2nd hand info: book was packaged properly, NOT beat up upon arrival, and my son enjoyed reading Greg Mortenson's 2nd book.

There's nothing really to say about this book, as Greg Mortenson's story just speaks for itself. I can't think of another book (except Three Cups of Tea) that I can confidently say that any reader will not be disappointed. I think everyone should read this book, if not just for a true epic the likes of which we only think exists in Hollywood. These amazing stories CAN happen, and there are too many to count in this book.

My title says it all. What this country and the world need is more people like Greg Mortenson. Why must we tolerate the military that insists that bombing a country will make them willing to let us take them over? The world knows we're the most powerful country in the world. Why can't we just leave it at that?
This book will reveal why our attack on Afghanistan and Pakistan will not work. Think as you read if this were the United States how would Americans react to outside forces trying to bomb our towns. And you better believe you're right as you contemplate such a horrible concept.
This book inspires. How many books today do just that???
Yes, I bought it through Amazon. That's the ONLY place to look for books you want to buy in a hurry.

A wonderful story promoting peace. Also read Two cups of Tea...Greg Mortenson risked his life to build schools so that girls and boy can attend school. Something we take for granted in America.

I just finished reading "Stones into Schools," the follow up book to "Three Cups of Tea," and I highly recommend it to anyone who has read "The Cups of Tea" by David Orlin and Greg Mortenson. Relative to "Three Cups of Tea," "Stones into Schools" takes on a more personal and gripping tone, as Greg Mortenson himself picks up the pen and continues the story from where "Three Cups of Tea" ended. In "Stones into Schools," the reader gets a glimpse of the many, at times ridiculous, challenges faced by the CAI and Greg Mortenson in growing their operations in Afghanistan while fundraising in the United States (and elsewhere) and continuing their mission in Pakistan. The stories recounted in the book really show how the Central Asia Institute is not your run of the mill NGO. Rather, the CAI shines in providing a vital service to the people at "the end of the road," where not even the local federal governments venture, let alone foreign NGO's.

That said, the book is only partly about the CAI and Greg Mortenson. Always inclined to focus the attention on others, rather than himself, Greg Mortenson spends much of the book detailing stories of admirable determination and sacrifice demonstrated by his motley staff of local Pakistanis and Afghans. There were several moments when reading this book that I found myself truly touched and inspired by the valor and nobility of these men, who Greg Mortenson affectionately refers to as the "Dirty Dozen." At the very least, anyone who reads the book, should gain some perspective and inspiration for dealing with the challenges in his or her life.

A big criticism of the CAI, which was explicitly highlighted in "Three Cups of Tea," was that without Greg Mortenson, everything the CAI has done would unravel. However, after reading "Stones into School," one is left with the distinct impression that it is now the local Afghan and Pakistani administrators and directors of CAI who are making the greatest contributions to the mission of female literacy. Despite Mr. Mortenson having to spend the majority of his time these days raising money and awareness in the United States for CAI's mission, the CAI has managed to push forward. The CAI has built and currently support over 130 schools in the region. They achieved this success despite unforgiving climates and terrain, limited resources and infrastructure, a complicated political landscape, natural disasters, federal corruption and bureaucracy, Taliban reprisals, pervasive drug trafficking, and widely publicized civilian deaths from U.S./NATO military attacks.

Perhaps the greatest personal appeal of Greg Mortenson, and why I think "Three Cups of Tea" has been so successful, is his fundamentally human imperfection. Far from trying to justify everything he is doing, Mr. Mortenson candidly expresses his doubts, guilt, and physical inabilities. He spends some time questioning whether he has lost some level of commitment to the communities he has helped by now spending most of his time in the West. Then again, who is perfect? Who doesn't have doubts? This is reality. This magnetic appeal extends to many characters in the book. The title of the book, "Stones into Schools," is coined from a speech made by a former mujahideen commander who has spent the majority of his life in vicious combat, and who has probably had to be complicit in opium trafficking in order to provide and protect his community. The story of the CAI and the people of the region is not a fictional novel or fairy tale about uncompromising superhumans moving mountains with sheer force of will. Rather, it is about ordinary, flawed people who have to pick up each stone one by one in order to build a better future. It is fitting that Mr. Mortenson describes the "Dirty Dozen" as "underqualified overachievers," because to me, that description would fit him as well. It only seems natural that he would find some kindred spirits during his noble campaign in Central Asia.

