Sheils recommended this book, and on reading about the book, I found it very interesting, and was delighted to get hold of it so quickly.
Here we drink three cups of tea to do business; the first time you are a stranger, the second time you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to to anything – even die.
In 1993, after a disastrous attempt to climb K2, Greg Mortenson ends up in an impoverished village in Pakistan. He is touched by the villagers kindness and shocked to realize how tough life there was. The children had no school. He was appalled to see eighty two children, kneeling on the frosty ground, working by themselves. They shared a teacher with a neighboring village, and he taught here three days a week. The rest of the days, the children would practice the lessons he left behind, in the open, in all the harsh climatic conditions.
Seeing this, Mortenson resolved and promised to build a school for the village. The book is his story of how his personal conviction and efforts resulted in schools in many of these marginalized villages. He started off with the promise to build one school, but ended up building fifty five schools. Understanding how educating girls can change the lives of the villagers, he tried to make it easier to educate the girls. He wins the locals’ confidence, becomes one of them, understands the difficulties they face, and does whatever he can to help them. The story of how one man can make a difference, if he really wants, no matter what obstacles he faces.
It is the story of one man’s determination, and grit to overcome it all, to make a difference. He has risked his life, gone into dangerous territory, gotten kidnapped.. All for the purpose – his purpose to get the people of Central Asia education, a means to better their lives. The story, of course, is not just about him. It is also about his family. His wife who understood and supported his passion. Who made do with the fact that her husband would be away for months together. In places where it would be impossible to even reach him by telephone. Not knowing when or if he would be back. And yet accepting it, because that was the man he was. It is a riveting read. Very inspiring, and very touching. I would certainly recommend it.
Disclaimer: I did read some allegations of fraud and people contending that this book is actually more fiction than fact. So I am not really sure what to make of it.. Even if it were inaccurate, it would still be a very interesting read, albeit a fictional one, rather than a non-fictional account.
The artwork on the cover is too good!!!!
The book sounds interesting for sure. WIll try getting it.
Me first! 😀
Yay!!
It is a very interesting book. Hope you like it too:)
I have this book at home, along with all the others books ordered from Flipkart, but not yet read!! Shantaram is another one, and Eat, Pray, Love and My God is a Woman… 😐
I really liked Shantaram and Eat Pray love, IHM! I don’t seem to be able to get hold of My God is a woman here- it is not even available on amazon here! That is on my ‘to buy in India’ list – which has got rather long now 🙂
The sequel ‘Stones into Schools’ is good too 🙂
U r rt abt the disclaimer. I heard a few accounts of it too, but like u said, it is a beautiful book 🙂
I will try to get hold of the sequel too. It is a beautiful book, isn’t it?
oh m sister recommended this a couple of years back…I’m yet to take it up..your review makes a good impression 🙂
Do give it a try, Scribby – It is a beautiful book!
I love the sound of this book – fictitious account or not. I am going to try and get hold of it. 🙂
I think you will like it 🙂
As you say even if it is inaccurate, it has to be very motivating and inspiring. I’d like to believe it is true 🙂
I’d like to believe it is true too 🙂
A lovely book, and an interesting one too. Whether true or not, there are people like that, in such remote areas who struggle for others.
Welcome here, Jayalakshmi.
‘Whether true or not, there are people like that, in such remote areas who struggle for others.’ – That is certainly true!
I loved the book. I read it before all the controversy happened. However I felt he was a pretty simple fellow, he didn’t have street smarts and yet he achieved so much (if the book is true to fact, that is!).
I read this book couple of years back, and actually was fascinated by the picture the author paints, the hardship and the natural disadvantages of having to live in such a high altitude place. I was aware of the controversy, but one thing I totally believe is the plight of girl students, infact students in general in those areas