We Fed an Island NPR coverage of We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time by Jose Andres and Richard Wolffe. The American Red Cross sent me to Puerto Rico to respond to the storm. Last Name.
But this book also solidified my decision not to support the Red Cross whenever they do their dI come from an emergency management background, as that was my job in the Air Force, so I was coming from that perspective to this book rather than a foodie who wanted to read a book from a chef. It is told with empathy and palpable energy but not in a self-congratulatory way.
The book would have been better if it lost about 100 pages and had some serious editing done.This book was wonderful, in a time of such sadness in Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria a nonprofit group of Chefs went to the island and fed hot food and ham sandwiches to everyone they possibly could. One night Bill was watching the game with his friends and mistakenly got drunk.
While I was excited to read the details of his charity and their experience in Puerto Rico, the reality of the book was that it was extremely repetitive and I learned little more than I would have through his interview or news reports. The economy was destroyed and for most people there was no clean water, no food, no power, no gas, and no way to communicate with the outside world. Directed by Peter Logue.
“Boy is I tired,” said bill. Unfortunately I just could not finish the book because it is just so downright negative and sickening. 2.5 stars rounded up, as the information and the work he did was important and necessary, and hopefully a helpful template for future disaster relief models, but the writing was lacking amd the book could have been edited down by at least 50 pages. This book makes me feel even more angry and depressed about the current administration than I already did, which I didn’t think was possible!Jose Andres has a passion for feeding people. Bill fell out not knowing that he was at the edge of the boat, Madison’s Grand Transportation, and fell over. The only change is that he becomes more vocal about criticizing President Trump.
All these counts went into a big Excel spreadsheet that FEMA maintained and emailed every day. Took a while to read due to the flow of the book and quality of the writing. Alimentamos una isla: Una historia verdadera sobre la reconstrucción de Puerto Rico !José Ramón Andrés Puerta, más conocido como José Andrés, es un cocinero español-estadounidense. Definitely recommend this one !
This is a five star story, but the writing (and editing) are not finely polished. I've been wanting to read this book since it first came out -- it seemed like a fascinating story of everyday people (well, okay, he's a famous chef, not "everyday people," but his group also wasn't a government relief agency) helping after a disaster. So my emotions were all over the place. Told through Jose Andres experience.
It would’ve been better as a podcast, or if a full length book, with more of the general background of how disaster recovery has been approached throughout recent history.
Included is a history of the relationship between the island and the United States, how it became a territory without the benefit of State status. FEMA is an unwiedly, bloated government agency that can't find its way even with a map and GPS and a guide person. It was great to hear how people came together and worked together with a common goal. this was hella inspiring.. even for one as cynical of the aid industry in general as i. it shows that there are more efficient modes of aiding those in need- by centralizing their needs, relying on the locals knowledge, their economy and their knowledge... and by individuals responding without the need for bureaucracy. But what a kind man, using his belief that food connects all people and that the preparation and distribution provides more that just a warm belly, but a connection that is vital for humanity.I saw this book in a bookstore and picked it up because I thought that there was an excellent possibility that my name was in it. You can view ... why survivors are being found, why people are drawn at random to go to the island, why he cant eat certain things and the list goes on and on. The book also sheds a necessary and unflattering light on the Red Cross, FEMA, and our global response to natural disaster relief in general, which was eye opening and informative. But I've definitely read worse writing from people who claim that as their primary professiLet's be honest, the man is a logistics savant and a stellar chef, not a professional writer. This is why this book was so hard to read for me.I am Puerto Rican who lived on the island during Hurricane María. One day a man named Bill was stranded on an island. This was part of the Anthony Bourdain imprint, so that may have impacted the final editing.3.5 really.
To be fair, there was some of that, along with some of Puerto Rico’s history, which did help round out the content.
Amazing story, not necessarily smooth writing. He repeats himself and his criticisms. He does not ask for contributions to his nonprofit, but you'll be eager to help them once you read this.This is an amazing story of wonderful chefs and volunteers who fed vast amounts of people after a terrible disaster, with virtually no help from the U.S. government.
It took me longer than I expected to finish this book, but not because of any flaws with the book, per se.