David Bornstein

David Bornstein is an American journalist and author who specializes in writing about social innovation and social entrepreneurship. His work focuses on documenting solutions to major social problems and the individuals driving positive social change. Bornstein's most well-known book is "How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas" (2003), which has been published in more than 20 languages. The book profiles innovative social entrepreneurs and their approaches to addressing issues in education, health care, environmental protection, and poverty alleviation. As a journalist, he has contributed regularly to The New York Times, where he co-authored the "Fixes" column in the Opinionator section. His other significant works include "The Price of a Dream: The Story of the Grameen Bank" and "Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know." Bornstein co-founded Solutions Journalism Network in 2013, an organization that trains journalists to report on responses to social problems rather than just the problems themselves. His work has influenced how journalism covers social change and has helped establish social entrepreneurship as a recognized field of study and practice.

Readers value Bornstein's ability to explain complex social issues through compelling real-world examples. His book "How to Change the World" receives praise for profiling concrete solutions rather than just highlighting problems. What readers liked: - Clear writing style that makes social entrepreneurship concepts accessible - Use of specific case studies and success stories - Practical insights for people wanting to create social change - Balance of inspiration and actionable information What readers disliked: - Some find the case studies too long and detailed - Writing can be dry in technical sections - Limited coverage of failures or challenges faced by social entrepreneurs Ratings/Reviews: - "How to Change the World" averages 4.1/5 on Goodreads (2,500+ ratings) - 4.5/5 on Amazon (150+ reviews) - Common review comment: "Changed my perspective on how individuals can tackle big social problems" - Frequent criticism: "Could be more concise" The book remains popular in social entrepreneurship courses and with NGO professionals seeking practical frameworks for creating impact.

How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas (2004) Examines social entrepreneurs across the world who have developed solutions to social problems, featuring case studies of innovators in education, health care, and economic development.

Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know (2010) Provides definitions, frameworks, and examples of social entrepreneurship through a question-and-answer format covering the field's development and implementation.

The Price of a Dream: The Story of the Grameen Bank (1996) Chronicles the creation and growth of Muhammad Yunus's Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and its pioneering work in microfinance.

So You Want to Change the World? (2021) Explains methods and principles for creating positive social change, drawing from research and interviews with successful change-makers across different sectors.

Success Stories (2016) Presents a collection of articles originally published in The New York Times about individuals and organizations implementing solutions to social and environmental challenges.

Paul Hawken writes about social enterprise and sustainable business models, focusing on solutions to environmental and economic challenges. His work combines research on entrepreneurship with systemic approaches to global issues, similar to Bornstein's focus on social innovation.

Muhammad Yunus documents the development of microfinance and social business models that address poverty. His books examine how entrepreneurial solutions can tackle social problems through market-based approaches.

Bill Drayton writes about social entrepreneurs and system-changing solutions through his work with Ashoka. He explores how individuals create new models for social change, documenting case studies and methodologies for scaling impact.

Peter Singer analyzes ethical frameworks for addressing global poverty and social issues through practical action. His work examines how individuals can maximize their positive impact on society through strategic choices and interventions.

Frances Moore Lappé investigates food systems, democracy, and social change through a solutions-oriented lens. She documents grassroots initiatives and democratic innovations that demonstrate paths to solving major social challenges.