5 comments about Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time.

1. I always look at the negative reviews first as this can be where you find kernels of truth. I looked here but must disagree with most of what I saw. Yes the writing style is a bit different; Yes there are sometimes more detail than what you would expect; And yes Mr Mortenson definitely marches to a different beat, which can be distracting in parts.
   
   However, this story is so compelling that a much worse author could have still made an impact. I actually found Mr Relin's flowery language quite picturesque - it brought me into the place with my minds eye. Whether there is artistic embellishment there or not - I don't care. I have seen a lot more of this in many staid history books (think Civil War books by well known authors). I am reminded of Ken Burns style in thinking about the prose.
   
   This book did what every good book does - it prompted in me a call to action. I am off to the website to offer a little return gift for the gift I received in reading this book.



2. This book is a must read for everyone. Not only does it highlight the need for education in all communities, but it provides insight into the current area conflicts thereby adding another dimension to our understanding of current events. Greg Mortenson outlines the struggles and motivations of the people involved in conflict in a clear, consise way - - much better than any journalist I have read. Only my opinion, but if you have any interest in building a better world this is the book to read.



3. I am enjoying "Three Cups of Tea" THOROUGHLY, mostly because I am a pacifist. I also believe seriously in providing an education to the children, so that they can make a difference (social, political) in their country....



4. I've read many climbing books, but none of them really captured the culture of the communities surrounding the mountain like Three Cups of Tea. As noted by many other reviewers, this book is not about climbing, but rather one man's quest to build schools in remote areas of Pakistan. Regardless of your political beliefs about what is going on in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Three Cups of Tea is a well written book and definitely worth the read.



5. This is a well-written story about an amazing individual.
   
   But it is much more. Every American needs to understand more about the cultures on the other side of the world that have shaped our history since 9/11.
   
   Buy several copies, you will want to share them with friends and family!

5 comments about Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson.

1. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson
   Review by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD.
   
   Mitch Albom's very popular 192-page book, Tuesdays with Morrie, can be enjoyed on a variety of levels. First, if you've ever had a great teacher, it is a wonderful and touching dialog between teacher and student. Second, the philosophical insights, wisdom, and simple life lessons Morrie Schwartz, a sociology professor at Brandies University, dispenses throughout the book are excellent, basic lessons on how to live. Third, you experience, along with Albom, Morrie's declining health (he's dying from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)), and it is an honest and straightforward lesson in how to die. Fourth, you learn from this experience that human relationships and health are more important than all the gadgets, modern conveniences, and the other trivialities that occupy our lives. Fifth, you enjoy the special connection that can take place between a spiritual mentor and a pupil. Sixth, you will be reading a book that will touch your heart in a deep and meaningful way. This is a short, inspirational book (It takes 2-4 hours to read), with the most important truth being: you learn to live by learning to die. The other truths include the necessity of devoting yourself to loving others, devoting yourself to your community, and devoting yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning. What's interesting about this book --- a type I tend to avoid, for the most part (it was recommended to me by my wife) --- is that "it lives up to all the hype!" It is a classic, and it will continue to be a bestseller for a long time. I highly recommend it.



2. This is a great book, it will get you thinking and remind you about how we all should be living. The author does a great job of making you feel as though you where there with them. I even had my 13 year old watch the movie of it, although the book is so much better, I just knew he would'nt read it.
   Thanks Morrie for sharing this with me and thanks to Mitch for bringing it to me.......



3. This book became one of my favorites ever. The story is not just about death but about life. As soon as you start reading this "Tuesdays with Morrie" you will start comparing Morrie's, Mitch's, and your life. Very inspiring. I recommended this book to many of my friends and they just fell in love. There are also YouTube videos showing real Morrie's interviews and DVD so check them out, too. Enjoy!



4. Read it, you will understand why it was on the best sellers list. Great book to read again. I always enjoy it. I love all of Mitch Albom's Books.



5. A very heartwarming read that will make you want to be there in the story. That makes you want to have experienced the story first hand and to have also met Morrie.
   It is not the happiest story in the world and is generally sad, though it is in the best way. Morrie talks about his lessons and hopefully you take time to think about what he says.

