Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission To Promote Peace, One School At a Time
Host :: Carol (on 12/12/07)
I'm STILL not done yet. It's taken me FOREVER but getting very close to finishing. I've surprisingly enjoyed the ride that Greg Mortenson has taken me. What a fascinating, inspiring journey. This one person has done AMAZING things to make the world a better place and he literally just stumbled upon it and through determination and a big heart, he made it happen. It's also interesting that I have never heard of this dude before and he's like a Mother Teresa! I do hope his story gets heard by more people.
Ana, is it just you and me?! I am not so original but I found these questions online and I liked them so here goes:
1) Mortenson didn't set out for Pakistan with the intention of becoming a philanthropist. What triggered his change of course and have you ever had such a sudden life changing experience?
2) In particular, how does Mortenson cope with working in a Muslim society? How did the community adapt to him?
3) What is it about Greg Mortenson that has made him so successful at building schools in Pakistan? Which parts of the book best highlight these characteristics?
Reply :: Ana (on 12/16/07)
There is so much I can write in response to question #3. But most simply, I believe the key characteristic is love. Not the trite or superficial kind. There is an unfettered, unblemished love that radiates from this guy - the kind that pierces through any imaginable earthly divide - be it landmass, language, religion, or politics. His is a love so pure it manifests itself in ways to which anyone couldn’t resist but respond with resounding positivity. They, We, witness love, sincerity, authenticity, genuineness, and also respect.
A friend of mine recently sent me an email that read, “Quick, answer me this – Can we share in each other’s spiritual traditions?” My answer was somewhere along the lines of “Not necessarily…not if one’s ‘tradition’ is not aligned with the other’s core spiritual beliefs…”
I recount this email exchange to demonstrate something I believe to be true and profound. I believe that beyond the characteristic of being loving, the power that drives Greg’s success lies in the fact that his life’s passion is a true reflection of universal goodness and truth. And because Greg’s cause is good, it cannot be misaligned with any belief or spiritual tradition that is also good. And because Greg’s cause is good, it cannot fail.
I know I’ve been somewhat nebulous with my response. So much depth I just can’t delve into in a few short paragraphs. But I’d be more than happy to entertain any comments or questions from you fellow book club members. I do hope more of you are reading/have read this book.
As for which parts of the book best highlight this characteristic (of being loving) – oh dear, I can hardly choose. Carol is right. This book is most inspiring. So many moments in Greg’s life had he been moved to extreme by his love and compassion… Each time I read about one of those moments, I felt a pull on my own heart and a further strengthening of my own resolve. So many moments of joy, pride, grief, hope. I don’t want to give them away. You must read for yourself. Out of the determined, though at times precariously strung, threads of Greg’s humbling story has humankind been woven a most impressive and enduring tapestry – a tapestry brilliant with the colors of love, goodness, hope, and truth.
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
Host :: Ana Opulencia wrote on Sep 4, 2007 at 10:19 AM
here's a discussion topic i pulled online:
Storytelling is a powerful force in Ishmael’s life, even providing a connection to his future mother, Laura Simms. What traits make Ishmael a memorable and unique storyteller?
here's a discussion topic i created:
In the credits section of Ishmael's book, he doesn't mention his nuclear family (his 'blood' relatives). Moreover, he thanks Laura whom he calls his 'mother'. Why do you think Ishmael does this?
OK everyone, feel free to respond to one or both of the discussion topics. We will close the discussion at the end of this month (September 2007).
Reply :: Carol Chan (New York, NY) replied to your post on Sep 12, 2007 at 8:25 PM
I think storytellers must be confident, charismatic, and articulate. Being articulate is key because you must have the ability to paint a fluid story. Then delivery is when the impact of the story is driven home to the heart of the listener, which is where having the confidence and charisma is essential.
Ishmael clearly has the charisma as demonstrated in that he was selected as a squad leader and later on, as the spokesperson for the rehab place, and to represent Sierra Leone at the UN meeting. He also speaks very honestly and sincerely which makes him that much more credible as a storyteller, even when he can be judged severely for his actions. It is all very admirable to tell a story like he did. He's very brave.
As for the second discussion topic, I don't think he mentions his blood relatives because they are part of the story. He is crediting people who helped or encouraged him to tell the story....and like i mentioned before, it's a super tough thing to tell a story like his.
Thoughts?
Host :: Ana Opulencia wrote on Sep 18, 2007 at 6:26 PM
for me, the most striking characteristic of ishmael that directly related to his storytelling ability is his photographic memory. at one point in the book, he contemplated why everyone around him was dead, yet he was spared. i think it's such an interesting 'coincidence' that the one who had the gifts of memory and elocution was the one who was left with the opportunity to shine a light on the horror that was the sierra leone civil war.
my interpretation of the fact that ishmael didn't mention his 'first' family in the credits of his book is that the book itself, by having been written at all, represents ishmael's 'second lease on life'. i'm not sure if he mentioned this notion of a second chance in his book or in a tv interview that i'd watched... but i do think that this particular focus on the current players in his 'second' life is symbolic of a renewal of hope and spirit.
Reply :: Ann Poochareon (no network) wrote on Sep 23, 2007 at 3:01 AM
Jeez, sorry it took me a while to get around to this, I've been ignoring all the facebook emails as a result of getting too many. :P
anywayz...
What traits make Ishmael a memorable and unique storyteller?
He's got a gentle heart and, from the book, I feel that his sincere goodness shows in his character. He was a dancer and was obviously very good with people, so this charisma comes through in the story telling. The story feels warm and lively. His photographic memory, the way he's able to paint the scene in vivid details also helps. He was also determined to tell the story too, as we learned about his UN trip and how he was automatically drawn to Laura Simms. And, well, the story itself is outstanding! Besides his characteristics, he's a unique storyteller because he lived through all of that and able to retell it in a first-person account.
On crediting his family:
Like you mentioned, I also think it's because he's honoring those who have given his second life. Definitely if it wasn't for his second family, the book wouldn't have materialize. The rest of the story, after he made his way to the U.S. was not part of the book, so we don't feel so attached to his second family as much, but it doesn't need to be told -- just the mere fact that we're able to read a book like this is a testament of how important his second family is to him.
