Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
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
Buy on Amazon →

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

In The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, William Kamkwamba recounts his remarkable journey from poverty to innovation in Malawi, where he constructs a windmill to provide electricity for his village. The memoir explores themes of resilience, ingenuity, and the transformative power of education, deftly blending personal narrative with broader social commentary. Kamkwamba's clear, accessible style not only inspires but also highlights the potential of grassroots solutions in addressing global challenges.
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
list · global
20090
✍️
About the Author
William Kamkwamba
Malawi
View Author →

William Kamkwamba is a Malawi author whose work in biography & memoir has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

Happy Children
The Parenting Companion
Happy Children
What Evolution Actually Built Your Child’s Emotions For
Your child’s emotions are not the problem. They are the operating system.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
literary-fiction

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

Ocean Vuong· 2019
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score93/100
Cover of The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between
biography-memoir

The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between

Hisham Matar· 2016
★Pulitzer Prize
Editorial Score91/100
Cover of Orange Is the New Black
biography-memoir

Orange Is the New Black

Piper Kerman· 2010
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score90/100
Cover of Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster
biography-memoir

Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster

Svetlana Alexievich· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score89/100
Cover of Unbowed: A Memoir
biography-memoir

Unbowed: A Memoir

Wangari Maathai· 2006
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score78/100
Cover of Schindler's Ark
biography-memoir

Schindler's Ark

Thomas Keneally· 1982
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score76/100

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.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

✍️More Biography & MemoirBrowse all Biography & Memoir books🇲🇼Books from Malawi🇲🇼 Malawi literature📅2000s BooksPublished in the 2000s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time