Finally, as someone in America who will probably never have the courage and stamina to do the good work that the CAI does in Afghanistan and Pakistan, I feel that the least I can do is give some financial support for a mission that ultimately benefits us all. Despite all the problems in this world, I become hopeful and thankful when I see people like Greg Mortenson and his staff and organizations like the CAI. In summary, I highly recommend this book. It is essentially a story of regular people doing what they can, which in combination amounts to a great sea of change in the middle of what had been a barren dessert.

The book is well written & easy to read. It reads like an adventure novel and shows how one man with a vision was able to provide the gift of education to thousands of children in Central Asia. This book inspired me to pursue my goals with even more determination and persistence.

Greg Mortenson's second book takes us further into Central Asia Institute's work on building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It details the difficulties of working in areas of extreme poverty, cultural differences, bad mountainous roads and in Taliban country. We get descriptions if the local people who work with Greg on his school projects and on the exhausting efforts that Greg put in both in the United States and overseas. For anyone who wants a closer look at what is happening in the areas that the United States is fighting in, this is the book to read. Even the U.S. military is using the book to understand the cultural differences that need to be addressed if any long lasting solutions will be maintained in these countries. That the Afghanis and Pakistanis are continuing to build schools, in spite of the difficulties, attests to their perseverance and hope for the future.

An excellent book - very straightforward, unromanticized detailing of how real, on the ground work with the people in Afghanistan is providing an opportunity for them to build their own futures. The book offers a unique insight into the lives and culture of Afghanis living in remote corners of the country. It also makes clear the level of deep commitment necessary to effect change.

Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools should be required reading for anyone considering elective office......and voters, too, for that matter. We need more long-term thinking: educating our children rather than waging war.

Excellent Book, excellent service. I will deal with this supplier again.
Thank you.

Greg Mortenson's book Three Cups of Tea is one of my favorite books. Now, Stones into Schools is included on my list of favorites. The book brings joy and tears while reading. It is wonderful what his CAI has accomplished. Reading this book inspires me to do more to help others.

When I ordered Greg Mortenson's second book I tried to hold down my expectations. Three Cups of Tea was such an astounding tale of accomplishment by such a humble man. I was sure that there was no way a second book could compare favorably. Rather, like almost all sequels it would add a bit to the first book, but would not stand alone.

I'm so glad to have been wrong! I just closed the cover of a narrative of adventure and expansion that tops its predecessor. The most impressive part of the book is the matter-of-fact way that Greg describes the accomplishments of his "dirty dozen," focusing on Sarfraz Khan and Wakil Karimi. In Three cups of Tea the accomplishments are personal, and Mortenson is the key person in every case. As those who have followed Central Asia Institute know, his time has been occupied by fund-raising in the US, leaving comparatively little time to travel -- especially to remote areas where precise schedule have little meaning. But somehow, he has recruited, motivated, and leads a staff that is as good as he was.

If that isn't a classic definition of leadership it is close enough. The task has grown far beyond one person's capabilities. In many organizations that is the beginning of either the end or bureaucracy. Productive work slows or stops as communication and coordination and correction become ever more important. But instead of that, CAI's local staff seem to be able to do at least as well at the task of building schools at the end of the world as the founder and leader was/is.

The book is a fairly chronological narrative with many detailed stories but a continuation toward an over-arching objective. It is hard to put down. And the subject is fascinatingly exotic. In places I thought I was reading from the travels of Marco Polo: matter-of-fact descriptions of people, customs, environments that might well be living in the 13th century.

I'm very impressed and recommend this book especially to students of leadership and management, but also to every person who is weary of extremism of any kind.

If anyone thinks that because they read "Three Cups of Tea" that they know the story of this book, think again. It is truly an amazing tale of the tenacity of a group of men who are determined to reach the goal no matter what. Anyone who can read the Epilogue without tearing up must have a heart of "stones". I won't spoil the story of whether the tears are ones of joy or sadness.

