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4th out of 65 books
—
12 voters
The Price of Stones: Building a School for My Village
The extraordinary story of one man's gift to orphaned children in need of hope
Can one person really make a difference in the world? Twesigye Jackson Kaguri defied many naysayers-and his own nagging doubts-and proved that, with a dream and incredible determination, he could change many lives.
Growing up in rural Uganda, Kaguri overcame poverty to earn a degree from the n...more
Can one person really make a difference in the world? Twesigye Jackson Kaguri defied many naysayers-and his own nagging doubts-and proved that, with a dream and incredible determination, he could change many lives.
Growing up in rural Uganda, Kaguri overcame poverty to earn a degree from the n...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
June 10th 2010
by Viking Adult
(first published 2010)
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I'm so glad that Mr. Kaguri happened to walk into my store when I was around. I'm so glad he asked to sign stock, and I'm so glad I had some for him to sign. I'm so glad I read his book the very next day, and I'm so glad he promised to swing through my store again next week on his return. Everything about this book, this man, this story, makes me glad.
I always feel a little bit split on books like this -- here's a man who's accomplished an enormous amount of make-this-world-a-better-place, almo...more
I always feel a little bit split on books like this -- here's a man who's accomplished an enormous amount of make-this-world-a-better-place, almo...more
The comparisons to Three Cups of Tea are inevitable. Surprisingly, although Kaguri, as a native son, is much more involved in building his AIDS orphan school than Mortensen was with Afghani schools, the book is simply dull. The stories about his childhood are interesting, and he is obviously passionate about this cause, and his faith rings true, but the dramatic narrative of Tea isn't there at all. There will be a passing reference to, for example, "and then we built a second school," with no ex...more
I just happened across this book in the library 2 days ago. I was intrigued by the cover as currently work for a non-profit that does work in Africa, Uganda to be exact. Once I found out that the book covers the process and creation of building a school for orphaned children due to the AIDS epidemic in Uganda I knew I had to stop reading all my other books so I could learn more about this one first. I am quite glad I did.
Mr. Kaguri has done amazing work with setting up his school.... (The book...more
Mr. Kaguri has done amazing work with setting up his school.... (The book...more
The cover photo for this book is lovely - smiling, joyous children running, and the background is composed of green beautiful hills. Hard to believe these children are orphans, victims of HIV/AIDS.
This is one of those incredible true stories of a person who saw a need and vowed to do what he could to help. Twesigye Jackson Kaguri is from Uganda. When his older brother was dying of AIDS, he asked Twesigye to take on the responsibility for his children. Twesigye agreed and also tried to give bit...more
This is one of those incredible true stories of a person who saw a need and vowed to do what he could to help. Twesigye Jackson Kaguri is from Uganda. When his older brother was dying of AIDS, he asked Twesigye to take on the responsibility for his children. Twesigye agreed and also tried to give bit...more
Twesigye Jackson Kaguri, a native of Uganda, grows up and moves to the United States, but is drawn back to his homeland when three close family members get sick and die from the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In this true story, Twesigye is touched by the sheer number of deaths and the lives affected by suffering, particularly the AIDS orphans in his village. Education, he believes, is the only way out of the AIDS crisis and poverty in general. I've been inspired before by Paul Farmer of Mountains Beyond Mo...more
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Nice book. Twesi Jackson describes how he, his family, and a host of supporters have built a successful school for AIDS orphans in a rural Ugandan village. The narrative is interesting and keeps moving along. There are lots of personal stories along the way - Twesi includes stories from his youth - as well as those of other characters who appear in the book, including the children of the school.
The facts about AIDS in Uganda are depressing - the work that this school is doing is amazing, but sti...more
The facts about AIDS in Uganda are depressing - the work that this school is doing is amazing, but sti...more
Jul 18, 2010
Keela
added it
I found this book to be very inspiring. It certainly gave me a lot of insight into Ugandan life which I was able to connect to my own experiences in Kenya. As the founder of an organization that supports a school and an orphanage in Kenya (www.reason2smile.org), I was able to connect with Twesi in terms of fundraising struggles and hopes for the future of AIDs orphans. I love reading books such as this because they inspire me to work harder and give more. I would definitely recommend this book t...more
A fantastic and inspiring true story of how 1 person can still make a huge difference in the world. Twesigye was fortunate enough to be able to come to the US for education but was moved to start a school for AIDS orphans back in his home village. His faith in God and the loss of family members moved him to care for these children and he was able to use his contacts in the US to fund the school and educate the poorest of the poor. An eye opener to the suffering that HIV is still causing in areas...more
In the book The Price of Stones by Twesigye Jackson Kaguri we learn about a young boy and the struggles he must overcome to become what he is today. We follow Kaguri as a working young boy, to a working young man. He overcomes many obstacles throughout his life. This story mainly takes place in Uganda, where the main character lives with his family. Many diseases are going around at this time such as SIDS and AIDS. A large part of Kaguri's family has died from these diseases and a cure still has...more
The Price of Stones is the kind of book that inspires one to take action. The authors do an excellent job of making a very strong case for the reader to become involved in the lives of HIV/AIDS orphans. The only reason this book doesn't get more stars is that it's a little too sweet. It's not a morally complex story and doesn't challenge the reader in any way, other than to open one's pocketbook. Nonetheless, I recommend it. It's a quick read and even if you only donate $20, you know you're maki...more
I will finish reading this book tonight. I have absolutely loved it and it's one that I am thinking about often and wishing I could read nonstop! I am truly humbled by what Twesigye Jackson Kaguri has done in the rural village of his childhood in Uganda. This man is an angel and on a very important mission that will truly change the world. I am inspired to help my neighbors and show more charity towards all human beings because of his example.
