The Skimmer

Book Review: Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder

Strength in What Remains By Tracy Kidder; Random House; 277 pages

The nightmare started with silence: one fall morning in 1993, none of the doctors at the Burundian hospital where Deogratias Niyizonkiza worked showed up. War had erupted, forcing the promising medical student to embark on a harrowing flight through the bloodstained hills of Burundi and Rwanda. Armed with a ticket bought by a friend's father, he boarded a plane to New York City--where he arrived with no English, no contacts and just $200 in his pocket. Facing hunger, homelessness and heavy odds, the young refugee--propelled by the kindness of strangers--rose...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!