Any news report I now hear about Afghanistan will now be tempered with the knowledge of the country and its people that I have learned from this book. I had heard of Greg's input to the military and it was fascinating to read how that came about.

Speaking of the military: "Eventually, I came to understand that a group of people who wield enormous power happen, oddly enough, to espouse some of the very same ideals imparted to me by people in Africa and central Asia who have no power at all. The reason for this , in my view, is that members of the armed forces have worked on the ground - in many cases, during three or four tours of duty-- on a level that very few diplomats, academicians, journalists, or policy makers can match. And among other things, this experience has imbued soldiers with the gift of empathy."

This project continues to be a work in progress, and I am in awe of all those who have worked so hard to accomplish so much up to now.

I do have a correction, Greg, about one of the picture labels just in case you haven't caught it for the new editions. It seems to be that the horse standing with Sarfraz Khan is either named wrong or isn't Kazil, since Kazil seems to be very much alive at the end of the book. Thanks.

Very interesting. I liked it better than 3 Cups of Tea and I loved 3 Cups of Tea. Great insight into these people's lives. The parts about the US military are very important for Americans to understand. Excellent!

It's almost axiomatic that sequels never measure up to the first book or movie. Not so with "Stones Into Schools." That is due in part to its treatment of the U.S. military and the Taliban in Afghanistan. It's also due to our introduction to Greg Mortensen's "Dirty Dozen," especially Safraz and Wakil who are, impossible as this may sound to readers of "Three Cups of Tea," every bit as irrepresible, inspiring, daring, untiring, and resourceful as Greg himself in every unbelievable situation.
Greg's wife Tara was so right in describing his staff as unusual!

"Three Cups of Tea,"covering the years 1993 to 2003, dealt with establishing schools in Pakistan. "Stones," dealing with the following years up to the end of 2009, mainly chronicles Greg and Company's foray into Afghganistan, even, beginning in 2007, into areas beset with Taliban combat near the Pakistan border.

The book also contains a wonderful account of how schools were established by Greg's institute in the troubled Pakistan part of the Kashmir after the tragic earthquake of 2005 that left 86,000 dead and destroyed so many villages.

Greg's entry into Afghanistan in 2004 was the result of the 1999 promise he had made to some Kirghaz horesmen (descendents of the skilled Mongolian horesemen of centuries ago), an incident recounted in "Three Cups of Tea." Against impossible odds he finally managed to get a school built in their most remote and isolated village (10,480 feet above sea level)on the Roof of the World in the fall of 2009.

It's a tale you shouldn't miss.

Wonderful book! Wonderful man! I wish all aid workers and governments would read this book.

STONES INTO SCHOOLS:
Promoting Peace with Books, not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan

by
Greg Mortenson

Greg Mortenson is a pioneer on the new frontier of American Foreign Policy. "Books, not Bombs" is not a new idea, but Mortenson creates a path showing us the way. Like earlier pioneers we have known, he demonstrates a steady focus, courage and perseverance. Unlike many of them, he shows cultural sensitivity to those he encounters. He respects and listens to village elders. He's willing to partake in the "third cup of tea," thus becoming part of the family, aiming to enable and nurture rather than dominate. Understanding needs from the point of view of local inhabitants and truly wanting to help, he gives his word. His risk taking in behalf of keeping his word is breathtaking. His ability to recruit the allegiance and herculean efforts of local talent of many backgrounds is remarkable.

Those of us who have read this book, including the wives of American Military leaders and their husbands, are deeply impressed with his accomplishments. Revolutionary ideas need heroes that can show the way - the method. This book is important.

reviewed by:
Nancy P Greenleaf

Feb 28,2010

While I greatly appreciated the focus of the Central Asia Institute, I was disappointed by Mr. Mortenson's uncritical acceptance of folks in the military with their jargon-inspired reasoning (COIN - counterinsurgency operations equating to Afghani "style"), and his fleeting but flattering references to Thomas Friedman - the NY Times writer who thinks that market-controlled globalization is good for what ails the developing world. There are a whole lot of folks who think Mr. Friedman is full of it and his ideas have contributed to a lot of pain and instability for people who are working out their destiny, not to mention providing a rationale for US imperialism.

