Valentino Achak Deng is the subject of Dave Eggers' newest book, What is the What, which tells Deng's story from his pre-war life in southern Sudan to his resettlement in the United States. I have not yet read the book (my wife tells me it is superb and very moving), but I know it is having a profound effect on college students -- one of Eggers' captive audiences -- both in the United States and abroad and is doubtless helping to keep Sudan top of mind as its crises stretch on and the news media turns elsewhere.

I had heard that proceeds from this very successful book would go to victims of Sudan's civil war, but I was surprised and impressed to see how intentionally the connection between Deng's story and the wider problems (and solutions) is made on the foundation's website. It directs readers to learn about Sudan, plug into relevant organizations, and take action, holding to Deng's story with pictures and stories of his work while broadening the perspective beyond him as well.

Here's to a creative and well-executed advocacy campaign on Sudan. It's not easy to get people to take time to learn the details and nuances of such a complex conflict (a tribute to Eggers' writing) and connect them to tangible action, but Eggers and Deng seem to be doing it.