book and family elsewhere on the web. Many Americans, including myself, love America because of the freedom with which we can live our lives here. We are not taxed to nearly the levels of most European countries and have higher home-ownership and a greater degree of meritocratic upward mobility. Everyone is free to buy what they can afford (sometimes more, but that's a different story), love who they want to love, work where they want to work, and live where they want to live. If there were a wealthy family which you knew nothing about, and through some real estate deal they came into an extra $800,000, you wouldn't criticize them for purchasing a new yacht instead of a new jet... it's their money, so its their choice. SO WHY IS IT that so many people in favor of all the CHOICES that come with living in a democratic free-market nation like this one feel the need to criticize the choice of the Salwen family to mobilize their huge donation in Ghana, rather than in the US? As a patriotic American, I care that people in my country are suffering from hunger, health problems they can't afford to treat, and foreclosures on their homes. As a doctor who enjoys living in the US and has no plans to move abroad, I make it a priority to do my part to help who I can, which for me sometimes involves seeking out and treaking vulnerable Americans in my community with low or no charge. HOWEVER, as a rational being, I know that any donations I make to charity (which so far, have been a pittance compared to what this family has done), will go much further if executed correctly in many other parts of the world. $800,000 used productively (ie - not just "giving out food and money" but instead creating self-sustaining programs which help folks get educated, grow food in an optimal way, and set up small businesses), can go way further in Ghana than it can in the US, where things are more expensive and the average person is way better off in absolute terms. For the person who recommended that the Salwens donate money towards reducing the subprime burden in their own Atlanta community instead of picking out some 'random' Ghanian village, I say: (1) I would be delighted if instead of buying a yacht or a plane or keeping their mansion, they helped about 10 needy American families get back on their feet financially with $80,000 of debt forgiveness each; but (2) I am MORE delighted that they chose to make an impact that will help about 10 THOUSAND people get on their feet. People are people - no matter what patriotic way you slice it, helping a thousand Ghanians is more impactful than helping out one American. When you have little prior information about the person you're directing your philanthropy towards, why not donate where your money goes the furthest and can in fact be transformative? Not that I have the authority to praise or criticize their decision in

Now i know folks probobly have the whole arguement that these folks already have money so it is not a big deal, but the thin is: they did something. Whether they chose over seas or in country, they did something. I really admire that. In 1989 my husband and I felt that we needed to do Matt. 25: 35-40. We atarted taking in the homeless and drug addicts.. some people were changed some were not. But we got off our ass and did something. I really admire this family and the un selfish attitude the children have. Thumbs up dad and mom. While i am reading this, i am thinking how can i do more.?? I loved Hannah's notes in this book, she has some real wisdom for a young soul. I loved this book, because of the realness of the whole thing. They are open and honest and hard on themselves too. Good job folks.

I approached "The Power of Half" thinking the author, or maybe his daughter, had some generous yet unrealistic expectations of what donating half the money from the sale of their house would do for the poor. But it was not an overnight deal. Kevin Salwen and his family spent more than a year poring through the possibilities, debating how to give and how where it should go -- all the while going over the same things I questioned, like what if they are taken advantage of, what if the experiment failed, what it all the money just sinks into a deep, dark hole (like all the money from so many large organizations and countries have gone before)? Yes, they thought about it, and the whole process is explained -- how it started, what the family went through and the surprising transformation in the end. Kevin Salwen is a journalist and his years of writing experience makes this book not only an interesting subject, but enjoyable and easy to read. His daughter writes excerpts in each chapter, which gives a teenager's perspective and some suggested activities to do with the family. This is an inspirational book. The Salwen family has the courage to do something I would never do. Indeed, I thought they were nuts, but it is a lesson in humility. I applaud them.

I really liked this book and finished it in two days. The Salwen family had a long history of volunteer work and financial support for charities but fourteen year old Hannah wanted to do more. The book walks you through the epiphany Hannah experienced to the family's decision to sell their luxury home and donate half of the profits to a charity. The book includes tips from Hannah to help your family get more involved in charitable works. While I admire the Salwen's and enjoyed the book I couldn't help but feel disappointed that this American family chose to give their support and money to a country in Africa. The explanation for this in the book is that the family wanted to donate where they could directly affect the lives of those they helped but the still ignore the widespread suffering of the homeless and unwanted pets in the U.S.A.

We live in a society that is increasingly fueled by consumption, bombarded by subtle and not so subtle messages that our value is measured by the amount and quality of our acquisitions. Like many of us, the Salwens were running fast on the treadmill to the American success story. Although they had a better than passing awareness of poverty, donating time and money to improve the lives of others, there was the nagging sense that more could be done. Unlike many of us, they were willing to ask difficult questions about the inequities in the world and more importantly, to make the personal changes that would create greater security and opportunity for others. This family is articulate, cohesive, educated, financially and socially privileged and it would be easy to write their story off as impossible for average folks. The truth is, there are few people with nothing to give. It is always easy to see what the next guy could/should/might do but not as comfortable when it comes to letting go of the things that WE deem to be non-negotiable. Without judgment, this book offers honest insight into the psychology if consumption and the way that it diminishes our ability to see beyond our own sense of entitlement. It serves too as a reminder that while generosity cannot be demanded, it is easily invited. Each chapter includes input from the Salwen children with practical suggestions for ways that any interested family or individual can become involved. "Changing lives" is a very possible process that benefits everyone who is willing to commit to doing their part. This is a book that should be read and discussed by families, faith communities, educators, activists and non-activists alike.