On the subject of imperialism, I was surprised that Mr. Mortenson didn't have more insight into why things were the way they were in places where the US was waging its own terrorist activities. Al Qaeda was a reaction to an existing situation - the wasting of Iraqi lives in the Gulf War by denying the rebuilding of infrastructure for the health of Iraqi citizens mainly women and children) and the desecration of Islam's holy places in Saudi Arabia by US forces.

I like Mr. Mortenson's goals and educational philosophy, but sure wasn't impressed by his critical thought: Admiral Mullen wasn't bringing in a bunch of reporters for totally altruistic motives - it was a photo op to show how much the military cared about the civilians even as they indiscriminately bombed them.

I wish the CAI good luck with their efforts to help all the regular folks in that area of the world, but wonder about their blithe acceptance of a US military that is making American assumptions about different cultures which they show little or no understanding of and prefer to shoot first rather than sit and have tea with.

Had Greg Mortenson not written Three Cups of Tea I would never have known anything, other than what is reported in mainstream media, about the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Seeing the people of these countries through his eyes, and more importantly through his soul, educated me in a way that let me look at them not as a threat to our society but rather as people who are barely eking out an existence under the cloud of war.

In learning how best to fulfill his promise to build a school, he listened to the hearts of parents and worked within the existing structure of their society, respecting their values and accepting their traditions.

Stones into Schools brings followers up-to-date on his non-profit organization, Central Asia Institute, and how, together with Afghan and Pakistani parents, villages, and sometimes government and military help, have taken the number of schools to 130.

Certainly an enlightening read.

The book I ordered, "Stones into Schools," arrived promptly and was well packaged. I was very pleased with the service.

This book, in Greg Mortenson's own words, picks up where Three Cups of Tea left off, in 2003 and describes his continuing struggle to bring schools into the far reaches of Afghanistan, in particular, up to Oct 2009. It is a terrific story of persistence and comradeship with the Pakistanis and Afghans with whom he collaborates, and without whom he could not have succeeded. Although I loved Three Cups of Tea, this is even better. It shows his humility, his appreciation of the cultures and the people with whom he works and lives, and is good adventure story as well.

Greg Mortenson was the detonator of an endeavor in education and health which snowballed in a huge sweep to finally end in the hands where it belonged from the very beginning: the Afghan and Pakistani locale. He is an inspiration in courage, tenacity, dedication, altruism, humility and a true saint who well deserves the Nobel Prize. Read the book while following its places on Google Earth and you'll have a full grasp of how arduous -and beautiful- Greg's journey was. This book reconciled me somewhat with our military as well. Spread the word, share the book and especially donate to the CAI to keep this wonderful gift of education to the world alive.

Regarding the writing, this book is more coherent than the first book. This one has a more continuous story.

Regarding the subject, this book is a must read regardless of your political standpoint. To paraphrase, the definition of insanity is to do the same thing and expect a different result.

I'm not mentioning the book itself, anything important is in the book or the synopsis. Read the book, I cannot emphasize this enough.

I think everyone should read this book. Greg Mortenosn is succeeding in Pakistan & Afghanistan where the mightiest military in the world is not. Mortenson is addressing the root problem in these countries, lack of education, particularly for girls. Education offers the possiblity of bringing the people in these countries out of their self imposed dark ages, killing and destruction does not. I HIGHLY recommend this book and Mortenson's first book, Three Cups of Tea to everyone. I suggest reading Three Cups of Tea before reading Stones into Schools, but it is not necessary.

This book and Three Cups of Tea should be required reading for everyone on the planet. Not only is is well written, but its an inspiration to us all of the power of what one man can do. This is a remarkable journey through the authors attempt to educate people in remote villages. Greg Mortenson's approach hinges on a simple idea: that by building secular schools and helping to promote education - particularly for girls- in the world's most volatile war zones, support for the Taliban and Al-Qaida and other exptemist sects will eventually dry up. "If we want a legacy of peace for our children, we need to understand that this is a war that will ultimately be won with books not bombs." The enemy is ignorance. The only way to defeat it is to build relationships with these people, to draw them into the modern world with education and business. Otherwise the fight will go on forever. People with options do not become terrorists. The key difference between them becoming a terrorist and a productive local citizen is education.

