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Cover of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Biography & Memoir· Malawi

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

by William Kamkwamba
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
#135,347of 99,626 books
Published 2009English
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About This Book

Published in 2009, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind established William Kamkwamba as one of the defining voices in biography & memoir. This memoir tells the inspiring story of William Kamkwamba, a young Malawian boy who, despite facing severe poverty and famine, built a windmill to power his family's home. The book highlights the power of ingenuity and determination, and it has been celebrated for its uplifting narrative and insight into life in rural Malawi. Themes of innovation, perseverance, education run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorWilliam Kamkwamba
Published2009
Country of Origin🇲🇼 Malawi
LanguageEnglish
Category✍️ Biography & Memoir
ISBN9780061730337
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

✍️ Biography & Memoir

True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

Explore all Biography & Memoir books →
Country of Origin

🇲🇼 Malawi

This book is part of Malawi's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Malawi →

Editorial Assessment

William Kamkwamba published The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind in 2009, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of biography & memoir from Malawi. The book's treatment of innovation, perseverance, education, poverty accounts for much of its enduring reputation. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of innovation, perseverance, education, poverty is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. William Kamkwamba's role in the literature of Malawi is well established. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
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20090
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About the Author
William Kamkwamba
Malawi
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William Kamkwamba is a Malawi author whose work in biography & memoir has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind about?

This memoir tells the inspiring story of William Kamkwamba, a young Malawian boy who, despite facing severe poverty and famine, built a windmill to power his family's home. The book highlights the power of ingenuity and determination, and it has been celebrated for its uplifting narrative and insight into life in rural Malawi.

Who wrote The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind was written by William Kamkwamba, from Malawi. First published in 2009.

What awards has The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind won?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind worth reading?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in innovation, perseverance, education.

Where can I buy The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind?

You can buy The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is classified as Biography & Memoir. True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

What country is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind from?

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind originates from Malawi's literary tradition. Explore more books from Malawi on our country page.

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