One Red Paperclip
by Kyle Mcdonald

Release Date: 29th May 2008
Publisher: Hutchinson
ISBN: 978 0 0919 1453 0
RRP: Ł7.99

The Reader's Choice for June 2008...

Imagine if you could swap your way from something as small as a red paperclip for something as big as a house. One man dared to dream, and One Red Paperclip is the official account of that journey.
Kyle MacDonald makes no bones about the fact that he was a bit of a bum when his journey began... in fact, he appeared to be searching for some meaning to his existence and when his rather sentimental reminisces about a childhood game called 'Bigger and Better' resurfaced, he had what some would call a Eureka moment. A tentative and particularly modest start began with his swap of the now infamous red paperclip that he found on his desk - for a wooden fish pen. Not entirely convinced himself, it was only when he tapped into the power of the internet and the hype that it can create that his swaps began to get interesting...

Told in what can only be described as cornball American style, MacDonald's childlike enthusiasm bursts from the pages and you can't help but get swept along. His recounting is honest and occasionally odd, but that makes it all the more lovable and you find yourself wanting him to succeed... he just comes across as a genuinely nice guy with an impenetrably sunny disposition.

With titbits from his online quest are quoted throughout, including some bizarre trade propositions as well as details of how he coped with the almost overnight media sensation that the One Red Paperclip crusade became. MacDonald also offers what I'm sure he thinks were words of wisdom and encouragement at the end of each trade - these don't quite work and nor do the black and white photos (colour would have been much better).

All said and done a unique story that really sells what a powerful tool the internet really is - that and reinforcing the truism that one man can make a difference, even in this fickle and ever globalised world.

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