Nyana's review
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson
I just finished the introduction and I'm feeling skeptical. I was put off by the self-proclaimed heroism (even though Mortenson feigns humility) and the sweeping generalizations about "changing the world." I agree that this type of work is a step in the right direction, but pretending that everything is peachy-keen just doesn't seem warranted. Statements like "former Taliban fighters renounced violence and the oppression of women after meeting Mortenson and went to work with him peacefully building schools for girls" seem more like wishful thinking than reality. Change is peacemeal and I'd prefer to see an appreciation of its nuanced manifestations than overly optimistic declarations. I'm predisposed to like this book, but I may agree with those who think the style is problematic.
I recently read this book, and I was surprised at your reaction to the introduction--but then I realized I didn't really remember the intro, I remembered what I was left with---the style of the book as a whole, and I agree that it was optimistic in parts, but that it dealt with a whole lot of reality. I appreciated this book most for its window into a culture so very different from anything I am familiar with, and for allowing me to begin to picture some of the places in the Middle East that have been in the news for my adult life.
I'm glad that you liked it. I got distracted with other things this summer and never really finished it. I have put it aside now that classes are starting, but I'll have to take it up again over winter break.
