Author: Doc Hendley
Publisher: Avery, January 5, 2012
Genre: Memoir
My Rating: B
Summary (from the publisher):
The captivating story of an ordinary bartender who’s changing the world through clean water.
Doc Hendley never set out to be a hero. In 2004, Hendley-a small- town bartender- launched a series of wine-tasting events to raise funds for clean-water projects and to bring awareness to the world’s freshwater crisis. He planned to donate the proceeds through traditional channels, but instead found himself traveling to one of the world’s most dangerous hot spots: Darfur, Sudan.
There, Doc witnessed a government-sponsored genocide where the number-one weapon wasn’t bullets-it was water. With limited funds, Doc realized that he couldn’t build new wells costing $10,000 a pop, but he could hire local workers to restore a damaged well for a mere $50 each.
He’d found his mission.Today, Doc and Wine to Water continue to help stricken peoples repair and maintain water-containment systems in places like Darfur, Cambodia, Uganda, and Haiti.
Doc is a regular, rough-and-tumble guy who loves booze, music, and his Harley- but he also wanted to help. Wine to Water is a gripping story about braving tribal warfare and natural disasters and encountering fascinating characters in far-flung regions of the world.
My Thoughts:
I have a thing about making sure my first book of the year is special. (Last year’s was The Help.) I picked this one because I wanted something inspirational. This story of a young man who took his skills to propel change in the world definitely inspired me.
Doc (a nickname, not a profession) Hendley may be called an “ordinary bartender” but what he is accomplishing is anything but. On top of that, he’s young – early 30s.
I liked reading about his childhood and how he took stock of his life. It was amazing how he came up with his idea and then, with no big fanfare, made it all happen. And that was just the beginning. How he took his idea and turned it into action is like reading a super adventure novel.
I also enjoyed learning about the clean water issues around the world. I take clean water for granted, and I’m embarrassed that I complain occasionally about it’s taste. All that is nothing compared to what is happening to the people Doc Hendley is helping. It’s a serious, wide-spread problem and Doc Hendley is making a difference. I recommend reading Wine to Water.
____________________________________________________
Thanks to the publisher for my copy of the book and to TLC Book Tours for allowing me to be a part of it all. To see other stops on the book tour, visit the schedule here: TLC Book Tours
I admire people who make things happen like that and often wish I was more like them. This sounds like a book I’d enjoy.
I just read about this somewhere else and was thinking I wanted to read it. Such an important topic! Water is just such a huge issue that most people in the U.S. don’t even think about. I’ve started cringing at all the water served and wasted in restaurants!
Anyone who can go to a place like Darfur and accomplish something productive has my lifelong admiration. I feel small thinking about such a person.
For Christmas this year our family charities all had to do with clean water so what perfect timing for this book. I have to take a look at this one. What a great subject.
We really do take water for granted. I know how upset I get when the power goes out and I can’t flush the toilet, do the laundry, make a pot of coffee..I think we’re spoiled. Sounds like an inspiring read!
I’m so glad that this was the perfect book to kick off this new year for you! Thanks for being a part of the tour.
This looks so inspirational!