This is a gripping and inspirational sequel to "Three Cups of Tea," Greg Mortenson's story which describes building schools in Afghanistan.Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time The author acknowledges two writers, Mike Bryan and Kevin Fedarko, who undoubtedly helped make the book read like a fast-paced adventure story. Challenges such as the Taliban, unstable ethnic minorities and a corrupt government play out in a cold, rugged and remote region in northwest Afghanistan.
The gift Mortenson brings to this adventure is his ability to serve as a catalyst enabling local people to achieve positive results for their communities. He is able to meet with elders on their terms in their space and to tap into a shared vision for their communities: education (especially for women), fewer women dying in childbirth, fewer babies dying, building a bridge, obtaining resources from outside an isolated community. And like a catalyst, once the momentum begins, others take over and Mortenson can start another project.
Some of the most interesting anecdotes involve interactions with the US Military. Some examples: We learn that Admiral Eric Olson, head of the US Special Operations Command, made "Three Cups of Tea" mandatory reading for Special Forces soldiers deploying to Afghanistan. The letter from US Army Leutenant Colonel Christopher Kolenda on p. 258 shows a side of the military we rarely hear about. Operating in a remote, mountainous and rural area of Afghanistan, he e-mails Mortenson, praising him for his work and asking him and the CAI for help getting school supplies. Subsequent to an article in "Parade," Mortenson said he received cart loads of correspondence, much of it from service men and women. He later comments that he was ">>>struck by the realization that some of the values held by cadets, officers, and enlisted personnel seemed to mirror my own." (p 255)
In spite of these encouraging signs of attempts at community insight and involvement, one can only wonder what villagers really think when a US soldier dressed in camo, carrying a gun and bedecked with all manner of high tech gear, reaches out a hand and tries to develop a relationship. But "Stones into Schools" does provide some indication of a more enlightened military involvement.
Perhaps one of the main themes in this book is how extreme environmental challenges and adversity create situations where the strong and determined succeed. Mortenson started his relationship with Afghan villagers as a result of a mountaineering misadventure. His quest to build a school in the most remote part of Afghanistan, the Wakham Corridor, took 10 years to accomplish. In the process, ex-Taliban became leaders in promoting schools. Countries with which we do not have particularly good relations (China, Tajikistan) became part of the solution. The lesson learned is that when you share a common goal (rebuilding a school after an earthquake, establishing schools in remote areas), sometimes your adversaries become your accomplices.
Undoubtedly, this book was written in response to the many groups and individuals seeking more information about how Montenson, the CAI and his Afghan collaborators continue to build schools and relationships in spite of the continuing challenges from both internal and external forces. The book succeeds by providing first hand accounts of extraordinary efforts to mobilize communities and build schools -- several schools for the cost of bringing one US soldier onto the war. Amazing.

This is an amazing book. It shows that one person can truly make a difference. Greg Mortenson also wrote, "Three Cups of Tea," which tells how he came about building these schools in Pakistan and the "Stones into Schools" picks up where he left off with his first book. I recommend both books as they are both totally amazing.

Well written and profoundly pertinent for our day!
Provides and excellent view of the real situation in Pakistan and Afaganistan.

Greg Mortenson manages to write another interesting and informative follow up book to his best seller, Three Cups of Tea. Succeeding against all odds, and with the help of many dedicated friends,he is slowly building more schools and bringing education to girls and women in the countryside. The story of how this monumental task is achieved, makes for some very good reading.

After reading 'Stones into Schools', I feel I have a much better understanding of the varying politics and cultures of Afganistan. These people are trying so hard to pull themselves up after three decades of war and they realize that the education of there children is the best way to do it.

Several members of my family read the first book, Three Cups of Tea, and enjoyed it so much we kept passing it on to someone else to read. When we saw that Greg Mortenson had a new book out, we couldn't wait to read it. So far, the comments are, "Even better than the first one." I also plan to include one of his books in next year's reading list for my junior and senior high school students.