5 comments about Whatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada's Quest to Change Harlem and America.

1. If you are interested in childhood development, the future of education in America, and "closing the achievement gap" this book is a must-read. Engaging and fascinating, in turns inspiring and daunting, this book delivers it all. Paul Tough manages to make a cliff-hanger out of a biographical, scholarly work. Filled with the highlights of mind-blowing scholarly research, this makes you stop other people in their tracks and demand "listen to this!"



2. Geoffrey Canada has developed a comprehensive, holistic formula to successfully educate poor kids in Harlem who historically have not had a good educational outcome. This book details the work that went into the program his Harlem Children's Zone developed and administers. One of the best parts of the book is the detailed discussion of why kids who come from a background of poverty more often than not do not do well in school. It debunks myths that these kids have inferior intellects. It covers how their upbringing by well-meaning but highly stressed and beleagered parents puts them behind their affluent peers. It details how Canada, who was born in a poor neighborhood in the South Bronx, decided that if these kids were going to succeed in large numbers that his approach was going to have to affect every part of their lives, not just what happens while they are in school. The city I live in, Charlotte, NC, struggles with many of the same problems of a wide achievement gap between affluent white kids and poor black and Latino children. I am telling anyone who will listen that there is a way to educate all of the kids in our community and that what Geoffrey Canada has come up with may be the best approach. This is a great book that anyone who is passionate about public education and the inequities that exist in them will enjoy reading.



3. If you're paying attention to the education agenda under the Obama administration, you'll know about charter schools and you may have heard about Geoffrey Canada. If you are interested in charter schools or about how to successfully impact student performance outcomes working with high-poverty populations, this is a good case study of a successful school.



4. Paul Tough's account of Geoffrey Canada and The Harlem Children's Zone should be read and studied by everyone in education. Feeling a bit hopeless about what it might take to close achievement gaps in public schools? Read this. If you are discouraged about the challenges of bringing children from America's poorest communities up to grade level, and doing so on a sustained basis, read this. "Whatever It Takes," as the title implies, is about commitment. It's about top to bottom, front to back, never-give-up commitment. "Whatever It Takes" also is a terrific primer in simple, unadulterated problem analysis. Problems don't linger in Canada's world, they are attacked with energy and resolve.
   
   Canada approaches the problem with a blank slate. He has benefactors (investors with plump bank accounts) who watch his work like the careful investors they are. The resources give Canada the opportunity to attempt "whatever it takes" but Tough's careful reporting shows that dollars aren't all that matters. It also takes school leadership, effective teaching, and the right attitude to reach students with so many obstacles already stacked against them.
   
   Tough's writing is clear, solid and unambiguous. (If you read authors such as Michael Pollan or Timothy Egan, you'll enjoy Tough's unflashy style.) You may have seen the "60 Minutes" segment on Geoffrey Canada, but "Whatever It Takes" probes much deeper into how the organization was built and the significant challenges Canada faced--and met--along the way. Tough's recap of the organizational challenges is matched in reporting by the portraits of people we meet along the way. There's Canada's fascinating personal story first, of course, and then the parents, students and teachers who have built this remarkable model in the heart of Harlem. It's no wonder President Obama wants to replicate this project nationwide. It works.



5. From an international perspective this is a great book to get a historico-social lowdown on what is happening in the Harlem Childrens zone.
   
   I felt empathetic to the needs and concerns of the students, and also the problems faced by educators both of whom are measured only by systemic standardised tests.
   
   The biggest contribution to educational practice would have to be the holistic 'conveyor belt' paradigm created by Canada in which many programs from birth to maturity contribute to better outcomes for students - rather than herculean and ultimately unsustainable efforts by a few gifted and tireless teachers.
   
   I would have like to see more diagrams about these programs and some analysis (charts) of their contribution or effectiveness. The photos were however great and helped creat a connection between the story and the reader.
   
   Worth a read by all means, provokes important questions and provides some answers.

