Stones into Schools

Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan

By: Greg Mortenson

Narrated by: Atossa Leoni

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the number one best-seller Three Cups of Tea, the continuing story of this determined humanitarian’s efforts to promote peace through education

In this dramatic first-person narrative, Greg Mortenson picks up where Three Cups of Tea left off in 2003, recounting his relentless, ongoing efforts to establish schools for girls in Afghanistan; his extensive work in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan after a massive earthquake hit the region in 2005; and the unique ways he has built relationships with Islamic clerics, militia commanders, and tribal leaders. He shares for the first time his broader vision to promote peace through education and literacy, as well as touching on military matters, Islam, and women - all woven together with the many rich personal stories of the people who have been involved in this remarkable two-decade humanitarian effort.

Since the 2006 publication of Three Cups of Tea, Mortenson has traveled across the US and the world to share his vision with hundreds of thousands of people. He has met with heads of state, top military officials, and leading politicians who all seek his advice and insight. The continued phenomenal success of Three Cups of Tea proves that there is an eager and committed audience for Mortenson’s work and message.

©2009 Greg Mortenson (P)2009 Penguin

Great book.

This is a great read. I highly recommend it after Three Cups of Tea. I also found the female reader very distracting since it was written by Greg in the first person. Odd choice of a narrator!! But it is well written, enthralling, inspiring and hard to put down. I didn't want it to end.

Love the Story, and it's True!

I love this book! I read Three Cups of Tea and listened to this book, the sequel, at work. It's inspirational, exciting, and the woman reading has a wonderful voice and an interesting accent.

Excellent book, terrible narrator

Unlike some, I did not like the narrator at all. She read in an overly dramatic voice one would use in a children's storybook, and resulting in the narration lacking the gravity that it deserved. The characters sounded ridiculous in her voice especially Mortenson, as this was written in first person, and she was unable to create character distinctive character voices. When I looked her up, I was not surprised she had narrated the children's edition of Three Cups of Tea, on which I'm sure she did an excellent job. I liked the book despite the narrator, but will make sure to avoid her in the future. (I wanted to scream every time she said "Twenny" instead of "Twenty"?) Mortenson delivered, however, with the book, fabulous.

Uplifting, but repetitive

The story was uplifting but repetitive. The narrator was female, and the story's author was male.

Narrator distracts from valuable story

Three stars is a compromise review. The substance of the book is excellent. The narrator drove me crazy. I probably could have wrapped my head around a female reading a first person male book BUT her mispronunciation of numerous words or lisp or sloppy diction drove me to distraction.

Inspiring

Greg Mortenson deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. He has done more to advance the cause of women in underdeveloped countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan than any other person. The fact that the U.S. military listens to him and requires those serving in the region to read his books is testament to Greg's wisdom and experience. I recommend this book to everyone.

Do not like narrater

Content is great as was Three Cups of Tea but the book is written in first person yet they have a female narrater. Big mistake and distracting when listening....

Voice of The author?

Though I love the story and the narrator was quite good it was a little confusing for me to listen to a woman tell the story of Greg Mortenson when using the first person. I believe I would have enjoyed the narration much more had it been in a mail voice.

Though I am betting that given Greg's discomfort with the first person narration that he may have asked to have a woman tell the story. That made me smile.

This book is not as good as his first.

The sequel is always a more difficult sell and this one does not deliver. It is a continuation of the story and introduces more of the characters. He is a great guy doing a wonderful work but this book is not up to the first.

3 Cups of Tea -part 2

While the book was enjoyable, it really was a continuation of the first book, Three Cups of Tea, which I must say, I did enjoy more.