At first glance, it might strike the reader that the goal of this book is a little grandiose. How can any book claim to illustrate how to change the world? Yet author David Bornstein replies in a way that surely will stimulate thought, excitement, and discourse among readers: he believes change will occur through the support of social entrepreneurs.

 Who are social entrepreneurs? Addressing this question, Bornstein —— a writer in the field of social innovation —— writes about an organization, Ashoka, whose mission is to identify and support social entrepreneurs. Ashoka sponsors fellows from around the globe who show a fierce desire and salient ability to change social systems on a large scale. In his book, Bornstein describes the characteristics that set apart a social entrepreneur from other social leaders and businesspersons. Usually, the work of social entrepreneurs leads to change of social systems on a regional, national, or international level. Moreover, social entrepreneurs are people who encounter daunting resistance in their attempts to transform these systems, but whose obsessive determination allows them to overcome obstacles, including financial hardship, societal apathy, and criticism.

In a chapter entitled "Ten-Nine-Eight Childine!" the impact of such people is documented in the phenomenal example of an Indian social worker, Jeroo Billimoria, who created a national hotline to help abandoned and abused youth. Starting with just a few at-risk kids manning telephones on her own budget, Billimoria helped spread the hotline around India until it was formally adopted and supported by the government. Her story is also well written, and at one point I was moved to tears about the trials and triumphs of such an organizational visionary. She demonstrates that the impossible can actually be accomplished. This book is chock full of similar examples, such as the story of Veronica Khosa who helped institute home care for persons with AIDS in South Africa.

Fortunately, Bornstein provides the reader some ideas about how to implement your own ideas of social change. In the end, the reader walks away with a firm sense of the baby steps and grand leaps behind reforms in social policy. Nonprofit leaders and managers will benefit from learning about how social entrepreneurs intelligently handle all kinds of difficulties that come with the desire to change the status quo. Foundation managers and administrators will benefit from learning about qualities of dynamic leaders in the nonprofit sector.

Nelson Mandela read this book and said, "The stories of these social entrepreneurs will inspire and encourage many people who seek to build a better world." It's not hard to understand Mandela's response. This book may indeed truly enlighten the way you see the world, since it invites concerned citizens and social leaders to take a second look at what's around them and to develop higher standards of personal and professional involvement in their visions of social change.

For citations to additional materials on this topic refer to the Literature of the Nonprofit Sector Online, using the subject headings "Social action" or "Social welfare."