The author leads the reader through the exhausting day to day life of what he has to do to turn stones into schools. This book contains more about the necessary but repetitive and wearying public speaking engagements and fundraising efforts Mr Mortenson undertakes when he is "home." And the daily pre-dawn phone calls to or from his staff in Pakistan and Afghanistan, calls which in turn often require canvassing his Board of Trustees before approving another new request.

When the author gets over to Af-Pak, as he calls it, the administrative burdens don't retreat, instead added to them are travel and logistical nightmares. Add on some heart wrenching in country realities, some hard won successes and a profound sense that where Greg has chosen to build schools, it is rare that the team catches a break.

That he loves what he does and believes it makes a critical difference left me gripped with hope that he can effect more changes and burdened with sorrow at the extent of suffering even where he and his resourceful staff have opened a new school.

It is an interesting read, a cautionary tale for those who think Third World humanitarian efforts will submit to business school methodology, and a moving testament to the efforts of the author and his excellent team.

If one reads only three books by Mortenson ("Three Cups of Tea" and "Stones into Schools") and Galeano ("Open Veins of Latin America") ---- all purchased thru Amazon.com ---- one immediately becomes impressed with the hyprocricy of U.S. foreign policy. Granted, the Taliban is bad, but until U.S. defense department news releases coming out of Afghanistan focus more on the building of schools and infrastructure than they do on body count, it's pretty hopeless.

Greg Mortenson is an obsessive. A good kind of obsessive, obviously. Known as "Dr. Greg" throughout large stretches of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Greg Mortenson was first obsessed with a couple of things: climbing mountains, and his little sister's Christa's courage and determination at living with epilepsy. After her death, Mortenson decides to climb K2 as a final tribute to her, but is distracted by a life-saving errand before he can summit the mountain. On his way back, having failed to fulfill his obsessive need to memorialize his sister, he gets lost and almost dies before meeting the villagers of Korphe, Pakistan, and, before he leaves their company, forms his new obsession. His new obsession, which combines facing insurmountable odds with improving the lives of little girls, is still playing out, and it demonstrates many things, starting with the power of one person to change the world for the better. If American citizens cannot control the expenditure of their tax dollars to make war in Afghanistan, we can at least contribute money to the Central Asia Institute to fund a far more efficient project that spreads the extraordinarily liberating results of basic education for children, especially girls. That at least 33% of the children going to school in their new buildings should be girls is written into the contracts CAI signs with the communities it builds schools in. And there's evidence that a tendency to obsession is an inherited trait, as Mortenson's father spent twenty years building a hospital in Africa, one whose every department would soon be headed by an African. Giving up is not a Mortenson trait.

Three Cups of Tea told the story of the Central Asia Institute's first years, and touched hearts, minds, school children in possession of pennies, and adults with checkbooks across this country. Mortenson was building primarily in Pakistan in Three Cups of Tea. In Stones Into Schools, he invades Afghanistan (in the middle of a war) with the help of a star member of his Dirty Dozen employees and acquires new Afghani personnel, who, it occurs to me, are just as likely to be obsessives as Mortenson is. Accomplishing what CAI accomplishes is not a job for wimps or dawdlers. Both books are adventure tales of the highest order--the dangers are real, the army of school builders is brave physically, culturally, and politically. To obsessives, educating the children, is so much more important than living a comfortable life, or even living past the end of the week. Mortenson tells more of the story himself in Stones, and I prefer the style of the second book to the first. In Three Cups of Tea, David Oliver Relin produced the final text, and its stylistic felicities do not triumph over the sheer length of many of his sentences. Mortenson and his research assistants in Stones are more merciful to the reader who wants to arrive at the predicate of the sentence with some idea of that the subject was.

Each of these books is an adventure story, a travelogue with the texture and richness of a good novel, with sympathetic and admirable characters, a history lesson about a part of the world most of us know little about, and a wonderfully inspiriting account of a gently obsessive man's arrival at the top of a much tougher mountain than K2. Read both books and applaud, and send some money if you can.

