“Is it a mystery or realtic fiction?”
“Made me become more invigorated for my own literacy nonprofithttp://www.foundation-for-freedom.org We do similar work, but I think it is a 'village' type effort. We all do a little and play our part. ”
“I'm not quite done with this book yet, but within the first few chapters, I knew that it was a book every American should read. When Mortenson is standing in a Pakistani village, watching children scratch out lessons in the cold, hard ground, with no chairs, no walls, no protection from the elements, and not even a teacher, the magnificent gift of education becomes crystal clear. I think every American, especially every American student, should get to experience that moment with Mortenson, to realize the extraordinary opportunity they have here, that they, that we all, take for granted every day.”
“Oh, and I wasn't saying the book asked for donations. I know it didn't. However, when Relin came and presented on my campus, he came off as a guy wanting us to donate. It was annoying.”
“I was inspired to throw it in the fire.”
“Koopa, the book doesn't ask for donations. I found the book inspiring, though Relin could have done a better job with the prose”
“I didn't like this book. I thought David Oliver Relin wrote it poorly. Plus, he came and presented at my school and it was like listening to that old guy from the commercials who tell me for ten cents a day I too could help some kid in Africa. This is the kind of book old people read to make themselves feel better.”
“Did anyone hear that a senator (or someone else in Washington) has decided that a bigger crackdown on drug lords in Afghanistan will work wonders on weakening the Taliban? He says it will cut their money supply, but Afghans are not so sure because a lot of their population relies on the opium market for a living. I find it interesting that Mr. Mortenson presented his idea, which is doable and helpful and brings hope to the people, yet when the government decides to get involved, they always go for something with "shock factor" instead of far-reaching and impactful. Just my opinion.”
“I just read this book for my book club and I found it so interesting. I am now paying more attention to what has been happening over in Pakistan and am a bit concerned about what the decisions coming out of Washington D.C. Shouldn't our decision makers spend some time reading and learning more about the culture of places we are thinking of impacting with our military? The most important element of this story is how Mortinsen spent so much time learning the culture and then assimilating into the culture. I wonder how safe he is today, venturing over there so often. ”
“I recommended this to my book club this month, but now I'm worried it won't be as good as I told everyone it was. I loved it. But I'm wondering what stops others from liking it so much? I watched Charlie Wilson's war after reading it and my heart just breaks that the American government wouldn't spend a measly million dollars to build schools in Afghanistan. Moments like those make me not so proud to be an American.”
