The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind...and lines

Let me tell you about a book. This book is called The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope. (It's a mouthful, I know.) Here's the summary:

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land withered by drought and hunger. But William had read about windmills, and he dreamed of building one that would bring to his small village a set of luxuries that only 2 percent of Malawians could enjoy: electricity and running water. His neighbors called him misala—crazy—but William refused to let go of his dreams. With a small pile of once-forgotten science textbooks; some scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves; and an armory of curiosity and determination, he embarked on a daring plan to forge an unlikely contraption and small miracle that would change the lives around him.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a remarkable true story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. It will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him.

(Credit:http://www.amazon.com/The-Boy-Who-Harnessed-Wind/dp/0061730335)

I had to read this book as a "Common Literature Experience" for my University Connection class, here at Utah State....and I really loved it! I like most books, but this one is truly great. It is inspiring and moving, and it is current (all the events occurred in the last decade). Even better, this week I had the opportunity to hear William speak twice. I was so impressed his ingenuity, drive, and general cheerfulness. After everything he's gone through, he could be bitter, but he's such a positive person! I thought that was amazing. 

Now, because I enjoyed the book so much I really wanted to get my book signed by William, and luckily enough USU held a book signing this afternoon. It started at noon, so I showed up a few minutes before then...and the line was HUGE. I got in line and prepared to wait. 

And that's exactly what I did.

For over an hour.

75 minutes. 

...

And then, the Connections coordinator announced that William had a flight to catch and would be leaving in 15 minutes.

And there were still 30 people in front of me. Mother of Pearl.

I decided that since I had waited so long, I should just stick it out and hope for the best (being positive and all that jazz). And the line creeped forward...

Inch by torturous inch...

And...

I made it! It was close (he left just a minute or two after signing mine), but I made it.

And that's all that counts. P.S. Go read this book! 

May the force be with you.

-McKenna