Friday, May 29, 2009

Inspiration

Since most of my reading comes while sitting in a 4x6 foot room with a shower, faucet, and a toilet, I hardley ever finish (or start) a significant piece of work. In my first attempt at real reading outside of Texas Montly and the various cooking magazines that my wife has stored away on the back of the latrene, Three Cups of Tea describes how Greg Mortenson's failed attempt to climb the the second highest mountain in the world (K2) lead him to his real quest in life. Set in Pakistan, a place that most of us only know by what we have seen on TV or read in the newspaper, Mortenson is resqued by a local porter and ends up in a small village that helps to nurse him back to health. Through his experience in the village and the constant care of the local tribe, he lays out a plan to return and build a school for the children (mainly the girls). His adventure turns into a life long goal of providing primary education for Pakistani and Afghan children, made possible by Mortenson's hard work and a few generous people along the way.
To complete a book like this at my stage of life was a miracle no doubt. The fact is you cant put it down (and I was working nights). If you feel compelled to give this book a whirl, I recommend purchasing the book via the official website (http://www.threecupsoftea.com/) and 7% of the total goes to the organization that made his works possible.

1 comment:

Charlie said...

Agreed! Awesome book, and a really cool guy (Mortenson). Miss you guys!