The Big Truck That Went By

Jonathan M. Katz was the only full-time American news correspondent in Haiti when the devastating 2010 earthquake struck. As both a participant and observer, he documented the immediate aftermath and subsequent relief efforts from a rare inside perspective. The book follows Katz's experiences on the ground as he investigates why the billions of dollars in international aid failed to reach many Haitians in need. His reporting tracks the money trail and examines the complex dynamics between foreign NGOs, the Haitian government, and local communities during the crisis. Through extensive research and firsthand accounts, Katz reconstructs the key events and decisions that shaped Haiti's post-earthquake reality. The narrative spans from the initial chaos through the cholera outbreak and the contentious presidential election that followed. The book raises fundamental questions about the effectiveness of international disaster response and foreign aid systems. It stands as a critique of how good intentions and massive resources can sometimes lead to unintended consequences in humanitarian crises.

Readers found this book offered unique insights into Haiti's 2010 earthquake recovery through Katz's first-hand reporting as an AP correspondent living in Port-au-Prince. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanation of why aid money failed to reach Haitians - Personal narratives that humanized the crisis - Investigation into the UN's role in the cholera outbreak - Balance of personal experience with factual reporting Common criticisms: - Too much focus on Katz's personal story - Structure feels scattered at times - Some sections drag with policy details Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (160+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Shows how good intentions went wrong in Haiti" - Amazon reviewer "Made me rethink everything I knew about humanitarian aid" - Goodreads reviewer "Important but could have used tighter editing" - Goodreads reviewer

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🚛 Author Jonathan M. Katz was the only full-time American news correspondent in Haiti during the devastating 2010 earthquake, giving him a unique first-hand perspective of both the disaster and its aftermath. 🏥 The book reveals that UN peacekeepers inadvertently introduced cholera to Haiti after the earthquake, leading to an epidemic that killed over 10,000 people and infected hundreds of thousands more. 💰 Despite $16.3 billion in pledged international aid for Haiti's recovery, only a fraction actually reached the country, and even less benefited the Haitian people directly. 🏛️ The book's title comes from a Haitian woman's description of the earthquake: "It was like a big truck went by, but the big truck never left." 🌍 Katz contracted cholera himself while reporting on the epidemic, adding another layer of personal experience to his documentation of Haiti's post-disaster challenges.