Twenty-Seven Dollars and a Dream: How Muhammad Yunus Changed the World and What It Cost Him

After working for years as a social entrepreneur, Katharine Esty uses her vast experience to show just how Muhammad Yunus became the Father of Microfinance. She gives the reader an inside view of the man, not just a focus on his famed work that earned him the accolades of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Congressional Gold Medal. This book reveals a much broader scope of the multifaceted genius and uncovers both the successes and failures he encountered while becoming an international celebrity. The book could be used to teach international business principals and microfinance theory, but it's also a very interesting read about a truly remarkable man. Esty weaves in just enough psychological insight to make readers come away with an appreciation for what personal qualities it takes to dedicate your life to a dream.

This is one of the greatest books I have ever read. I picked this book from a reading list for my entrepreneurship class this summer because the title looked interesting and I'm so glad I did. Do not go through life without hearing the story of this amazing man. Truly inspirational and a great read!

This book brilliantly looks at Yunus's history in a way that illuminates him, and allows an understanding of the recent accusations of Yunus and micro-credit. Particularly effective and enjoyable is Esty's interweaving of her own reactions and observations as she was researching the book. It makes the book more personal, and at the same time, more objective. And it is thoroughly engaging.

A measured and even account of Yunis' life, achievements and personal flaws. I particularly liked Esty's personal observations and responses to the people and environment she so effectively portrayed. I was left admiring the man but also wondering whether it is only possible for blokes to do great things at the expense of personal relationships?

This man has made an extremely important contribution to world economy and should be more well known. The author presents a clear picture of his accomplishments and the book is very readable. I regret that the author had to self publish and did not get more promotion.

I wanted to learn more about social entrepreneurship. This book certainly explains and discusses this topic in way it makes it easy to understand.

Great book if you want to know more about the evolution of microfinance.

I love to read about people who accomplish the extraordinary, and I sure got my fill with this biography. It's amazing to learn how a simple urge to help a few poverty-stricken women get out of debt (in an amount that is pocket change to most people in the US) spawned a life-long effort to change the lives of poor entrepreneurs, despite a host of obstacles that include political intrigue and personal loss. My only quibble with the book is I did not learn as much about Mr. Yunus's personal life as I would have liked. I know he has a wife as well as an ex-wife and a daughter -- it would have been good to get their personal perspective on this incredible man.