We had another very interested crowd at the Barnes and Nobel reading group on Saturday, and generous donors who gave us bills, rather than pennies!

We also talked with a teacher from Biggs who is doing a Pennies for Peace campaign at her school this month.

We are winding down---a few more community events, one more on campus on April 6 (details to come), the final Barnes and Nobel event on April 9, and then Greg will be here! He has generously agreed to spend some time at Chico High School, do two class talks on campus, a dinner with President Zingg, and then the talk in Laxson.

Now we need to focus on the fundraising---please support the students who are heading up the campaign on campus. There was an announcement today and you can add a jug to your office, if you don't already have one. Contact Samantha if you would like to help with that aspect--her email is samanthasolo14@yahoo.com

When I got re-motivated to take up the blog again, I realized I'd lost my copy of "Three Cups of Tea." I wonder if I loaned it to someone, left it at a coffee shop, or perhaps it's gathering dust in my old E-R desk. Anyway, I'll be picking up a new one soon. Meanwhile, I have a couple of questions related to 3CT.

I just finished reading a novel by Barbara Kingsolver, "The Poisonwood Bible," an awesome book a coworker loaned me, about a missionary and his family in the Congo in the early 1960s. First, it made me realize how little I know about Africa and the United States' involvement in African countries and revolutions. Then, it provoked some thoughts I'd had in relation to Greg Mortenson and 3CT.

First question: What is our responsibility to someone who puts himself or herself in harm's way? When Mortenson goes where he might be in danger (first climbing K2, and later when he travels in Afghanistan) should he be rescued?

Second question: (This one's an old one from my freshman year in high school when I joined the debate team.) Should U.S. aid to foreign countries be limited to non-military assistance? Iif so, how can we be sure it's not used for military purposes anyway?

By MARY NUGENT

CHICO — Bernice Weborg just happened to be at City Plaza on a Thursday afternoon in September, when Mayor Andy Holcombe read a proclamation naming the book "Three Cups of Tea" as a common read for the city.

Weborg, 85, was intrigued with the idea of a Book in Common. Reading a book along with her community was appealing.

Weborg, who lives at Jarvis Gardens apartments, did start a group. A retired teacher, Weborg said organization comes easily to her. She also loves to read, and has shelves upon shelves of books.

"I got the ("Three Cups of Tea") books from the library and a list of discussion questions," she said.

The book, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, is the true story of one man's campaign to build schools in the most dangerous, remote and anti-American area of Pakistan.

It lent itself to a fine weekly discussion, Weborg said. "There have been 14 of us, all retired, ages 60 to 90. Everyone loved the book. Only one woman was a little negative about it, but altogether, it was really a wonderful experience."

She said Shahid also visited one of the group's meetings, and shared her experiences married to an Afghan. The final meeting was Oct. 30.

Oliver Allen, senior library assistant at Chico library, said he has seen interest in groups such as Weborg's, and added the library has a few "Book Club in a Box" starter kits.

"We have three of them, and each has 11 copies of the book plus a handout for discussion."

Allen said since "Three Cups of Tea" was introduced in September, the community has shown steady interest. "It's been pretty fluid. We have 150 copies throughout the county. It does seem this book is well-liked," he said.

Staff writer Mary Nugent can be reached at 896-7764 or mnugent@chicoer.com.

I'm finding that I'm enjoying the book a lot more on the second reading and I'm noticing passages that I can appreciate more. For example, the title of the chapter is ironic, isn't it? Mortenson's wrong turn actually put him on the right side of the river for the work that became his life from that day forward.

That's the first line, the first paragraph and pretty the meaning of the whole chapter. I love the passage that describes what happened when he opened his eyes as an observer, rather than a mountain-climber. He's sitting on a boulder, having retraced his trail once he knew he was lost. "But he couldn't drink in enough of this setting. ... Though Mortenson had already been there for months, he drank in the drama of these peaks like he'd never seen them before. 'In a way, I never had,' he explains. 'All summer, I'd looked at these mountains as goals, totally focused on the biggest one, K2. ... But that morning,' he says, 'for the first time, I simply saw them. It was overwhelming.'" (p. 18-19)

That point is when Mortenson's life changes directions and I find it interesting that the act of perceiving can be the evidence of change. It's all in how we see things.

But another part of that chapter is simply too much fun to not mention and chuckle over. As Mortenson stumbles along, he sings an old hymn that he learned as a child that most of us know starts "What a friend we have in Jesus, He lives in Heaven." But since he lived in Tanzania as a child, he sings it in Swahili. The authors refer to the "novelty of the moment -- an American, lost is Pakistan, singing a German hymn in Swahili." Novel, yes, but I think there's something more. That cross-linguistic, cross-cultural, cross-nationality incident lets us know a little bit more about Mortenson that makes his future success in rural Pakistani villages possible.

