If you have ever been curious about charities, this book is for you. If you have ever helped a charity, this book is about you. The Beggar is about the issues confronting and the actions of, the donors, volunteers and staff of typical charities in modern America. It is told from the point of view of a professional fund raiser who uses his own experiences and those of his colleagues to shed light on the charitable world. Ralph Lewis spent many years working with donors and volunteers and wrote this book as a way of thanking them for all they do. The nonprofit is not like other businesses but it is very American and very good for America.