Our first book is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. You can post your comments about this book here to share with other members. Post questions, comments, musings, reflections, etc...
To get us started: What is the significance of 3 cups of tea in this book? Do you have a "3 cups of tea" moment to share? It can be little or big, momentous or barely noticed at first glance. But somehow your life was not quite the same afterward.
Should we bring snacks and wine?
ReplyDeleteWriting seemed rather ponderous, but an interesting insight into a culture and country very foreign to me. I wish there were pictures of the area, as the descriptions made me want to see the landscapes. It would be interesting to compare with the "kids'" version of the book for readability. Not done yet - still an open mind.
ReplyDeleteOther questions to ponder:
ReplyDelete1. Did Three Cups of Tea, challenge you to make a positive difference in the world?
2. After reading the book are you optimistic about peace in Pakistan and Afghanistan?
3. What did you learn about the culture in North Pakistan? Did anything surprise you?
4. Mortenson made a comment regarding the CAI'S emphasis to increase enrollement for girls, "once you educate the boys, they tend to leave the villages and go search the cities for jobs, but girls stay home to become leaders in the community, and pass on what they have learned. If you really want to change a culutre, to empower women, to improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, then the answer is to educate the girls." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Is there other places in the world where this statement could hold true?
And yes Sandy, please bring a snack and or beverage.
ReplyDeleteSadia Ashraf, Outreach Coordinator, Central Asia Institute (pennies for education outreach), check out the interview at
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ait.net/technos/ezine/interviews/sadia_ashraf.phpt
Also check out Pennies for Peace Website:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.penniesforpeace.org/
I'd read this book before, and really enjoyed it. Re-reading it this time (I'm only about halfway through), I'm struck by a couple of things.
ReplyDeleteFirst, the way Mortensen goes at whatever he's doing with 100% enthusiasm, and doesn't stop to consider what difficulties may lie ahead or whether he's going to succeed in his efforts. It made me reflect on all the times I've considered trying something and then backed off because I found the idea too daunting.
And second, I was struck with how he's arrived at a meaningful career in his life through an unlikely combination of the adventures and risks he'd taken, and the spiritual values his parents planted.
One of my favorite quotes from the book: "The true measure of a nation's success is not gross national product, but gross national happiness." King of Bhutan
ReplyDeleteI was struck by how much happiness was created by the simplest of improvements in the lives of the villagers of the region.
Have we decided on a place and time for the next bookclub meeting?
ReplyDeleteJust finalized them today. See Next Meeting box and details on meetup.com
ReplyDelete