Anyone who despairs of the individual’s power to change lives has to read the story of Greg Mortenson, a homeless mountaineer who, following a 1993 climb of Pakistan’s treacherous K2, was inspired by a chance encounter with impoverished mountain villagers and promised to build them a school. Over the next decade he built fifty-five schools—especially for girls—that offer a balanced education in one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on earth. As it chronicles Mortenson’s quest, which has brought him into conflict with both enraged Islamists and uncomprehending Americans, Three Cups of Tea combines adventure with a celebration of the humanitarian spirit.

Average Rating:


Review: 2009-11-21

Exemplary life of a modern hero or how respect and care open all doors
This is an account from 1993 to 2003 of Greg Mortenson an American climber that after failing to make the K-2 misses his path back and arrives to the small village of Korphe and how he fulfils the promise to the local leader to build a school in his village in Northern Pakistan. The story itself is vibrant and full of stumbling stones and shows how Mr Mortenson manages to go around all of them during a 3 year span and builds the school. He becomes so engaged by the first promise that ever since this has become his mission in life.

This story makes the book already worth reading. Mortenson is a rela hero not only succeding but also going endless strain to achieve it. Additionally it gives a very good insight in the lives and costumes of people in those remote areas of the world and shows their necessities as persons(decent schools, health systems, potable water).

The most interesting aspect probably is how the book breaks with many of the prejudices we might have on Muslims and the way they relate to other people. Greg Mortenson with respect and interest manages to get the support of religious leaders in the area that support his endeavours by educating children to improve the live of these impoverished areas. All this takes makes a very interesting turn when the war on Afghanistan starts after 9/11 and Mortenson experiences how locals see the West with suspicion but keep supporting his initiative.

Mortenson results showing that schools, especially for girls, will improve the life of the region breaking a circle of ignorance in the Karakoram; his actions and attitude are more enriching than the vast majority of motivation books.

The narration with many interviews and quotations of the main characters is lively, direct and touching keeping you tight to the book. The fact that the first thing that Mortenson does when he meets coauthor David Relin is handing out a list of dozens of people that he characterizes as his enemies underlines the credibility to this man and the story.



Review: 2009-11-20

Inspiring
This book tells a remarkable true story of one man's effort to accomplish something good in an area of the world where there is so much suffering from so many heart-breaking problems. His Central Asian Institute stays steadfast in its purpse: to build schools for the children in Afganistan and Pakistan. Greg Mortenson doesn't just talk it--he does it.


Review: 2009-11-20

Very inspiring!
I randomly bought this book to read on vacation and was hooked after the first few minutes! It is very inspiring and has opened my eyes. It has changed my thinking that most people think only about themselves and don't care about others. That is clearly not the case here. I am inspired to help in so many ways. I'm so glad I found this book.


Review: 2009-11-20

A Model for Peace
I wish I could afford to send a copy of this book to every person in our government who deals with Middle Eastern affairs, especially those involved in military decisions. This is required reading for everyone!

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