5 comments about The Calculus of Friendship: What a Teacher and a Student Learned about Life while Corresponding about Math.

1. A touching collection of letters between a high school math teacher and a former student which explores the role of mentoring over many decades. Although the letters contain lots of calculus, it is a truly moving story of a friendship between student and teacher that moves ever so slowly from a purely professional exchange of information into more personal territory.



2. Having read Strogatz's "Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos" Nonlinear Dynamics And Chaos: With Applications To Physics, Biology, Chemistry, And Engineering (Studies in nonlinearity)
   I can only say that this book shines in the same spirit of a man who is able to bring conceptual understanding of math to a level that the read is able to glimpse and understand the workings of the minds who derived and invented the theorems to begin with.
   Many reviewers here have already mentioned the heartfelt rendition of the author's friendship and how it developes over decades, however no less does the complexity and intricacy of the math evolve over the chapters.
   What stays the same is the easy with which Strogatz explains the concepts in his letters, even on complex (no pun intended) subject matter.
   As such, paraphrasing from the blurb, two things stay constant in the turmoil that is life, friendships, the other, the shared joy of curiosity.



3. Full disclosure: Don Joffray, about whom this book was written, was a great friend of my parents so I knew him as much more than a teacher. The great thing about this book is that the author, Steve Strogatz, paints an accurate, empathetic picture of Joff the man & Joff the teacher, and also weaves a compelling story about the enduring friendship between two math geeks (I say this with admiration). I am not a math major so some of the calculations went beyond my meager understanding, but that didn't matter. Even the math conversations replicated in the book were glimpses into the continuum of a student/teacher realtionship. Very cool!- V. Norris



4. This is a very interesting book about the relationship between a high school student and teacher that extends long after the student has graduated. Because both student and teacher are math teachers, the correspondence between them frequently revolves aroung math problems that interest them, but it includes much more than that. Not being mathematically inclined whatsoever, I skipped over all the math, and found it a touching story. For those interested in the math too, it will be a double treat.



5. Written by a Math Prof @ Cornell University, it is on Calculus, not in the dry formal math textbook way, but via a life story and many correspondences with his retired high-school math teacher, who helped the author overcome his fear of "epsilon-delta" in Calculus lesson at high-school.
   
   Also in this book the author gave the working example of Feynman's "Differentiate under Integral" trick, not shown in the original book "Are you Joking, Mr. Feynman" where Feynman mentioned he self-paced the "secret weapon" from the "Advanced Calculus" (Woods).
   
   I recommended this book to our local National Library to procure 10 copies for general public's reading. It is a shame if they don't, this book is an excellent reading for curious nonmathematicians.

5 comments about The Water Is Wide: A Memoir.

1. I read a news article about Pat Conroy and his book, The Water is Wide. I was instantly intrigued. I bought the book, read it and could not put it down. Since the book is written about his exploits as a teacher to "colored children" in a southern atmosphere and dealing with attitudes of a more southern nature, I'm surprised that he got as much accomplished as he did in his 1-year term as a teacher. All of the characters portrayed were painfully believable. This book tells it like it was during the 60's. I would definitely recommend the book for everyone who has an open mind, a sense of humor and is not afraid to delve into life's realities.



2. We enjoyed this book, gave us an insight as to how poor and neglected our neighbours are right here in our own country.
   Plus it was well written and kept your interest.
   A quick and informative read, yes, we recommend it.



3. I read this book over a year ago, and I still think of it as one of the best books I have ever read. I admit I am not a "well read" individual, but I read a book or two a month and this one continues to stand out. I agree with other reviews that it is a must read for teachers. I personally found the book so appealing because it left me laughing, then crying, then angry, then sad. It pulled and tugged at all of my emotions and made me see that I have given up too easily on some things I have wanted changed in my own life. Pat Conroy had to be creative and innovative to get through to the children as well as their parents. I believe he learned as much from the kids as they did from him. I was inspired by his story.



