Leni Zumas's writing crackles. Her books are sharp, bleak, funny, and possibly dangerous. When her collection of short stories, Farewell Navigator,...
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It's not hard to admire Lincoln as the person we know from stories we're told as children and given the political crisis that was unfolding at the time he became president. Doris Kearns Goodwin makes his story all the more remarkable as she adds perspective from those close to him. To me, these perspectives made his childhood all the more painful; his drive to better himself all the more difficult; his bid for the presidency and the challenge to keep our nation united all the more miraculous. I enjoyed reading about his team of rivals: a cabinet composed of men who lost their own bid to become president. Written as a multiple biography, the book includes the perspectives of a the Sewards, a family worthy of their own book. This book held my attention throughout as the complexities of personal and national stories weaved together to create a look at a remarkable time in American history.
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Greg Mortenson's work is inspiring. 'All' he had to do to build 172 school serving mostly 68,000 students in earthquake, flood-ravaged, war- and poverty-stricken Afghanistan and Pakistan was: 1) learn several languages, 2) accept local custom and culture, 3) use his knack for creating an on-the-ground team, and 5) attend to all those "minor" logistical details like getting building materials to places yet to have a road. His perspective working with communities throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan shows a point of view not often found in the political play-by-plays we read about so often and demonstrates the humanity common to all.
Thank you, Greg, and all others out there who saw a need in the developing world and put their thoughts into action.
Greg Mortenson's work is inspiring. 'All' he had to do to build 172 school serving mostly 68,000 students in earthquake, flood-ravaged, war- and poverty-stricken Afghanistan and Pakistan was: 1) learn several languages, 2) accept local custom and culture, 3) use his knack for creating an on-the-ground team, and 5) attend to all those "minor" logistical details like getting building materials to places yet to have a road. His perspective working with communities throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan shows a point of view not often found in the political play-by-plays we read about so often and demonstrates the humanity common to all.
Thank you, Greg, and all others out there who saw a need in the developing world and put their thoughts into action.
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punches1 has commented on (3) products.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
punches1, July 11, 2011
It's not hard to admire Lincoln as the person we know from stories we're told as children and given the political crisis that was unfolding at the time he became president. Doris Kearns Goodwin makes his story all the more remarkable as she adds perspective from those close to him. To me, these perspectives made his childhood all the more painful; his drive to better himself all the more difficult; his bid for the presidency and the challenge to keep our nation united all the more miraculous. I enjoyed reading about his team of rivals: a cabinet composed of men who lost their own bid to become president. Written as a multiple biography, the book includes the perspectives of a the Sewards, a family worthy of their own book. This book held my attention throughout as the complexities of personal and national stories weaved together to create a look at a remarkable time in American history.(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Greg Mortenson and Mike Bryan
punches1, January 1, 2011
Greg Mortenson's work is inspiring. 'All' he had to do to build 172 school serving mostly 68,000 students in earthquake, flood-ravaged, war- and poverty-stricken Afghanistan and Pakistan was: 1) learn several languages, 2) accept local custom and culture, 3) use his knack for creating an on-the-ground team, and 5) attend to all those "minor" logistical details like getting building materials to places yet to have a road. His perspective working with communities throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan shows a point of view not often found in the political play-by-plays we read about so often and demonstrates the humanity common to all.Thank you, Greg, and all others out there who saw a need in the developing world and put their thoughts into action.
Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Greg Mortenson and Mike Bryan
punches1, January 1, 2011
Greg Mortenson's work is inspiring. 'All' he had to do to build 172 school serving mostly 68,000 students in earthquake, flood-ravaged, war- and poverty-stricken Afghanistan and Pakistan was: 1) learn several languages, 2) accept local custom and culture, 3) use his knack for creating an on-the-ground team, and 5) attend to all those "minor" logistical details like getting building materials to places yet to have a road. His perspective working with communities throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan shows a point of view not often found in the political play-by-plays we read about so often and demonstrates the humanity common to all.Thank you, Greg, and all others out there who saw a need in the developing world and put their thoughts into action.