I just finished Three Cups of Tea. One of the best things about our electricity fast was the books I read, especially since, for a former English major, I don’t always read well. I devoured Hunger Games and Catching Fire; I cried through The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, I loved/hated Eat Pray Love; I thought Darcy’s Story was the worst waste of paper ever (but I had to finish because I couldn’t just turn on Lost in Austen instead); I wondered why I’d never read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings before. When I finally picked up Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth again, I was flabbergasted that just a year ago it seemed too hippie. I vowed to change my life according to Soft-Spoken Parenting: 50 Ways Not to Lose Your Temper with Your Kids (harder than it seems).
Then there was Three Cups of Tea. And, I was in Manhattan the day the Twin Towers fell. I know I said more than once that we should just bomb the whole place “over there” and be done. Luckily I don’t have any sort of influence but unluckily I’m not the only one who thought that reflexively. But reading Three Cups of Tea made me think of the influence I do have over my three (and soon four) daughters, because it’s all about educating girls, and how that is the way to change the world.
Basically, I’m convinced. The book is a fascinating adventure story and history/geography/politics/culture lesson. It also confirms something I’ve long thought: that real heroes, people like Greg Mortenson who are crazy and visionary enough to effect real change in our world are worth studying and following even though they’d be hell to live with (or to be).
I had a professor who said one of the saddest things I’d ever heard, that it was rare for a book to come along that changed how he thought about the world. At the time, almost every book I read did that, and I couldn’t imagine being so jaded. Now I can, which makes Three Cups of Tea so remarkable. It’s obvious, now, that education (especially of future mothers) is the answer, but how obvious is it that one person could actually do so much about education with so little support/money/conventional development savvy?
Usually I shrug off charitable concerns. When you tithe (10%) of your income, it’s easy (for me) to think I’ve done my part, but this book actually makes me want to do more. Then I thought: too bad I’m about to give birth soon, I know I’ll be preoccupied with a new baby for the forseeable future. Except, I’m a girl, a mother of girls. I can work every day to be a better mother and educator of these people in my own house, raise them so they’re aware of the wider world, grateful for their own opportunities, and eager to help others. We can save money as a family to donate. I can follow Greg Mortenson on Twitter, of all things. And there on the list of suggestions for how to help at the back of the book is number 5: Write a book review for a blog.
So, easy enough: everyone should read Three Cups of Tea.
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This book is amazing. There are only a few people throughout history whoI consider my heroes, and Greg Mortenson is one of them. You also might want to check out Stones Into Schools, which is about the last 10 years or so of his work.
Shannon Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Yes, and I want to get the children’s version of 3CT for my girls, too.
Great post. I’ll bookmark it for future reference.
I recently attended a mini-concert in a bar that changed me for the better. Writing about it soon….
My girlfriend recommended this book to me as well. It’s on my “to-read” list, which unfortunately keeps getting longer. I need a computer fast ASAP!
What a coincidence! I was just looking up this book on Amazon to get a copy when I saw your post about it in my inbox. I read a book in June called Mountains Beyond Mountains about Dr. Paul Farmer, and his work in Haiti. It really caused me to think about what we can do as a family to be more involved in humanitarian work.
Shannon Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
I have a blogging friend who is in Haiti right now working on sq ft gardens. That sounds so appealing to me. (Except the heat and all. I am such a wimp right now.)
I didn’t know this was a book. You can get the video on Netflix.
memarie lane Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Nope, I was wrong. Had it confused with something else.
Okay, you just helped me figure out what to read next. I’ve been meaning to read that one for a while, so thanks.
Have you read The Help by Kathryn Stockett? That should be your next book.
Shannon Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Dude. That is on my list — but my mom lent it to my sister first. The nerve!
Renae Reply:
July 28th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Your across-the-street librarian has a copy of THE HELP. I’ll dig it out and run it over.
I couldn’t stop thinking about this last night and ended up writing my own blog post this morning. I feel so passionately about girls learning how to read and we’ll be starting our own Pennies for Peace program in our house today.
Hi Jane,
What an inspiring post and you’re right- Greg Mortenson is an inspiring individual. I wanted to let you know that he’ll be on Charlie Rose tonight on Bloomberg Television. If you’re interested in tuning in, there’s a clip of tonight’s episode, including Greg’s segment, posted on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/BloombergTelevision.
Greg will be discussing his perspective on the war in Afghanistan.
Again, I really enjoyed (and was inspired by) your post.
Best,
Meghan
Community Manager
Bloomberg Television
Great and inspiring book.
I bought this book for my 13 year old to read. They suggested the Kite Runner or 1000 Splendid Suns (I own both) but they seemed a bit much for her age, so I subbed this one in. It is on my to-read list I think I need to go pick up her copy and get started.