50 Facts That Should Change the World

By Jessica Williams

In this new edition of her bestseller, Jessica Williams tests the temperature of our world and diagnoses a malaise with some shocking symptoms. Get the facts but also the human side of the story on the world?s hunger, poverty, material and emotional deprivation; its human rights abuses and unimaginable wealth; the unstoppable rise of consumerism, mental illness, the drugs trade, corruption, gun culture, the abuse of our environment and more. The prognosis might look bleak, yet there is hope, Williams argues, and it's down to us to act now to change things.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Icon Books Ltd
• Release date: Aug 2, 2007
• ISBN: 9781848312654

Reviews for 50 Facts That Should Change the World

[lynnb_64 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a collection of short essays on 50 different facts -- ranging from troubilng to shocking -- that the author has compiled. Fact such as: there are 27 million slaves in the world today; black men born in th U.S. today stand a one in three chance of going to jail; 30 million people in Africa are HIV positive.The book is saved from being totally depressing by the inclusion of ideas on how individuals can get involved and do something tomake the world a better place. Well documented, not preachy.

[martensgirl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A well-researched book that contains some frightening stats. It desperately needs updating, but is an insightful read nonetheless.

[wanderingeileen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There are 27 million slaves in the world today. Nearly half of Americans believe aliens have landed on Earth. Landmines kill or maim at least one person every hour.Before I read Jessica Williams' "50 Facts that Should Change the World," I considered myself a fairly aware person when it comes to problems facing the word. Poverty. Global warming. The oppression of women and children. Nailed it! Right?Wrong. So very wrong. This book is poised and ready to slap you across the face with a big dose of awareness. I would challenge anyone who thinks they have a grasp on the world's problems to pick up this book. Also, it would be great for anyone who simply wants to learn more about what's really going on in the world, and enjoys that process. Many argue that, as a country, as individuals, it "isn't our job to solve the world's problems." Even if that's the way you feel, Williams' books can provide valuable snapshots into life in the 21st Century.BBC journalist Jessica Williams put out the first version of "50 Facts" in 2004. I read the "2.0" version, which was published in 2007 -- and already seems outdated in many ways. The book was published by Disinformation Company Ltd., which brought us such wonders as "Everything You Know is Wrong" by Russ Kick (which I might save for next year, when I need another blast-to-the-brain of awareness).There is also a "50 Facts that Should Change the USA" out, by Stephen Fender.Because Williams is a British journalist, "50 Facts" contains both American and British statistics. Each fact is backed up by 3-5 pages of explanation, reference and context. However, don't be fooled by it's concise content: this book is heavy. I'm a rather stubborn learner, but I feel that reading this book straight through, cover to cover, changed me. Brightened with new facts about the world's plights, I would attempt to read them out loud to my boyfriend: eventually he urged me to stop, because they were too depressing.And, truthfully, it is depressing. There are so many drastic problems facing this world, and most Americans truck along through their lives, unaware. It took me nearly two weeks to complete this book, because sometimes those facts will hit you hard and you have to stop. After reading about executions, torture, the rise of Starbucks, domestic violence in Russia or food additives, I would have to put the book down and hug my cat for a little while. However, I am deeply glad I read this book. Yes, it is "shocking, sickening and sordid," but in many ways it woke me up, and I had no idea I was asleep to a majority of the world's problems. It has given me a new focus, and blessedly the book provides ways for concerned individuals to get involved and make a difference. I wouldn't reccomend reading it straight through, like I did; perhaps read a chapter at a time, process what you've read and then put it back on the bookshelf for another day.I am going to keep this book around until 3.0 comes out, and I feel that I'll always have some "50 Facts" books in my library for reference.

[maggie_rum · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Eye-opening, refreshing and scary.

[shannonkearns · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

the stats in this book were really overwhelming, but good to know. it's a bit outdated as it was published in 2003, and i would really like to see this information with current figures. i have a feeling it would be even more depressing. but it was still a good book and covered a wide range of issues facing the world. i would highly recommend it.

[plappen_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Here is another example of the bad job done by the mainstream media in informing Americans about the state of the world. This book presents a number of facts, with accompanying essays, that will not be covered on the evening news.In 2002, more than 80 percent of the world’s executions took place in just three countries, China, Iran and America. Black men born in the US stand a one in three chance of going to jail, while white men have a one in seventeen chance of going to jail. Because of the Asian preference for male over female babies, and because of China’s one-child policy, China has 44 million missing women. Over one-fifth of the world’s population lives on less than one dollar a day. One-third of the world’s obese people, and over 80 percent of the smokers, live in developing countries.Did you know that nearly half of Americans believe that aliens have landed on Earth? According to one estimate, there are over 67,000 lobbyists in Washington, which equals 125 for each member of Congress. Ten languages disappear every year. Every year, America spends $10 billion on pornography, the same amount it spends on foreign aid. More than 70 percent of the world has never heard a dial tone.This book also includes sources for each of the essays, and organizations to contact for those who are inspired to get involved in any of these areas. It is excellent, and I enjoyed reading it. Compare the subjects in this book to what is shown on the "all-news" channels. To get a very different view of the world, this is a fine place to start.