An Imperfect Offering

Humanitarian Action for the Twenty-First Century

By: James Orbinski

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

“As Albert Camus wrote, the doctor’s role is as a witness - to witness authentically the reality of humanity, and to speak out against the horrors of political inaction… The only crime equaling inhumanity is the crime of indifference, silence, and forgetting.” - James Orbinski

In 1988, James Orbinski, then a medical student in his 20s, embarked on a year-long research trip to Rwanda, a trip that would change who he would be as a doctor and as a man. Investigating the conditions of pediatric AIDS in Rwanda, James confronted widespread pain and suffering, much of it preventable, much of it occasioned by political and economic corruption. Fuelled by the injustice of what he had seen in Rwanda, Orbinski helped establish the Canadian chapter of Mdecins Sans Frontires (Doctors Without Borders/MSF). As a member of MSF he travelled to Peru during a cholera epidemic, to Somalia during the famine and civil war, and to Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

In April 1994, James answered a call from the MSF Amsterdam office. Rwandan government soldiers and armed militias of extremist Hutus had begun systematically to murder Tutsis. While other foreigners were evacuated from Rwanda, Orbinski agreed to serve as Chef de Mission for MSF in Kigali. As Rwanda descended into a hell of civil war and genocide, he and his team worked tirelessly, tending to thousands upon thousands of casualties. In 14 weeks 800,000 men, women and children were exterminated. Half a million people were injured, and millions were displaced. The Rwandan genocide was Orbinski’s undoing. Confronted by indescribable cruelty, he struggled to regain his footing as a doctor, a humanitarian and a man. In the end he chose not to retreat from the world, but resumed his work with MSF, and was the organization’s president when it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

©2008 James Orbinski (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Deeply disturbing but essential reading

What did you love best about An Imperfect Offering?

This book offers an honest, unflinching look at a number of humanitarian crises around the word and throughout the past several decades. In a way that few other accounts have, the author delves into the myriad problems and very real danger aid organizations face in the field, as well as the mental trauma that stays with them for a lifetime.

What was one of the most memorable moments of An Imperfect Offering?

The authors descriptions of ordinary things in his life back home that trigger repressed memories from the genocide he witnessed in Rwanda.

Have you listened to any of Paul Boehmer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

N/A

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I can't see how anyone could take in so much heart-breaking information in one sitting. I took frequent breaks to listen to other books on my list or even return to funny books I've already read. This book is all consuming and the information is hard to shake off.

Any additional comments?

This is a difficult story to hear but one I think everyone needs to be told. The revelation that genocide can happen almost anywhere is stunning. That the international community did so little to stop it or even acknowledge it was happening is criminal. We must all bear witness to the darkest capabilities of humans so that they might never rear their heads again.

Gut-wrenching

This book inspires, nauseates, and brings you to the verge of tears. Could not think of a better title than the one Orbinski chose. I will be buying this as a hard copy to reference.

Amazing story!

A bit drily written, but Dr. Orbinski's memoir is nonetheless compelling. He is definitely one of my new heros! The narration was just meh.

An incredibly story that everyone should hear

This book should be required reading for every living being on this earth. The storytelling by Dr. Orbinski is second to none, and his experiences are awe-inspiring to say the least. The narration, however, is mediocre at best. It’s well worth listening to regardless, but it is a weakness in an otherwise fantastic audiobook.

what humanitarians really do

I always connected in my mind the word 'humanitarian' with rich celebrity donourers. never known how much risk and horrors those people encounter. also didnt known about the politics and dilemmas humanitarian groups have to face.
it's not an easy listening but its eye opening, and help cultivating compassion and hopefully action in the world.