From Doctor Livingstone 150 years ago to the rock star Bono today, outsiders have championed foreign intervention in Africa through political, economic, and health care reforms. Although frequently exploitative, the relationship between Westerners and Africa is also often propelled by an almost irresistible urge to "do good".

Krotz follows the projects of scientists, NGOs, lawyers, and peacekeepers, all motivated in some manner by the desire to "do good" in Africa. He focuses specifically on the Angolan civil war, AIDS research in Kenya, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the UNIM circumcision research project in Kenya. Krotz examines the ethical and social implications of these projects, and raises many difficult and critically important questions: How have we come to think the way we do about Africa and its people? What has motivated us to action, for good or ill? And, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, is there a choice to be made between doing nothing and doing the well intentioned but perhaps wrong thing?