4. This book is about a passion very few teachers possess. I am a former special education teacher and a huge fan of Pat Conroy. I saw the first movie version of this book starring Jon Voight when I was in highschool. Since Conroy writes a book about every decade, (not often enough!), and I've read them all, I decided to go back and read this one. Regardless of the content, Pat Conroy always paints a spectacular picture with words. This book is no exception. As a former teacher, much of my time was spent trying/failing/creating new methods to reach my kids who possessed a wide range of learning styles. This is great reading for anyone but especially teachers. Educators will chuckle in agreement that there is at least one "Mrs. Brown" in every school, chain of command is gospel and quite likely a "Dr. Piedmont" resides at the top.



5. Captivating,sad, uplifting, discouraging and delightful all in one. The pages fly by. Shared it with my girlfriends and we had a great discussion regarding education in in the US. A worthwhile read!

5 comments about Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America.

1. I absolutely loved reading this book. Not only is it an inspiring story of the journey of 2 passionate teachers and their mentors (and the journey continues), it was written in such a way that it kept drawing you in to find out more about Levin, Feinberg and the others who have shaped the KIPP story. While it is primarily a story about teachers making a difference to inner city American children, it's appeal is far broader as it tells of people whose work is changing lives for the better and are giving hope to many who are facing a difficult and limited future.
   I live and work in a totally different country (Australia) and educational system but have drawn much inspiration and ideas that I will apply to my own life and teaching - particularly as I reflect on the passion, drive and perseverance that these people have shown on numerous occasions. I will be passing this book around to my friends!



2. If you found yourself out of your depth trying to teach students from a poor socio-economic background with little apparent interest in learning, how would you go about fixing the problem? That is essentially the problem that Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin, two fresh graduates participating in the Teach for America program faced, as described in thsi book.
   
   The book tells the story of the problems and obstacles faced by Feinberg and Levin in the US public school system which led to the creation of the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) chain of charter schools. The schools are built around five principles: high expectations, choice and commitment, more time, power to lead, and focus on results. Most KIPP schools run from 7.30am to 5pm on weekdays and 8.30am to 1.30pm on alternate Saturdays, so that teachers have a lot more teaching time than in normal schools.
   
   KIPP schools use highly engaging teaching methods designed to bring out the best in each student, and they achieve outstanding academic results. The book is well worth reading for any parent or teacher interested in educational techniques, or any communicator interested in holding the attention of an audience, but prospective readers should be aware that the story is told in a warts-and-all manner including occasional coarse language.



3. This book is exciting and inspirational, as well as wonderfully well-written and entertaining. While the subject matter (improving education) is serious, I smiled or laughed aloud many times. The author is expert at imparting information in a way that makes it delightful to read.



4. To their credit, no one in the KIPP story, neither the writer of this book, nor the teachers themselves, claims that the KIPP program is a panacea for all the ills of education among disadvantaged students. Nonetheless, I imagine that many of this book's readers are teachers like myself who continue to look for ideas and strategies proven successful in schools, especially among struggling students. I opened this book hoping that I might encounter an idea to apply in my own classroom or to bring up as an option for my school administrators as they look for ways to improve. This is not that kind of book.
   
   Halfway through Work Hard, Be Nice, I realized that the heart of the KIPP method--extended teaching hours, Saturday school, summer school, evenings spent with students' families and a cell phone at hand to ensure that students can reach the teacher for homework help--was a recipe for teacher burn out. No one should be surprised by KIPP's success; these students get nearly twice as much attention as most students do. Unfortunately, KIPP's success seems to be built upon the backs of young, energetic teachers who do not yet have families and who do not seem to have a personal need for down time. For those of us who are committed to teaching as a lifetime profession, the book simply underlines what we already know: there are no short cuts, and there is never enough time to do all that we would like to for our students.
   
   Five years into my career, I knew that I had to adopt some limits to the time I would give my students. If I didn't, I would end up leaving a career I loved. I began to limit my workday to eleven hours. That gave me one additional hour of prep and assessment time for each hour I spent with students. I limited my weekend work time to five hours or one set of essays; I would answer email and phone calls during my workday, but not once I was home with my family. Largely because I learned the limits of what I could do, I stayed with the profession and will begin my twenty-fourth year of teaching this fall. And I still love it.
   
