Trying Again...

My attempts at getting this blog off the ground last year were less than stellar, yet, I'm not ready to give it up.  The notion of online book groups is not unusual these days...in fact, they're fairly prevalent and popular.  So, let's begin again.

We could begin again (as we did last year) with the Freshmen common reading book,  The Last Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy and 82 Days That Inspired America, by Thurston Clarke.  If you haven't read it, I would encourage you to do so; it's really good book in my opinion.  Why?  I think there are several reasons, but primarily because it really made me think.  I like books that make me think, "What if?"  What if I had the "moral imagination" that could make a difference?  What would the exercise of my "moral imagination" look like?  Does everyone have a "moral imagination" but we just don't use it?  I also enjoy reading history and thought this was a pretty good example of a work of nonfiction that read like fiction.

Have you read The Last Campaign?  What did you like or not like about it?

Mortenson and Others Like Him

I was looking at the Penguin Reader's Guide again and they posted the following questions -- Have you ever known anyone like Mortenson? OR Have you ever had the experience of making a difference yourself through acts of generosity, aid, or leadership?  I can't think of anyone I know personally that has garnered attention like Mortenson, but I certainly know many "unsung heroes"...those that make a difference everyday through acts of generosity, aid, or leadership.  How about the folks across Anderson who volunteer in places like the Christian Center, a local Food Pantry, or Alternatives?  How about those serving on the mission field.  John Ackerman's work in Haiti comes to mind.  I'm a member of Rotary and our motto is "Service Above Self".  There are many other organizations, to which many of us belong, that make a difference.  


How would you answer these questions. 

Video Clip of Mortenson

You Tube Video of Mortenson


Mortenson adds a little insight in this video about his "three cups of tea philosophy"...take a look.

Welcome!

Welcome to Nick's Virtual Book Group...a virtual book discussion group hosted by the Robert A. Nicholson University Library at Anderson University.  Our inaugural blog discussion will be on the FYE common reading, Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson.  But, hey, you don't have to be a freshman to participate in this discussion...  Anyone can join in!  I'll start.  


I read in a discussion guide the following -- "At the heart of the book is a powerful but simple political message: we each as individuals have the power to change the world, one cup of tea at a time...What do you think of the "one cup of tea at a time" philosophy?  Do you think Mortenson's vision can work for lasting and meaningful change?"