this is the most amazing book ever. i joined Twesigye's facebook page and he actually wrote to me. we missed him when he was in Boulder this year. this book made me realize that i am just a small part of this world, but that if i want to, i can make a big difference in the world. i hope to join this organization and others like it and one day travel to Uganda and see the schools. i got my mom to read it and she cried.
This is an excellent book by a man from Uganda, raised in a rural village and eventually ended up in the US for his education. His passion to reach the millions of AIDS orphans in Uganda is an inspiring story. Through his vision, dedication and unswerving resolve, he created schools and supported community to improve the lives of the entire community. It is a story of how vision and resolve can change the world.
This story of how one Jackson Kaguri decided to return home to build a school in his village for AIDS orphans is well written and inspiring. I have a feeling that parts of the narrative have been "tweaked" a bit to make the progression more logical than perhaps real life could ever be, but, still, it shows how one person can make a difference with enough motivation and the appropriate resources and education.
I liked this totally true story about an African man who came to the states to educate himself and then returned to his village to establish a school for AIDS orphans of which his district had 4000. Unbelievable. I understand that it is a little like the "Three Cups of Tea" story. Even though it might be a little long, it is an interesting fast read.
The extraordinary story of Twesigye Jackson Kaguri, a man from rural Uganda who, after settling in America, returned to his hometown to build a tuition-free school for orphans.
Listen to The Price of Stones on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Listen to The Price of Stones on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
I liked this book very much because of the true story it tells, but also because it was real. It rang true. There was no sensationalism or bigger than life heroics, just the simple truth with a lot of heart.
I listened to the book on CD and the african reader did a wonderful job of it. I'd recommend it to anyone.
I listened to the book on CD and the african reader did a wonderful job of it. I'd recommend it to anyone.
I decided to read this book after hearing Twesigye Jackson speak at Calvin's January Series. The book reminded me of Three Cups of Tea, only without the scandal or annoying narrative voice. The Prince of Stones is both realistic and inspiring. It certainly opened my eyes to the depth of the AIDS crisis in Uganda and to the huge challenges that have risen around it. But it is hopeful, too.
Very compelling read. This book moved me to tears many times. Kaguri has a strong clear voice with insightful flashbacks. It was a little difficult to keep up with all of the different people involved in the story.
This is a wonderful true story of how one man saw that a school was built in his home village to help 60 out of 4,000 orphans (due to AIDS) in Africa get an education.
I think that the book was trying to capitalize on the popularity of books like "Three Cups of Tea," but it fell flat. At times the story was interesting but certainly not gripping.
An inspiring story of a man's return to his hometown in Uganda to build a tuition-free school for AIDS orphans. The writing is ok, but Kaguri's story reminds you that one person's dedication to a cause can make a difference.
Ugh. I don't know what happened to me during this book. It was for a book club so it wasn't one of my own picks, but as interesting as I found the topic itself, I couldn't get past the first chapter. I think that this was a personal issue rather than a book issue.
There are few people with the ability to transform a community in despair. Twesigye Jackson Kaguri's story is an amazing journey providing those of us born free of poverty, an insight into the real challenges facing communities engulfed in the AIDS pandemic, and the inspiration of achieving the impossible. Incredible reading.
I loved this book. Amasing story of one mans quest to help his home village in Uganda. A great model of the right way to do community development
Beautiful book. A mans story of trying to save the village he grew up in by building a school for aids/HIV orphans in Uganda. What a simple man can accomplish with God on his side!
This is always my favorite genre, mission work in some part of the world. This time it's an orphanage for AIDS victims in Uganda.
Similar to Three Cups of Tea, but with a significant difference by changing the community from within rather than an outsider coming in.
This man has done some great work in Uganda, but I didn't find the book compelling enough to finish.
Loved this book! It is amazing how one person can change the lives of so many children and the community.
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Twesigye Jackson Kaguri was raised in Uganda, graduated from Makarere University, and was a visiting scholar at Columbia University. He is the associate director of development at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, and the founder and director of the Nyaka and Kutamba AIDS Orphans Schools in Uganda.
More about Twesigye Jackson Kaguri...
Co-author Susan Urbanek Linville is a biologist and writer who lives in Pennsylvan
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