   I applaud the idea of doubling up the time we give our students, but to do so, we need two teachers in every class room.



5. Work Hard, Be Nice, by Jay Mathews, is an exciting and inspiring story of two inner-city teachers who decided to do whatever it took to make sure their students received a good education. The book traces Dave Levin and Mike Feinberg from their early days as teachers in the 1990s to the establishment of the KIPP foundation and the formation of dozens of successful charter schools based on the lessons learned through their experiences. (KIPP is an acronym for Knowledge Is Power Program.)
   
   Though the author obviously admires his subjects, he has not written a pandering hagiography complete with shining halos. Levin and Feinberg are depicted as real human beings whose greatest strengths double as areas of weakness. They make enemies and at times even alienate their friends. We learn about the times when they lost their tempers and did things they later regretted.
   
   For me, finding out about their "dark sides" only served to confirm the reality of their success as teachers. This story would not have been believable without some bumpy spots in the road. As a teacher, I have learned that any time you strive to achieve high-powered results with your students, you are going to have some people upset with you for one reason or another. You are also going to have times when you are stretched beyond your limit. If you are willing to compromise and settle for less, it is much easier for everyone to be in harmony and everything to run smoothly--but Excellence is demanding.
   
   I was impressed by the possibilities that open up when schools are able to establish and actually enforce expectations and consequences. Most schools articulate a desire for students to achieve, but are willing to compromise those goals when people complain. For example, many KIPP schools have uniforms, but at least where I teach in California, public schools must grant waivers to parents who don't want to have their students wear uniforms, which defeats the whole purpose. Even "dress codes" become subject to debate by parents who don't want the school deciding what is appropriate attire for an educational setting. When the office has to call home because of a student's misbehavior, they often have to argue with the parent about whether or not a punishment is warranted.
   
   I believe that part of KIPP's success springs from the structure created by the program and the clear expectations that are followed up with clear and consistent consequences. KIPP takes the long view with students, considering how the lessons of today will mold them into young adults. KIPP teachers know it is better to deny a student a field trip to Washington DC in order to teach a life lesson than to feel bad about how disappointed they will be when staying behind.
   
   Through the course of the book, it becomes apparent that the KIPP way isn't for everyone. These teachers were consumed by their work and invested much of themselves in their students in order to get these kinds of results. As young men without families, they were able to devote themselves completely to their students. Teaching was not just a job, but a calling for these men. Levin and Feinberg demonstrate that it is possible to achieve great things with low achieving students, but that it requires massive amounts of time, energy, and focus.
   
   This book is required reading for anyone interested in our education system. Even if you are a traditional public school teacher (as I am), it is inspiring to read about these men who were so determined to see their students succeed. Their commitment to excellence motivates me to be a better teacher. Though you may not agree with everything that Levin and Feinberg have done, you will be forced to admit that they have transformed the lives of thousands of young people over the past decade--and you will surely be hearing more about the alumni of KIPP as they distinguish themselves over the next decade.

5 comments about 'Tis: A Memoir.

1. I had Frank McCourt's memoir, Angela's Ashes, on my bookshelf for months before I read it. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased the next two books he wrote, Tis, and Teacher Man. I just finished Tis and was so sorry when I finished the last chapter and wanted to read it again. Part of this stems from being a historian and Irish, I am sure; reading about an Irish man in the 1940's and 50's put my own parents lives in a different perspective for me. I would greatly recommend this book!



2. I wanted to love "Tis" after devouring "Angela's Ashes", but it just feels like this book was rushed off to the printers too quickly. Editors were counting on readers being piqued by McCourt's suffering and ignoring the lack of flow in the writing.
   
   "Tis" contains some great vingettes about McCourt's life as a new immigrant in New York City in the early 1950s, but there is no cohesive vision as to how the story connects (if at all) to his early years in Ireland, or what period of his life McCourt is trying to span by writing this book. For instance, McCourt starts with an almost day-to-day existence early on when he arrives in New York, and then jumps around to his relationships, friendships, and birth of his daughter 10-12 years later, with his entry into teaching an almost negligible sidenote.
   