This week, I met with two groups to talk about the book, groups with two very different opinions on it. A friend of mine who teaches English as Butte College met with me and we talked about the writing itself ... one of those quirky things English teachers love to do. Then I met with an eclectic group at Chico State University, including staff, a student and me. Although two of the book club members had not finished the book, they both seemed to be appreciating its story and message. Besides discussing parts of the story, Mortenson's character, and other aspects of the book, we talked about concerns that escalating warfare in Northern Pakistan may make Mortenson's work harder and other related topics. Both very interesting discussions, for very different reasons

By CHRIS GULLICK

BUTTE VALLEY — Cultural connections, economic impacts and social stereotypes were among the subjects explored by a panel of six Butte College professors Thursday afternoon, during an event centering around the Book in Common program.

“Three Cups of Tea,” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, was adopted as a community Book in Common for the year by the cities of Chico and Oroville, Chico State University, Butte College, the Butte County Library and other community organizations, with events planned throughout the year until Mortenson’s scheduled appearance at Laxson Auditorium in April.

Tom Grothe, an instructor in international communications, gave a brief synopsis of the book, which tells the story of Mortenson’s mission to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan after failing to reach summit at K2, the world’s second highest mountain.

To date, he has built more than 55 schools in remote, rural villages and he continues to raise funds as founder of the Central Asia Institute.

Grothe read a section from the book that recounts Mortenson learning the significance of taking the time to share three cups of tea with his host. Grothe explained that it illustrated what happens when outcome-oriented Americanism butts up against relationship-oriented, and slow-moving Pakistani culture.

The book challenges readers to question stereotypes, he elaborated.

“It’s people like Mortenson who won’t let us stereotype.”

Jay Goldberg, who teaches English as a second language, talked about language barriers and how Mortenson could understand the people in that part of Pakistan because he lived in their culture and learned their language.

Angela Kraemer, an English instructor, showed off a traditional dress from Saudi Arabia and compared traditions from that culture to Pakistani traditions that appear in Mortenson’s story, such as the way guests are considered sacred people.

“It’s absolutely essential to accept at least two cups of coffee (in Saudi Arabia) ... and you never refuse,” she explained.

“Like Mortenson, I was a stranger, but I never felt like an outsider.”

Sociology teacher Julie Withers related how Mortenson’s effort to build schools in developing countries, especially those for girls, is vital to break a cycle of poverty.

The global education of women, she explained, effects more change in a nation’s economic success than any other improvement, and has made headway against malnutrition, infant mortality, disease and other maladies.

Economics instructor Steve Price stated small investments to support small businesses, such as the Pennies for Peace program that Mortenson promotes, have proven to be successful methods for growing the economies of developing countries.

Maria Shahid, a Spanish teacher, wore a flowing garment she said was typical of the area around Korphe, Pakistan, where Mortenson built his first school. She explained that she came to the United States from Mexico and married a man from Pakistan.

“We’re living in a house with three cultures, three languages and three religions,” she said. “It takes a lot of respect.”

She read passages from Mortenson’s book and concluded that his success came about because of the respect he showed for the Pakistan culture and people.

At the back of the conference room at the Butte College library, a jar welcomed donations to the Pennies for Peace drive, with hopes that the organizations participating in the Book in Common program will be able to raise enough money by April to present Mortenson with funds for one more school.

The next few events planned include the following:
• A lecture on “Restorative Justice: A New Paradigm for Social Transformation,” by Azim Khamisa at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Room 134 of Chico State University’s Performing Arts Center

• A movie showing of “Charlie Wilson's War” at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Paradise branch of Butte County Library, 5922 Clark Rd., and 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Oroville branch, 1820 Mitchell Ave.

• A forum on “Anthropologists at War: Human Terrain Systems and the War in Afghanistan” mediated by Jesse Dizard at 4 p.m. Oct. 30, in Room 120 of Chico State University’s Ayers Hall.

Staff writer Chris Gullick can be reached at 896-7760 or cgullick@chicoer.com.

While some of the group agreed with me, one woman also pointed out that it seems "journalistic." That hit home, being a journalist myself and I realized that was exactly right, and after all, co-writer David Oliver Relin's background is in journalism. When I report on an event or an issue for local news, I don't try to persuade my readers and I certainly don't try to engage their emotions. I strive for clear, unbiased writing, as a true observer. In that respect Relin succeeded in what he set out to do, I suppose. He researched Mortenson's story and observed all the particulars, then he wrote the story in a journalistic manner. Once again, I wonder if another choice of style may have been a better one. But, judging by the book club members' ravings about Mortenson's message and accomplishments, the writing was indeed persuasive, despite its "journalistic style."

