Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Politics, International Relations, Public Health, Social Justice, African Studies, Non-Fiction, Current Affairs

Book Review:
Stephen Lewis's ''Race Against Time'' is a work of moral fury and profound humanity that transcends the typical boundaries of a lecture series. As the UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Lewis delivers an unflinching, first-hand account of the catastrophic human cost of global inaction. The book is structured around his 2005 Massey Lectures, where he masterfully dissects the failure of the international community to meet the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Lewis's prose is both elegant and incendiary, blending heartbreaking anecdotes with blistering criticism of bureaucratic inertia and political cowardice. Yet, this is not a book of despair. It is a clarion call to conscience, filled with concrete, attainable solutions and a relentless belief in our capacity to do better. The author's unique position as an insider—a diplomat, a former UNICEF deputy director, and an activist—lends unparalleled authority to his arguments. ''Race Against Time'' is essential reading for anyone concerned with global health, social justice, and the integrity of international institutions. It is a devastating indictment, a personal testimony, and ultimately, a roadmap for change. A masterpiece of engaged, passionate non-fiction.