This is a wonderful story about Greg's untiring efforts to build schools in remote parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote girls education. Culturally this is very challenging work. The biggest challenge for Greg is not the lack of money, or sourcing the building materials or transporting it to remote villages in the Himalayas. The biggest challenge was working with the cultural values of the communities which hitherto had not prioritized eduction for girls. It was his respect, understanding, openness and humility which persuaded the community leaders to come around to his point of view. In this book he quotes Haji Ali, a Balti village leader talking about Greg's work with them. Haji Ali said, "The first cup of tea you share with us, you are a stranger, the second cup, you are a friend. But with the third cup, you are family - and for our families we are willing to do anything, even die."

Reflecting on this in his book, he said Haji Ali " . . underscores the paramount importance of taking time to build relationships, while simultaneously affirming the basic truth that in order to get things done in this part of the world, it is essential to listen with humility to what others have to say." This is an excellent read. Stones into Schools will make more sense if you also read Greg Mortensen's first book, Three Cups of Tea.

This is a riveting read. Ali is articulate, compelling, engaging and passionate. Once you start reading her work, it is hard to put it down. Her previous books are equally compelling.Ali offers a very different perspective on intercultural engagement from Greg Mortensen in his book Stones into Schools. Her view is that new migrants in America and Europe should be re-educated and assimilated into the host cultures. I find this problematic as history shows attempts to assimilate cultural groups do not work very well. Evidence shows that an approach that combines mutual respect, humility and open and honest communication is more likely to succeed. It is an approach that celebrates both diversity and cohesion, self-respect and mutual respect and individual world views and shared world views.