Bookish Thursday - My University of the World by Neill McKee

So starting off the year with the first review for WOW-Women on Writing for My University of the World by Neill McKee. 

But before I get to my opinion, let me share the synopsis of the book.

Book Summary

 

Neill McKee takes us on an entertaining journey through the developing world from 1970 to 2012. The story starts when he becomes a “one-man film crew,” documenting the lives of Canadian CUSO volunteers working in Asia and Africa as teachers, medical doctors, nurses, engineers, agriculturalists, foresters, and a biologist. He learns the craft of filmmaking and meets and marries Elizabeth “on the hoof.” The story is enlivened throughout by their challenges and adventures together, and Elizabeth’s growing artistic talent and creations.  

 

Beginning in 1975, the young couple settles in Ottawa and starts a family, while Neill roams the world for Canada’s International Development Research Centre. His award-winning films depict the agency’s philosophy and search for solutions to problems in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, education, health, water and sanitation, and more. Then in 1990, McKee joins UNICEF in Bangladesh, and later in Africa, where he initiates long-lasting multimedia programs for child health, with a focus on empowering girls. In 2001, he moves to Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA, and then to Moscow, Russia, where he oversees similar initiatives. That experience leads him to a memorable last post in Washington, D.C. as director of a large global communication project. 

 

Throughout the short chapters and in a brief epilogue, McKee reflects on the long-term impact of the projects he documented and of his media creations. His memoir is filled with compelling dialog, humorous and poignant incidents, thoughts on world development, vivid descriptions of people and places he visited, and many images, all of which bring readers into his “University of the World.”

 

ISBN-10: 1732945780

ISBN-13: 978-1732945784

Print Length: 522 Pages

 

Purchase a copy of My University of the World on Amazon or Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.

Ok, now for my thoughts...

First, I was looking forward to reading this book. I really enjoy this type of memoir/autobiography. I was looking forward to reading about his adventures. I was looking at it being a life-long 'year in the life of' type book, which I love. 

Second - it took me a minute to realize when he said it was 1970 and he was looking for something to do and all I could think of was 'Vietnam War'. Then I stopped and remembered he is Canadian. 

Third, while I know it is expensive to have color pictures in a book, there were many of the dozens of pictures he shared in the book I wish I could have seen in color. I also wish there had been a bit more about the people involved, especially in context of the times he was traveling. 

Unfortunately, while the life McKee has led is interesting, especially since he was in some of the most remote places in the world, I feel a bit more editing should have taken place. This is a memoir, so it is expected to be about the person who is writing the memoir. The number of times 'I' and 'me' (or 'we' and 'us' when traveling with his wife and family) became a game - how many times on one page could 'I' be used.

But this is just me getting caught up in something which might not bother anyone else. Knowing how hard it is to write a book, much less get it published, makes it difficult for me to bash an author. But I wish there had been more editing before it went to print. 

Don't base your desire to read the book based on my review only. Check out the following reviews.