Another book club member refuted my argument that Relin's writing was not all that powerful, when I explained that the story was told in a childlike manner, as if there were no beginning, climax or conclusion. It seems to be a series of "and then ... and then ... and then ... " and I had no feeling of the central, most important point being made. I certainly had no sense of conclusion. The woman commented, "I think Mortenson's story isn't over."

The first chapter, "Failure," sets the stage for the great irony of the book. When Mortenson fails at summiting K2 and takes another path, he is ultimately set on the way to a far greater success. Only through getting lost can he find the way to his accomplishments.

The book group wondered why Mortenson makes so many trips from the base camp partway up the mountain to carry supplies to upper camps and why he and Scott Darsney end up responsible for helping rescue one of their team mates, when they had just come back from an exhausting re-supplying trip. One answer suggested is that mountain-climbers are fairly selfish and self-absorbed overall and the others in his team were more concerned about their own ascents to care whether or not teammates made it to the top. I'll buy that. In which case, I guess "teammates" is an inaccurate label. I also noted that communication between teammates didn't seem to be a priority.

I noted that the chapter was a little confusing on my first reading last month. Part of that is my lack of understanding about mountain-climbing in general, but another part of it may be intentional. When I reread it this week, I appreciate the confusion because it's almost as if I were experiencing Mortenson's exhausted dementia.

"Working on this book was a true collaboration. I wrote the story. But Greg Mortenson lived it," Relin writes, on page 5. He introduces himself to us and introduces Mortenson, as well, with descriptions that make M. sound saintly. Then he drops out of the picture for the rest of the book, writing a basic third-person story of the previous 10 years of Mortenson's life. Apparently Relin spent a couple of years researching Mortenson's life, including interviewing dozens of people and visiting all the places in Pakistan and Afghanistan that would appear in the book, in respectable reporter style. (Relin writes for Parade and other publications.) The intro begins with a snapshot of one of the research trips with Mortenson.

I think it's my favorite part of the whole book. On beginning my second read of "Three Cups," I'm struck by how personal this opening is. I enjoy the intimacy of the first-person narrative and I wonder if a first-person recounting would have improved the voice of the entire story. Parts of it dragged, I thought. As I mentioned before, I felt the message put forth by the book was more powerful than the telling of it. Relin is no William Faulkner or Toni Morrison. And yet his writing comes closest to greatness in the intro, when we feel connected to his emotions and can experience what he does. I wonder how he might have pulled us into Mortenson's feelings at various places in the story.

And then as a reporter myself, I sympathize with Relin when he confesses that he was one of those "objective journalists ... at risk of being drawn into his (Mortenson's) orbit." Rather than just observing and writing about Mortenson, as an unbiased reporter, Relin wants him to succeed and agrees that education is the only way to fight terrorism.

So, does anyone agree with me that the introduction is the best-written chapter of the book and can you argue that a first-person narrative throughout would be a mistake?

Yes, of course.

Then he proceeded to rave about it, saying he couldn't put it down and was already more than half-way through in the first couple of days. I think the words he used were "incredible" and "wonderful." I finished the book just over a month ago and found it interesting, valuable and inspiring -- the things everyone I talk to says about it. Some people say they can't put it down and devour it in a few days. Not so with me. I'm a voracious reader and I race through many books, but I walked my way through "Three Cups of Tea," taking nearly three weeks to read cover to cover. Yet I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. In thinking about the book, I'd say its wonder comes from its lessons on culture, its historical perspective and its message in general, rather than the story it tells. And I do love a good story.

That said, I decided to buy a copy of the book, since I'd borrowed one from the Chico Library for my first read, and start again. So, my plan at this point is to blog on the book chapter by chapter and invite comments. Who wants to read along?

The article discusses the kickoff event and the local effort to raise money to help build a school in Pakistan. The article quotes William Loker, Chico State University's dean of undergraduate education, about his desire to present author Greg Mortenson with a check for a new school during the writer's local appearance next year.

"They're a tribal group who barely recognize that Pakistan exists," Loker said. "And the people are really hungry for education, and that's why he's welcome here."

Click to read the entire article

For the foreseeable future, I (Chris Gullick) will be moderating the blog, and prodding others to participate.

As a writer, anytime reading and writing are being talked about, I get excited. So, naturally I love the idea of a whole community, or at least a number people from different parts of the community, discussing a book. As a reporter, I'm finding it a little hard to stay neutral on this series of events and the public (as well as my editor) may have to forgive me for crossing that line between reporting and participating.

That said, I'm looking forward to reading what others have to say about Mortenson's book.