Toilets, plumbers, and development economists. This book is provocative at several levels—designed to disturb the professional development specialist and force a change in the public discourse on economic development. Does Easterly really mean to criticize the accumulated knowledge of so many who have fought so hard to bring knowledge and empiricism to the forefront of development? Yes and no. Yes, because he views accumulated knowledge or "expertise" as being consciously or unconsciously biased against those who strive hard (on their own) for success. No, because he recognizes, as reflected in the above quote, that knowledge (read experts) can really save lives and make the world a better place.