Greg Mortenson deserves the Nobel Peace Prize! it's hard to find words to express just how much I admire his work and love this book--as well as his earlier "Three Cups of Tea." You get a sense of the nitty-gritty difficulties of his mission as well as his soaring faith in people. Thank the Lord, the U.S. military is listening to his ideas--his first book "Three Cups of Tea" is now required reading in some U.S. military facilities.
I hope other NGOs heed the lessons in his accounts of the sometimes misguided efforts to help victims of the Pakistani earthquake--people burning piles of donated parkas for fuel, because that is what they really needed. In contrast, the Turkish govt. sent them nails, shovels, and corrugated iron to build shelter.
Greg's Three Cups of Tea philosophy hinges on getting to know people and listening to what they say, and what their needs are, instead of assuming that you know best--this includes children. One endearing example is when Greg's daughter asks whether the schools have playgrounds. They didn't--no one had thought of this--and when playgrounds were built at one of the schools, some visiting Taliban sympathizers were so impressed that they asked for a school to be built in their area!
One episode that illustrates Mortenson's tolerance and patience concerns a young woman who couldn't accept a scholarship because of her brother-in-law's objections. Instead of steamrolling over this hurdle--unjust as it is--he accepts the family's decision, saying her scholarship is waiting for her if they change their minds. This is the way to win hearts and minds!
The book reads like an adventure novel, with vivid descriptions of the majestic Afghan landscape and lively portrayals of the truly remarkable people, including a former Taliban insurgent, who help Greg turn dreams into reality. There's also the heartrending story of the little orphan boy who works for food and shelter in a garage and then disappears--Greg keeps his photo (also in the book)on his desk. That little boy--and the millions of Afghan boys and girls--is an example of resilience and fortitude that U.S. "helicopter parents" would do well to keep in mind.
I enjoyed the color photos--e.g., the indefatigable Sarfarz and his trusty horse--and was amused and amazed to see a group photo of the guys who had kidnapped Greg earlier (the story is in Three Cups of Tea).
The Kirghiz were the first people I learned about in geography class in Australia many years ago, so I was especially interested in his harrowing account of their plight and the long-delayed completion of their school. What impresses me most of all is Greg's honesty and humility--his willingness to share his doubts and perceived mistakes and failings--coupled with his unflagging optimism and faith. He is truly one of the most remarkable human beings of our century.

Greg Mortenson is one of the most inspirational people alive. He has helped to restore my faith in humanity. If you have not read "Three Cups of Tea" do so before reading "Stones into Schools". Both books are fascinating and very uplifting. At a time when the news from Pakistan and Afghanistan is all about violence and misery, here is a story about a man and his organization (Central Asia Institute) that makes one realize that there is hope for this part of the world. If tolerance and reason are to triumph over terrorism and extremism we will need more people like Greg Mortenson.

Stones Into Schools is beautifully written and surprisingly exciting. The characters are larger than life, particularly Sarfraz Khan, Greg Mortenson's trusted Pakistani friend and project manager for Greg's Central Asia Institute.
This book should be required reading for all Americans of all ages, and perhaps for the entire world.
What Greg Mortenson has accomplished with his humble attitude and personality is more than astounding. He is a very gifted man who has brought hope to so many people in the far reaches of our world.
Stones Into Schools takes us to the edge of the earth and makes us really care to what is happening in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The reader will be deeply affected by reading this astonishing work.

I loved this book. It took me right into the wonderful
adventure of the joint effort of an amazing American: Greg Mortenson
and the villagers of remote Pakistan/ Afganistan to educated their
children. In this book you meet Greg and his wonderful "dirty dozen" and you rejoice is this wonderful move forward toward Peace.

This book was even better than the first book Greg wrote. He is an amazing person and a humanitarian of the first order. I would love to meet him someday.

This was incredibly inspirational as well as interesting. If Greg Mortenson doesn't get a Nobel Peace Prize, there is no sense in it. I thought the saga would grind to a halt after 3 Cups of Tea, given the situation in Afghanistan, but the effort continues, with the efforts of Greg, the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan and they have the support of the US military. I saw him on Bill Moyer's journal, where he pointed out that it costs a million dollars a year to support one soldier in Afghanistan, and for one million dollars, the Central Asia Institute could build one hundred schools. Think how much positive impact education could have in the world

We loved the CD's of Three Cups of Tea and hoping for another winner with From Stones to Schools. However, we found the impact of the narrative dramatically reduced and compromised by having a woman's voice speak in the first person as Greg Mortenson while attempting to replicate other male voices in the story as well.

