This book investigates why well-intentioned humanitarian aid efforts frequently fail to achieve their goals and can even exacerbate existing problems. Christopher J. Coyne, drawing on economic principles, analyzes the systemic issues within governmental and NGO-led humanitarian interventions. He examines how bureaucratic inefficiencies, misallocation of resources, and unintended consequences lead to aid not reaching those most in need. The book uses the 2010 Haiti earthquake as a case study to illustrate these failures and argues for a reevaluation of current aid models.

The book is regarded as a provocative and timely critique of contemporary humanitarian aid practices, utilizing economic theory to dissect their shortcomings. It challenges conventional wisdom by arguing that well-intentioned efforts can lead to harm rather than help. The analysis, particularly through the lens of the Haiti earthquake, aims to stimulate debate on the efficacy and structure of global aid.