"Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder

[Y00rHighness]

I'm not sure Paul Farmer pushes his views onto others. I can remember two distinct instances in Mountains Beyond Mountains he says people should not model themselves after him. One is in the epilogue.

[cutewitch772]

@Y00rHighness I can't remember much now, because I haven't read the book in a while, but I do seem to recall that you're right; he seemed to be a little bit of a "do as I say, not as I do" kind of guy? Though, I do maintain that he is portrayed as being so passionate about his views that he doesn't understand why anyone else wouldn't hold them, also.

[loosootmaterotatop]

im sorry but this book was horrible i think i got through the first chapter and i put it down and never read it again.. thaks for the info tho it should help..lol

[cutewitch772]

@loosootmaterotatop If you only got through one chapter, you cannot say that the book is horrible. You didn't read it. You have to read an entire book to be able to fully assess whether you like it or not. And maybe you don't like it, and that's fine, but that doesn't mean it's bad, and you can't exactly say anything about something you didn't even read.

[Culipast]

You should also read Strength In What Remains by Tracy Kidder. I just started to read it from my sister's influence.

[Culipast]

You should also Strength In What Remains by Tracy Kidder. I just started to read it from my sister's influence.

[katydidmeow]

Great video! This was perfect support for the group discussion I have to do on this book for my AP Lang class. I love it. And everything you mentioned I agreed with because I thought the exact same things about those parts, like Kidder portraying Farmer as a complete tool at points yet he can kind of afford to act that way sometimes for everything he's done for the world.

[xjtbarnesx]

Not at all sure how I ended up here, but if you're getting into teaching I highly recommend another of Kidder's books, Among Schoolchildren. You'll love it!

That said, I haven't read MBM yet, but what I do like about Kidder's biographical work, as sort of you mentioned, is that he does well to leave the humanity in the characters he's writing about. Everyone's imperfect and a little fucked up, so I think it's important to leave those bits in. Books about perfect people are boring.

[dawance88]

I haven't read the book yet, but would you characterize Dr. Farmer's personality as an INTJ?

[cutewitch772]

@dawance88 I'd have to go back and look up which one that is, which I don't feel like doing, and even then I don't think I'd be able to place him. He's a complex individual. What we see of him through the book isn't all of who he is.

[cutewitch772]

@misscookieee When we read it, the year's theme was "complicity." For us, the main points were about how all of us are being complicit in the problems of the world by not doing what we can. To what extent are we complicit in the problems in Haiti? Anywhere? What SHOULD we do, if anything?

Also, we thought about Farmer himself. Is he a saint? At what point does selflessness become selfishness? What can we learn from a man like Paul Farmer? What do you think Farmer would want you to do? Anything?

[cutewitch772]

@misscookieee Haha, what do you need help with?

[johnwillglass]

the way that he goes a bout donating his pay like 125000 in chapter 4 ,, that he somewhat deserves to be a dick he is pasionate about what he does and you and the entire world should respect him

[johnwillglass]

farmer is a saint im reading this book right now for the university of Tennessee if i was given a six pack in a loony bin i would call him a fuckin saint too

[chuka65]

Hi,

I wanna discuss about book with you if you would like. Let me know if you can. Thanks

[FantasyFaeryT1]

Your hair looks so great!!! ^^

What a great story about the Buddhist man!

[sarathegriffin]

The Money Song from Avenue Q says When you help someone your really helping yourself. It's sad, but kind true. Nothing and no one is truely selfless, so it wouldn't have surprised me.

[GothiqueWitch]

Ahh, that's so cool! Buddhist man, Tracy Kidder - I'm totally going to read that book now, along with Three Cups of Tea!

[awhell666]

uhhh...I just finished The Exorcist; so you can imagine I'll be at the Library tomorrow looking for stuff...although I should finish "Elements of Style," but I can go trhough You Tube and find a critique. Thanks if you have any reading lists I can be your rat =* b.b. Anna )O(

[heidelbergerin]

Seriously, if you come to York... you totally have to come visit me... cos I'm like half an hour down the road!! York is totally amazing! So glad you're back and the book looks amazing! Will have to check it out! Thanks!

[cutewitch772]

Heck yes! If I get to go, we'll be stationed in York one week, Oxford the next, and London the third, with day trips out to nearby places all the time. And lots of the time I'll have free to travel around on my own/with friends from my group. The application isn't due until October, so I won't know for a while yet if I get to go. Cross your fingers for me!

[heidelbergerin]

Absolutely, fingers and toes crossed and thumbs pressed (it's a Germanism)... x

[wafflesmacduff]

You hit the nail on the head, Cara! Paul Farmer, while selflessly giving himself to the poor, seemed to be doing it was an interior selfish need to do something in the world. I suspected he wanted to be seen as a sort of martyr for the movement. Though I respected the guy, I didn't particularly like how much of an asshole he was. But, hey as you said, he gets a pass for all the work he does. Kidder is coming to my school in October sometime. I may go see him speak.

Was the Buddhist man bald? :)

[cutewitch772]

He had sideburns and a beard, and was at least balding on top. He was super tall, so I couldn't really tell. But yeah, there is MUCH to say about Paul Farmer and you should definitely see Kidder speak! I'm so excited for it, he's coming next week!

[saygesorrel]

Sounds like a good book! I will have to pick it up sometime. :) Glad you're back!! ♥