   I don't know if I lost interest, or if the writing was less focused, but the last 50 pages of "Tis" were a real drag when the whole book had so much promise. The writing of "Angela's Ashes" was too good to make Frank McCourt just a flash in the pan, but I just really wish an editor had looked at this manuscript critically without seeing dollar signs.



3. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Tis. I appreciated Frank McCourt's candor about his own shortcomings. He does not sugarcoat any of his experiences and his life was clearly difficult when he first arrived in New York City with no high school education. However, he never feels sorry for himself; there is a lightness and a sense of humour to his descriptions of hardship, much like in Angela Ashes. My one criticism is McCourt's habit of constantly repeating things that he wrote earlier in the book. While I understand that this is a stylistic theme, I think it should have been used much more sparingly. 'Tis is nowhere as good as Angela's Ashes, but it has its merits and is definitely worth reading.



4. I wasn't expecting anything. It's difficult to follow up on something as powerful as Angela's Ashes. But then again, he had the opportunity, so why not do it? Most authors will tell you how hard it is to follow up on a hit. It was still entertaining.



5. I really enjoyed "Angela's Ashes," and like this book even more. You basically could combine the two into one big book, as one is just a continuation of the other. Both are written in McCourt's unique style and both are a pleasure to read. I think "Tis" gets the extra star from me because, whereas "Angela's Ashes" really kept you feeling bad for the boy throughout, "Tis" is a story of hope and promise. Much happens to Frankie McCourt once he gets to the U.S. and the life he leads here keep you both interested and wondering just how he would be able to turn his fortunes for the better.
   
   This, as was "Angela's Ashes," is a very honest book. In no way does McCourt attempt to cover up his flaws or missteps. In no way does he try to paint himself a hero. You get the real deal here, and many times I found myself closely relating to what he was thinking at any given moment.
   
   I highly recommend this book.

5 comments about The Kids from Nowhere.

1. One of those books I am so glad I didn't miss.
   I can be a hard critic. I love a story that makes me feel richer for having read it, and I even admit I like a story that makes me feel good or is inspiring...but unfortunately I'm a realist that gags on the unrealistic sugar coating of most "inspiring" stories.
   No sugar coating and (mostly) no gagging here to ruin this remarkable story (maybe I thought about coughing once or twice...darn it, I can't get rid of that little cynic in my head!)
   Very human, achingly poignant at times, a window into another world and culture, full of relationships that make you laugh, cry, reflect, it offers even more than just the amazing "underdogs overcoming impossible obstacles and conquering" page-turner of a story.
   By coincidence, I was in the middle of reading Three Cups of Tea when I picked up this book (and never put it down) and was delighted to find at the end that the author and "The Kids from Nowhere" are donating the royalties from this book for the school building efforts of the author of Three Cups of Tea. Beautifully appropriate! These are two books that pair well together...and will certainly get you to thinking...what meaningful things am I doing with my life?



2. I could not put this book down! What a wonderful story of inspiration (and not just the kids.) George was able to capture the essence of a true Alaskan Native Village. I really felt like I was there at times. The passion is felt and the kids became real. I love when people take a chance thinking they are doing something for someone else and end up getting so much more in return. This is one of those stories that really has the power to inspire and light a fire in people. It speaks of the power of faith in what seems impossible, hope when it is all that is left, and most importantly love without end in the most selfless manner.



3. This is a terrific window on education and on expectations and beliefs of "outsiders", those who come to the North to teach and work. I couldn't help ut be amazed by the commitment of the author and his family to their new neighbors and to understanding the importance of customs and heritage. For anyone involved in the North and/or education, a delightful read!



4. This was the best book I have read in a long time. I could not put it down, eager to know what came next. As the parent of two twice-exceptional children, I was enthralled by the author's dedication to unlocking the educational complexity of his students. As the author of a book on educating children with autism, I was entertained by Gutheridge's sense of humor and perseverance. I would highly recommend this to every educator and parent committed to sharing a love of learning.



