Product Description

The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban's backyard. 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9 in eBooks
• Published on: 2007-03-22
• Released on: 2007-03-22
• Format: Kindle Book
• Number of items: 1

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships, this book will win many readers' hearts. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Bookmarks Magazine
While critics agree that Three Cups of Tea should be read for its inspirational value rather than for its literary merit, the book's central theme, derived from a Baltistan proverb, rings loud and clear. "The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger," a villager tells Greg Mortenson. "The second time, you are an honored guest. The third time you become family." An inspirational story of one man's efforts to address poverty, educate girls, and overcome cultural divides, Three Cups, which won the 2007 Kiriyama Prize for nonfiction, reveals the enormous obstacles inherent in becoming such "family." Despite the important message, critics quibbled over the awkward prose and some melodrama. After all, a story as dramatic and satisfying as this should tell itself.

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.

From AudioFile
Lost after failing to climb K2, Mortenson was sheltered and nursed in a remote Pakistani village; he promised to return and build them a school. Keeping that promise led to his heading a charitable institute that provides impoverished children in Pakistan and Afghanistan with an education. Though Relin's writing is not top-caliber, Mortenson's story comes through as exciting and inspiring. Patrick Lawlor's voice is neither melodious nor distinguished, but it is likable and serviceable. He tells the story as if Mortenson had told it to him, keeping it lively and engaging. His imitation of voices and accents, loosely rather than precisely mimetic, fits his style. It all works; listeners will begrudge interruptions. W.M. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

Boring Title, Great Book
When my mother gave me this book to read I was a little scared of what I might find inside. The name, "Three Cups of Tea" didn't sound very exciting. The cover, showing three young girls studying, didn't look very appealing. And the subtitle, "One Man's Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time," wasn't the most exciting thing in the world either. It looked like an Oprah book or a chick lit book.

Since my Mom recommended it, I read it...and thoroughly enjoyed "Three Cups of Tea."

The book is about Central Asia Institute director, Greg Mortenson, and how building schools in the highlands of Pakistan and Afghanistan became his passion. Still sounds like an Oprah book, doesn't it? Well it is much, much more. The reader gets the account of how Mortenson's failed attempt to climb K2 nearly led to his death and how that failure gave him the idea of building schools in remote regions of Asia.

The reader is also given a thoughtful look at what it was like for Americans who were in this part of Asia when the planes struck the World Trade Center in 2001. Mortenson's ideas on promoting peace through education seem somewhat idealistic at times, but the man's passion for this cause comes blazing through in every chapter.

"Three Cups of Tea" is an exciting adventure story as well as an inspirational story showing that one man can make a difference.

Required reading
gripping from start to finish. An important book for readers of all ages. A lesson in choosing the really important issues and having the guts to follow the righ path.

Amazing!
I would definitely vote this book as an award winner (it gets really good after the first half -- especially towards the last third of the book). Greg Mortenson definitely needs to win the Nobel Peace Prize! A definite must-read for our times.