February 10, 2010

Stones into Schools

Stones into Schools
by Greg Mortenson

When I read Three Cups of Tea, I was amazed and impressed by Greg Mortenson's travails and ultimate success in his quest to build a school in remote northern Pakistan. (I reviewed Three Cups here.)

Stones Into Schools begins when Mortenson meets a group of sixteen Kirghiz horsemen who have ridden six days to locate him on the Pakistan side of the Irshad Pass. These men have come from the farthest reaches of the remote Wakhan region of Afghanistan to ask Mortenson to build a school for their children.

Mortenson promises, but it takes him 10 years and much help from his native Pakistani and Afghani “dirty dozen” as he calls the brave lieutenants of his non-profit organization, Central Asia Institute (CAI), to achieve that goal. They must travel through areas afflicted by the ravages of 20 years of war, deal with landslides and earthquakes, and build relationships (through many cups of tea) with the local mujahedeen. Along the way, many poor communities request help, which is given where possible. The CAI builds several dozen schools while working toward one of the highest inhabited regions of the world where the Kirghiz horsemen dwell.
From the standpoint of overcoming incredible logistics, the CAI’s effort makes a fascinating story. But this is also the touching tale of  a people surrounded by Taliban fighters, opium trade, and cruel environmental conditions whose last best hope is that a school will bring a better life to their children and community. Their persistence and eventual success in fulfilling this dream is nothing short of legendary.
As Mortenson says in his last chapter, “If this is what the weakest, the least valued, the most neglected among us are capable of achieving, truly is there anything we cannot do?”
This is an inspiring book, well written.  Read it.
P.S.  I'm out of town for a few days, playing with my granddaughter.  I'll catch up on visiting your blogs when I return!

18 comments:

  1. I'll have to put the book on my list. Just goes to show us again how much can be done if one just really wants to do it hard enough.

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  2. Great review Janie.
    I am still reading Three Cups of Tea, I kind of paused to read something else, but will finish it soon.
    I think this Guy is JUST AMAZING, he should have a Nobel prize for sure.

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  3. Janie..you did a great review...makes me want to read it...will have to remember to write it down...

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  4. My wife is reading this right now. Did you see him on Bill Moyers? Check it out!

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  5. Thanks for the suggestion. I will get it and read it. Thanks.

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  6. I liked 3 cups of tea, but I loved this book! I was so inspired by Greg's work and the travels just blew me away. Have fun hugging on Zoey.

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  7. Enjoy your granddaughter.
    This book sounds like a wonderful read. I'm going to look into it.

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  8. My husband read Three Cups of Tea and really liked it. I plan on reading it soon too.

    Another really wonderful book written about the Middle East is Guests of the Sheik. It was written in the 1950's by the wife of an anthropology graduate student after they lived in a small (then) remote Shiite village in Iraq for 2 years.

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  9. Hi Janie, Give that precious grandbaby a hug from me!!!!!!

    Thanks for the great book review. Both of those books look incredible. That man is fantastic.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  10. He sounds an amazing and inspiring man - another author to go on my ever-growing list. Enjoy your time with your baby granddaughter :-)

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  11. "If this is what the weakest, the least valued, the most neglected among us are capable of achieving, truly is there anything we cannot do?”. Must be an inspiring book indeed. You have done a good job Janie! Kind regards. Philip

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  12. Hi Janie, I'm soon finished with this book on my Kindle. A very inspiring read. Spending time with a Granddaughter is one of my favorite pastimes.

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  13. I heard Mortensen's story on NPR--one of those "driveway moments" when you can't bear to leave the car until the story is over. Thanks for sharing the book review.

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  14. That was awesome. I like it.

    By the way, Happy Hearts Day and Kung Hei Fat Choi (Happy Chinese New Year). :)

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  15. Great review. I'll need to see if the local library has that book.

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  16. My spouse's book club selection and I read it inbetween. Your right it's a great book.

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