5. This very inspirational book captures village life in Alaska, the difficulties and outrageous problems of the school district, and the unquenchable human spirit of the Native children who are its subject. This is our choice for "best book we've read this year," and we are gifting it to several people for the holidays. The author makes good use of humor, interesting anecdotes, and victorious moments to offset the cold climate, difficult life styles, and his own times of depression and self-doubt. This book is hard to put down. The afterward sets forth the current situations of some of the main characters, which is a nice touch. Proceeds go to Greg Mortenson's "Three Cups of Tea" schools, which is the icing on the cake.

5 comments about Teacher Man: A Memoir.

1. He has a wonderful writing style which I admire, however I didn't like this particular book. He wrote very little about his students, and very little about his teaching life. Most of it was about his sad childhood and his extramarital affairs.



2. Not up to his earlier work
   TEACHER MAN continues McCourt's autobiographical journey started in Angela's Ashes: A Memoir. With this book McCourt's takes the reader through his thirty years as an educator in NYC public school system. His career starts out far less than promising, with unmotivated students being led by an ill-prepared teacher. McCourt honestly portrays his weaknesses as a young teacher; his lack of preparation accompanied by a crippling deficiency of self-esteem, do not add up to an effective teacher. Bouncing from job to job, running afoul of narrow-minded administrators, and an aborted pursuit of a doctorate back in Ireland provides the reader with some understanding of McCourt's life, but this book lacks the dark poetry McCourt has shown he's capable of. The episodic nature of the book is very disjointed, years pass with hardly a mention, and McCourt's joy as an educator only really arrives when he starts to teach students who actually thrive in an academic environment. Creative lessons do make an appearance and brighten up the book, but the overall effect pales in comparison to McCourt's earlier work.



3. Spoken by the author, this memoir provides a great glimpse into his character and wit. Mom loves it!



4. I was so touched by this one. I listened on CD, Frank himself read the book, it would not have been the same by any other person.
   
   I often wonder if he was too hard on himself. The idea of his students writing excuse notes from Adam to God, or Eve to God got their creative juices going. It also allowed them to hear other points of view on different topics.
   
   I hated doing the sentence thing, I would have understood better with his PEN idea. Just read the book. It goes quickly. I had the CD playing in my house while cleaning, in my car while commuting, it was fascinating.



5. Being a teacher myself, and having enjoyed McCourt's first book, I decided to pick up Teacher Man. I suppose there are a number of definitions or opinions of what constitutes an exceptional or effective teacher. Some would ask simply: "Did I learn what I was supposed to learn in this class?" If so, they would give the teacher a high grade. For example, a math teacher is supposed to make sure his students learn math and become proficient at it.
   
   This is what happened in some "classroom" movies such as Mr. Holland's Opus (music), Stand and Deliver (math), and Dead Poet's Society (literature). However the draw of these movies was that these teachers were able to take bored,angry, underachieving students and convince them of the value of learning. To some degree, they did this by 1)caring about the students and 2) convincing them the learning would pay off in some important ways.
   
   To Sir, With Love, Lean on Me, and Conroy's The Water is Wide may be a little more similar to McCourt's story in that the students learned some "non-intellectual" lessons about life as shared by the teacher directly or indirectly. So I think that McCourt's spat with the school officials was important. He saw a glimmer of potential that some of his life experiences could somehow help, enlighten, or motivate the students in this crazy business of life, and he fought the establishment to some degree to make teaching about the real stuff, the hard stuff of life. In that sense, I think we was successful to some extent and I do applaud him for caring enough to expose his life deeply to his students. My best teachers were ones who showed they cared about me but also knew how to teach. It takes both, and I believe McCourt tried to do both. Good book.

5 comments about The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci.

