Book Club Discussion

I think they have had the staff for a little while? I thought I read that he hired two people around the end of the book, just not when the board had requested.

I take back what I said about the "warts and all" part not being as big a deal. Keeping to the topic of his organization, the criticisms of the board are part of that story and for me that was adequate. I started skimming some of his background, before the K2 trip, and while that could be a place for "warts" it also could have just been shorter. I think Relin was too praiseworthy sometimes and this goes along with my opinion that the author has an adjective addiction. I kept expecting to read a sentence like, "After completing the Herculean task of tying his worn and frayed bootlaces with jet-lagged fingers, Mortenson translated the tattered breakfast menu, recalling what he ate that fateful and nearly fatal day he set out for K2." That is to say, I think the author gave him too much credit for not *that* difficult of tasks (some, not all) and that made the book feel unbalanced.

[DCJenn]

I kept coming back to the idea that he IS the organization now. I've worked for companies that suffered from the Cult of Personality and once that personality is gone, it's a huge stuggle for identity.

I'm really glad I read the book, though and I do think that what they do is critically important.

Oddly enough, the home-schoolers at Crunchy School (aka the older kids) are doing a Pennies for Peace fundraiser w/ the money going to them. They read the kids version of the book and apparently loved it.

Jenn

I agree -- it would be hard to run without him. I volunteered for a non-profit in Denver that was also a Cult of Personality. The director died very unexpectedly of a massive heart attack at a board retreat. The organization definitely did not face the same challenges of working internationally, cultural barriers, etc but did manage to keep going without him. I'm not sure if it would have kept going if he just left for another organization or something like that.

I am also glad I read it. I'm conflicted about it because the more I think about it, the more I am annoyed with the writing -- but the message was worth it. I've been thinking about talking to our PTA about a Pennies for Peace fundraiser. It is a great idea.

[Ladybug]

"after completing the herculean task of tying his worn and frayed bootlaces with jet-lagged fingers, mortenson translated the tattered breakfast menu, recalling what he ate that fateful and nearly fatal day he set out for k2."

lol!

[diggitydot]

OK, sorry for being a day late and a dollar short on this discussion. I've been checking in from my iPhone and it's a total PITA to try to post something this big from it.

9. “I expected something like this from an ignorant village mullah, but to get those kinds of letters from my fellow Americans made me wonder whether I should just give up,” Mortenson remarked after he started getting hate mail in the wake of September 11. What was your reaction to the letters Mortenson received?

I was sad and embarrassed for them. But I react that way to stupid people no matter the subject matter.

10. Mortenson hits many bumps in the road—he’s broke, his girlfriend dumps him, he is forced to build a bridge before he can build the school, his health suffers, and he drives his family crazy. Discuss his repeated brushes with failure and how they influenced your opinion of Mortenson and his efforts.

To quote that wise old sage, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swiiiiiiiiimmmmm, swiiiiiiiiiimmmmmm," Heh. Sorry.

Mortensen's refusal to quit after so many failures is beyond admirable, bordering on slightly mental. But I'm sure he felt compelled to keep on keepin' on because of those failures. If he'd had earlier successes, I doubt he'd have accomplished as much as he has, if that makes any sense. Failure can be a great motivator.

13. Did the book change your views toward Islam or Muslims? Consider the cleric Syed Abbas, and also the cleric who called a fatwa on Mortenson. Syed Abbas implores Americans to “look into our hearts and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people.” Discuss this statement. Has the book inspired you to learn more about the region?

No, my views weren't changed. I'm just hoping some people's opinions are.