Part 2: Chapters 7-8 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 7.

On October 8, 2005 just as classes were beginning at the Government Boys' Degree High School in the village of Patika, an earthquake hit that caused the roof of their building to collapse. All the students got out, but several teachers and other personnel were killed. Shaukat Ali Chaudry, an ex-Taliban member who taught at both the boys' school and the nearby Gundi Piran Higher Secondary School for Girls, saw to the safety of his children before taking in the destruction that leveled most of the village of Patika. Included in this destruction was the complete collapse of the Gundi Piran Girls School.

In Salt Lake City, Mortenson received word of the devastating earthquake and would spend many hours on the phone attempting to ascertain the safety of his employees, friends, and colleagues in the area. When all...