For those who liked this book, note that Stones into Schools Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Greg Mortenson will be coming out soon (I think I read it was in November or December 2009). --This link is to the CD issue, but I understand it's in book form too...anyone know for sure?

One of the things I found amazing was that Greg Mortenson had so little himself before he began his mission to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. How could a person who could barely support himself make the sacrifices he did for people he didn't really know? It's easy if you are wealthy to donate money for a worthy cause, but what Mortenson did was inspiring because he risked his own well-being to make the lives of strangers better.

I read this one with my book club and we all loved it. It was so inspirational -- the power of one person deciding to DO something.

Patti wrote: "I agree with you Jen. My book club read this and while everyone enjoyed it, most thought that 1/3 of the book could have been left out. "

It was a selection for our book group, too. I got a call half way through the month that we were going to read something else, because no one could get through it. It made me feel a little better and not like such a bad person! I really felt bad not being able to finish it! We still were able to discuss his mission as most of us did skim most of it.

I agree with you Jen. My book club read this and while everyone enjoyed it, most thought that 1/3 of the book could have been left out.

As one who read and finished the book, and enjoyed it, I still completely agree that it was drawn out. I was really excited, inspired, all those positive adjectives, but I did feel that it could have ended a lot sooner and not been less for it.

Hi,

Just so you all know, The Wish Maker is fictional.

I read the book and was absolutely inspired. Since I read this book, I have been picking up everything I could the learn more about Pakistani and Afghan culture. I have since used Kiva to provide loans to people in Pakistan. As an educator, this book was very meaningful. I'll have to check out the Wish Maker as well.

I haven't heard of The Wish Maker. I'll have to check it out.

Lisa wrote: "Jaime, you're right that the book was drawn out. I almost bought the YA version, which I think would probably accomplish the promotion and awareness of Mortenson's cause and plight of these childr..."

Yeah, that's exactly what I did, too. I ended up skimming most of it until I got to the point that I felt that I was driving myself crazy skimming. I am the type that usually reads every word. I really was hoping to learn more about the Afghanistan and Pakistan cultures, so maybe I will pick it up again someday. Maybe I'll check out the young adult version! The mission is beyond wonderful, though, in my opinion. He is a fascinating guy! I think I would really enjoy hearing him speak on the topic.

On sort of an off-note....has anybody here read
The Wish Maker? I was looking at it at my local bookstore the other day. I'm really interested in reading about Pakistani culture and I heard this got great reviews on NPR.

Jaime, you're right that the book was drawn out. I almost bought the YA version, which I think would probably accomplish the promotion and awareness of Mortenson's cause and plight of these children as much as the regular version. I found myself skimming quickly over some sections, but overall I think I did learn something about the Pakistan and Afghanistan culture. I think I was more enthralled with Mortenson's mission than the actual book.

Kelly wrote: "Sorry ladies. I could not finish this book. I still sent Mortenson some pennies for peace, because I believe in what he's doing, but I thought the book was a failure. "


I, too, could not finish the book. What a wonderful thing Mortenson is doing! I just found that the book was too drawn out. I feel so bad about not being able to finish, but it just couldn't keep my interest. What he is doing interests me, though. It's probably the only book I've felt bad about not being able to finish.

Sorry ladies. I could not finish this book. I still sent Mortenson some pennies for peace, because I believe in what he's doing, but I thought the book was a failure.

Yeah, I'd like to do something to help the cause. I kept thinking how difficult it must be for Mortenson's wife to take care of the family alone, while he was away for months at a time. Plus, not knowing if he was safe had to take a toll on her emotionally. I do think that his kids may learn selflessness and the value of kindness and caring for others.

Did you guys get to the end of this book and want to send Mortenson money? I totally did. It was a great book. The one thing that I struggled with though, was the fact that he has a wife and kids at home and I kept thinking, wow, you're doing such great things in Pakistan, but shouldn't your family also get a big chunk of that time? Maybe they do, and since that's not the focus of the book it just wasn't discussed, but I struggled with that.

It's also incredible how little it costs to build a school, supply it and educate a child.

Three Cups of Tea One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

If you haven't read this yet, you should! Inspiring. Courageous. Thought-provoking. I learned so much more about the people and culture of Pakistan and Afghanistan than what I've read in the papers regarding America's war on terror. This is a powerful story about empowering people, especially women, through education. Add this to your TBR list, then read it!