The book starts with three examples of people who gave generously to help others, each of whom returns in later chapters to tell their stories in depth. The purpose of the book is laid out from the start: to share ways of giving both time and money to help others, and to encourage readers to do so. The authors’ emphasis is increasing opportunities for people around the world to live healthy lives and use their talents to the fullest. To this end, the focus is on using evidence-based research to pinpoint what assistance is effective and how best to provide it. Americans are generous—third on the list of generosity by country, as compiled by the World Giving Index—and want to help others, so this book is a “how-to” manual to give people ideas.

The authors argue that more important than spending money to treat the results of poverty is focusing on the causes, and thanks to research, we now have a better idea of what is effective. Money spent to prevent a problem is often far less than what is needed once a problem has set in. For example, deworming a child in Asia or Africa can be done for half a dollar a year.