Greg Mortenson is a fucking saint.

[Kai]

I just finished reading Three Cups of Tea, and I can say it is by far one of the most powerful books I have ever read. Holy shit, that man is a saint in every sense. The whole thing was wrapped up in an education of Pakistani and Afgani culture that is only topped by Cain's analyses here.

Just, if you haven't already, read it. FFS.

And if I'm just behind in all this (the book was published in 2005), well then, ignore me.

[The Wizard]

I'll add that to my list of shit I need to read. Thanks.

[Jenne]

Yeah, people like him amaze me.  He has another book out, btw.

[Kai]

Yeah, people like him amaze me.  He has another book out, btw.

I saw, Stones into Schools. Planning on reading it next, inshallah.

[Jenne]

Yes, inshallah indeed. 

[Kai]

Yes, inshallah indeed. 

heh. I've just started using that word in common speech. Means, for me, something like "if the universe will allow it, let it be so".

[Jenne]

Yes, inshallah indeed. 

heh. I've just started using that word in common speech. Means, for me, something like "if the universe will allow it, let it be so".

I use it to trip up Muslims who don't think I know shit about Muslims.  But I'm evil like that.

[Harper]

I admire the fuck out his work.  I didn't enjoy the book all that much.

I felt that there were just a few too many hokey, gee-golly, aw-shucks moments where he awoke with his eyes frozen shut and then ho-ho-hoed it off. And there were too many instances of him taking personal, vindictive pot-shots at his ex-girlfriend.  It's all moot though because you're right. He is a fucking saint, and so I forgive him these transgressions.

And, his second book just came out not too long ago, and I will certainly read it. (I have not yet read Leaving Microsoft To Change The World, but expect it to be in the same vein, and look forward to reading it.)

TCoT was the One Book One San Diego selection that followed Enriques Journey, which was another fan-fucking-tastic work about international relations, prejudice, oppression, and human spirit. (I recommend it HIGHLY.) After enjoying the hell out these two novels, I moved to Denver where the One Book program is a sick, sad joke. We were assigned The Thin Man, which granted I found interesting because I had never read a hard-boiled prohibition-era detective novel before, but which had fuck all to do with modern politics or modern life. That was followed by To Kill A Mockingbird, which is a classic, but which everybody has already read at least twice.

Since moving here, I have bitched more and written more letters about our One Book program than I have about actually important things like traffic, schools, gangs, graffiti, etc, etc. Because the city is calling all of its citizens to read and discuss a thing that could be as poignant and relevant and vital and important as Three Cups Of Tea but instead we're supposed to discuss Nick and fucking Nora and Asta.

The only thing fucking Asta is good for is appearing the odd crossword puzzle.

The only thing Mortenson is good for is breaking down stereotypes, fostering peace and understanding, quelling racism and hatred, bringing opportunity and education to the impoverished and discouraged, inspiring the downtrodden, motivating the complacent, being an excessively large man, and taking the time to point out the differences between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In the land of the blind, Mortenson is fucking Argus.

He unfortunately happens to be a lackluster writer.

[Kai]

I think whatever misgivings you have about Mortenson may be misdirected at his co-author, who I believe did most of the writing for Three Cups of Tea. Regardless, I really enjoyed the book, couldn't put it down.

[Harper]

I think whatever misgivings you have about Mortenson may be misdirected at his co-author, who I believe did most of the writing for Three Cups of Tea.

I suspect you may be right about that. That's one reason I look forward to picking up his new one.

[Jenne]

I think whatever misgivings you have about Mortenson may be misdirected at his co-author, who I believe did most of the writing for Three Cups of Tea.

I suspect you may be right about that. That's one reason I look forward to picking up his new one.

Well well, seems I have a neighbor.

[Cain]

Kai,

sorry to bring this up, I saw a guest reading it.  I was wondering what you thought of the allegations by Stephen Kroft that Mortenson is a liar, and that many of his claimed events do not hold up to scrutiny?

I actually tend to agree with his critics.  His "style" of management is very prone to abuse, and some of the things he describes in Three Cups of Tea betray an astounding amount of ignorance about the geography and cultures he is supposedly interacting with, not to mention the complete absence of US geopolitics in his understanding of the region.

Of course, what is really interesting is the US military's enduring obsession with the book, given that, y'know, it was really wrong.