The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope
by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer holds a highly rated rating of 4.07 out of 5, based on 13.4K reader ratings. First published in 2009. The book spans 270 pages.
About The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope
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, and a place where hope and opportunity were hard to find. But William had read about windmills in a book called Using Energy, and he dreamed of building one that would bring electricity and water to his village and change his life and the lives of those around him. His neighbors may have mocked him and called him misala—crazy—but William was determined to show them what a little grit and ingenuity could do.Enchanted by the workings of electricity as a boy, William had a goal to study science in Malawi's top boarding schools. But in 2002, his country was stricken with a famine that left his family's farm devastated and his parents destitute. Unable to pay the eighty-dollar-a-year tuition for his education, William was forced to drop out and help his family forage for food as thousands across the country starved and died.Yet William refused to let go of his dreams. With nothing more than a fistful of cornmeal in his stomach, a small pile of once-forgotten science textbooks, and an armory of curiosity and determination, he embarked on a daring plan to bring his family a set of luxuries that only two percent of Malawians could afford and what the West considers a necessity—electricity and running water. Using scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves, William forged a crude yet operable windmill, an unlikely contraption and small miracle that eventually powered four lights, complete with homemade switches and a circuit breaker made from nails and wire. A second machine turned a water pump that could battle the drought and famine that loomed with every season.Soon, news of William's magetsi a mphepo—his "electric wind"—spread beyond the borders of his home, and the boy who was once called crazy became an inspiration to those around the world.Here is the remarkable story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual's ability to change his community and better the lives of those around him.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer |
| Published | 2009 |
| Pages | 270 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, Science |
| Average Rating | 4.07 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 13,374 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope?
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope is categorized as Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, Science. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope worth reading?
Based on 13.4K reader ratings, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope has an average score of 4.07 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope?
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope has 270 pages.
Who wrote The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope?
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope was written by William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer. It was first published in 2009.
What is the ISBN for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope?
The ISBN-13 for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope is 9780061730320.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
