Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Strength in What Remains summary
A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness
18 mins
Brief summary
Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder is a non-fiction book that tells the story of a man who escaped genocide in Burundi and started a new life in America. It explores the themes of resilience, kindness, and the power of human connection.
Topics
Table of Contents
Strength in What Remains
Summary of 8 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 8
Deo was a cowherd, and though violence and injustice pervaded the educational system, he excelled in school.
Deo’s background is humble. The settlements where he lived lacked electricity and a safe water supply, so infectious and parasitic illnesses were ubiquitous. Without a public health system or clinic at their disposal, the community simply had to suffer through these hardships.
He spent his youth in Burundi, where land was the only natural resource and, along with cows, the only form of wealth. The prized possession of Deo’s family was a large herd of cows. For farming and shepherding societies, such a flock was a source of prestige, and also a sort of insurance against times of scarcity.
Deo’s father built a small farm, where Deo and his siblings worked the land and tended the cows. Despite this simple lifestyle, Deo’s parents believed in the power of education, and were determined to send their children to school.
Even though Deo excelled in school, the violence and political discrimination that pervaded the Burundian educational system made things difficult. Not a day passed at Deo’s school that someone didn’t feel the sting of the teachers’ ruler or a eucalyptus branch, the punishment meted out for any and all infractions – tardiness, for example, or arriving at school with an uncompleted homework assignment.
To make matters worse, when Deo was growing up, Burundi was ruled by a succession of military dictators, all of whom belonged to a division of the population called the Tutsi. Similarly, the majority of secondary school teachers and university professors in Burundi also belonged to this group.
And Deo’s family belonged to the Tutsis, too. However, they had no political connections. For a country boy like Deo, the only ticket out of his village was good grades and a high mark on the nationwide exams administered to sixth graders. Luckily, Deo scored well enough to make the cut.
He excelled in middle school, and was eventually admitted to one of Burundi’s best high schools. There, he received outstanding grades that enabled him to enroll at the medical school at the University of Burundi.
Want to see all full key ideas from Strength in What Remains?
Key ideas in Strength in What Remains
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Strength in What Remains about?
Strength in What Remains (2009) tells the story of a man who, after fleeing war-torn Burundi, is able to make his dreams a reality with the help of a few kind souls. By following his story, you’ll learn all about how the small actions of a few good people can make a huge difference for a community on the other side of the world.
Strength in What Remains Review
Strength in What Remains (2009) by Tracy Kidder is a captivating account of survival and resilience. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- Packed with real-life stories of extraordinary individuals, it offers a powerful exploration of the human spirit and its ability to endure.
- By uncovering the challenges and triumphs faced by the book's protagonist, the narrative becomes not only remarkable but also deeply inspiring.
- Kidder's meticulous research and attention to detail bring to life a story that is both moving and thought-provoking, ensuring that every page holds your interest.
Best quote from Strength in What Remains
Germans claimed the kingdom of Burundi and Rwanda at the end of the nineteenth century; after World War I, the Belgians ran the countries until the early 1960s.
—Tracy Kidder
Who should read Strength in What Remains?
- Anyone interested in refugees' stories
- People curious about the Hutu-Tutsi conflict
- Established and aspiring philanthropists
Categories with Strength in What Remains
Book summaries like Strength in What Remains
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Strength in What Remains FAQs
What is the main message of Strength in What Remains?
The main message of Strength in What Remains is the power of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
How long does it take to read Strength in What Remains?
The reading time for Strength in What Remains varies, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Strength in What Remains a good book? Is it worth reading?
Strength in What Remains is a compelling read that offers a powerful perspective on the human spirit. It's definitely worth reading!
Who is the author of Strength in What Remains?
The author of Strength in What Remains is Tracy Kidder.
What to read after Strength in What Remains?
If you're wondering what to read next after Strength in What Remains, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Forgive by Timothy Keller
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- Let That Sh*t Go by Nina Purewal and Kate Petriw
- Good Energy by Casey Means
- We Over Me by Khadeen & Devile Ellis
- The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
- Eight Dates by John Gottman
- Powered by Me by Neha Sangwan
- Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood