When a Book becomes an Ax

Kafka said that a book should serve as an ax for the frozen sea within us. In a time of rampant negativism, when so much seems wrong or crazy we all need some help that can put our lives and our world into some kind of meaningful perspective. I have felt that power in two books that I have read recently.

Tracy Kidder’s Strength in What Remains, is the story of Deo from the country of Burundi. I was not aware of Burundi but it is a country near Rwanda. His country experienced the same violence and destruction that Rwanda faced. Deo somehow survived civil war and genocide and barely escaped with his life. Most of his family was murdered by wild gangs hell-bent on destruction. Remarkably he found his way to the United States with $200.00 and not knowing the language. He eked out a living delivering groceries, living in Central Park, learning English by reading dictionaries in bookstores. He began to meet strangers—first an ex-nun and then a whole cadre of people who cheered him on and helped him along the way. Eventually he made it to Columbia University and Medical school and devotes his life to healing others.

Tracy Kidder is a Pulitzer Prize winning author of many books. He tells Deo’s story in an unforgettable way. In a time when we struggle with immigrants and search for hope—the book will lift your spirits.

Another very different book is Greg Mortensen's, Stones into Schools. I first became acquainted with Mortenson through his best seller, Three Cups of Tea. Mortenson barely survived a mountain climbing expedition when others of his party were killed. When he finally collapsed in a little village in Pakistan the villagers nursed him back to life. Without their help he probably would have died. As he grew stronger he learned many things about the people of that village and their country. They had no school—most were illiterate and knew little of the outside world. So Mortenson in gratitude for saving his life promised them he would build a school. Three Cups of Tea is the story of the struggles and near-impossible hurdles he had to overcome in order to build that school. He especially was interested in schools for girls since education f or girls was almost nonexistent. He began to feel strongly that schools and not bombs might just help change these people.

Since that beginning sixteen years ago Greg has promoted peace through the establishment of 130 schools in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Most of these are for girls. His idea in fighting terrorism was to give girls a chance to learn. Many of them, in turn would become mothers and influence their children in healthy ways. These educated girls have began to discover the possibilities of their own personal gifts. Many have become teachers and physicians and filled other important jobs in their countries.

This second book. Stones into Schools continues Mortenson’s journey since 2003. He turned his attention to war-torn Afghanistan. Despite a devastating earthquake, bombs falling in other parts of that country—Mortenson with the help of many natives built schools in places that seemed impossible. In 2007 he began to work in the heart of Taliban country. In heroic and amazing ways Mortenson rallied renegade men and many others to use talents they never knew they had to build schools, help their people and change their lives and their world.

His work has been recognized by the Government. His Three Cups of Tea is required reading at West Point and for many in the military. Both Generals Praetaus and McChrystal have met with Mortenson and listened to his amazing philosophy. This is the story of what one remarkable man has done to leap across the most difficult of cultural barriers to make a profound difference in the lives of people in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

As the war rages on and so many of our men and women still come home broken or in coffins—Mortenson points to a different way. I recommend both books highly.