1. As I grow older, I worry sometimes about the aging 'muscle' in my head. I had noticed that Thomas Harris mentioned this book in the back of his novel Hannibal, so I ordered it; Not to be like the fictional Dr. Lecter, but rather to develop my memory and keep it honed.
   This is book about history, about discipline, about a passion. Spence knows his stuff, to be sure, but I find his style to be aggravating--the research is phenomnal and very much appreciated, but there are times when it interrupts the flow of the read. This is the only reason I give it four stars instead of five. Otherwise, it is a Five-star. I like the book immensely, and I am learning.



2. Not being interested in Christian missionary work in China, I had resisted reading this book for years. That was a terrible mistake and another example of how you can't judge a book by its cover or title. The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci is not so much a book about Matteo Ricci or missionaries as it is a look at the two continents of Europe and Asia in the late 1500's to 1610 (when Matteo Ricci died). It covers subjects such as crusades, plagues, theology, the arts, travel, China leading up to the fall of the Ming (1644), corruption, punishments, dress, the role of Buddhism in Chinese society, slavery, sodomy, food and so much more.
   
   Yes, it is a book for historians or those interested in historical times, especially the Inquisition and Christianity's outreach to foreign shores, but its breadth of topics is so unusual, and its treatment of these subjects through the eyes of one man who left his native Italy to travel to Rome, Portugal, Goa, and eventually China so detailed, that the rewards of reading this book were wholly unexpected and thus a wonderful surprise--like opening a tin to discover a jewel box.



3. This book had some wonderful nuggets about Ricci and China, but there were so many tangents and mind-numbing details that it was challenging to read. The main issue is that the book is thematic in nature rather than chronological. On one page Spence is talking in detail about China in 1582 and the next he's talking in detail about Portugal in 1567. He flips back and forth across the decades and the continents enough that it's very difficult to get a picture of Ricci's life. A lot of Spence's content seems pulled from history books on Europe, having little or nothing to do with either Ricci or China. If you want a random, panoramic view of life in the late 1500's this book is for you. If you're looking for a comprehensive, orderly look at Ricci or China or his memory system you may be disappointed. It's worth the read, but with appropriate expectations.



4. You can find a summary below with floors for chapters, http://olivierinshanghai.free.fr/npds/chinois/ricci.pdf



5. I wrote my BA of Humanities thesis on Matteo Ricci and found Spence's book valuable for its information but mildly frustrating. "Memory Palace" is an excellence source for facts about Ricci's life for those who are not fluent in multiple languages or do not have access to the research material that Spence does. I turned to Spence for his commentary on Ricci's various writings that I did not have access to and for various tidbits of facts. Furthermore, Spence does a good job of illustrating the world that Ricci lived and worked in. For example, I was enlightened on the relationship of the Jesuits to the Portuguese King and how the Portuguese port of Macao in China operated. It was good background information to supplement the primary text I was using.

   However, the frustrating part of this book is its organization. While it's an interesting idea to organize it according to the first four Chinese characters in his mnemonic system (or "memory palace"), it makes for a near meaningless train of thought; I ended up skimming the lengthy chapter on "water." I'm still disappointed by the end because Spence offers no real conclusion or summary, just an enigmatic statement. I had previously read Spence's "Death of Woman Wang" and I realize that it is Spence's style to amass historical information with unorthodox organization (I think it's his selling point). It's creative, but not very useful. Fortunately, the book has an excellent index, so it's fairly easy to re-find significant passages.

   For those that want to read an actual narrative of Ricci's mission, I highly recommend the English translation of Trigault's transcription of Ricci's mission journals; this was the primary text for my paper. I found it very interesting and suprisingly high in entertainment value, considering its origin.

   Trigault, Nicolas S. J. "China in the Sixteenth Century:
   The Journals of Mathew Ricci: 1583-1610."
   trans. Lous J. Gallagher, S.J. (New York: Random House, Inc. 1953).

   Also recommended for his examination of the religious issues involved with Ricci and the other Jesuits preaching Christianity in China is Jaques Gernet's "China and the Christian Impact." To sum up, it answers this question and more, "What happens when you try to insert the Christian God into the ancient writings of a sophisticated society?"

   Gernet, Jaques, "China and the Christian Impact." (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990).