As a woman, I feel the narrator does an excellent job of reading the story, but we just found it confusing and not nearly as compelling as when we were listening to Greg Mortenson himself tell his own personal story.

Greg Mortenson's work educating girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan is an ispiration. I am savoring every word.

Let me say first that Greg Mortenson gets my vote for the Nobel Peace prize. What he's accomplished is truly amazing. We should all be so lucky to stumble into a 'wrong turn' that inadvertently reveals a life path that is rewarding on so many levels.
I read Stones into Schools immediately having finished his predecessor 'Three Cups of Tea', and I loved 3 Cups. In 3 cups I was drawn to into the immediacy of the challenges faced by a young man attempting to fulfill a promise fueled initially by sheer perseverance. I was present for his growth as he realized how he needed to change, adapt, and grow in order to overcome the myriad of obstacles that beset him. I was delighted and moved by his successes, failures, and detours -- a testament to the story and story writing.
'Stones' carries some of the elements that made 'Three Cups' so enjoyable for me, but not to the same extent. Much of the early part of the book felt like a recap of his previous book. As the book progresses we're taken on the journeys of school-building (and water supply, and disaster assistance, etc.)in the colorful communities, but not as vividly as in '3 Cups'. The reason it would seem (to me) is that Greg's role has evolved from front-line, hands-on project manager and trouble shooter to fund raiser in the United States. This is a logical evolution of his work and makes perfect sense but what's lost in the narrative are the details of his interactions with the people. So this time we're taken, for the most part, on journeys with his 2 key assistants in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their story is still rich, what they accomplish is fantastic, and watching the local people run with the cause that Greg initiated is satisfying. It's just that in the telling the story has a 'this is what THEY did' feel as opposed to the immediacy and color of 'here's what happened to ME and here's what I did'.
That said, a little $$ goes a long way in these challenged countries and hopefully reading these books inspires everyone to take the next step in making their world the place we'd all like for it be. Thanks for reading.

Stones into Schools, the "sequel" to Three Cups of Tea is a superb telling of the outstanding work Greg Mortenson and his "Gang of Twelve" are doing in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Building schools and spreading peace.
And this book has MAPS!! So it is much easier to follow where everything is happening. I was also thrilled to see a Glossary of names and a dictionary to help us keep track of the people and definitions.
Well done, Greg!

I just loved this book and didn't want the story to end. The work he is doing is just unbelievable. I wish he'd write a follow up on how the various schools are doing. I recently read that a school was destroyed in a bomb attack nearby and hope that it wasn't one of his. This should be required reading for all high school students.

Greg Mortenson never fails to deliver. In his second book, "Stones into Schools," he delivers a play-by-play account of his school building experiences in Afghanistan and Pakistan just where "Three Cups of Tea" left off. One of the more interesting parts contained in this books is his accounts of trying to locate a school at one of the most distant regions in Afghanistan. He also gives a wonderful account of the many interactions he had with political leaders and U.S. military leaders during his work. This book is well worth the high cost. Plus, considering the way this book ends, I expect an additional book to be in the works.

Greg once again delivers a book which takes you into the heart of life in Afganistan and Pakistan. He continues through his non-profit change the lives of thousands of children and rural villiagers. Greg continues to inspire and bring the best of America to this volitile region.

I so enjoyed 3 Cups of Tea, but I thought this was even better!! I have recommended both to MANY friends.

Greg Mortenson is truly an amazing person and will one day receive the Pulitzer prize for peace. He moves me everytime I read his book or hear him speak in person. I feel this book should be required reading for every high school and college student. A movement has begun to establish peace w/o bombs and Greg has set the tone and leads the way for all those who desire peace I am truly happy that our military officers and leaders are reading this book and changing their strategy in Afganistan. Although I loved "Three Cups of Tea", "Stones into Schools" showed his improvement in writing and telling his story. This is five stars if there ever was a book worthy of them.

I bought this as a gift for my mother-in-law. She was excited about starting it, she had heard of the author and was interested in the book. Haven't heard how she liked it, but I'm sure I would have heard if she didn't like it. Buying from Amazon is so easy.