Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
Selected Book Details
- Paperback
- Author: Greg Mortenson; David Oliver Relin
- Publisher: Penguin Books
- Release Date: January 2007
- ISBN-10: 0143038257
- ISBN-13: 9780143038252
- List Price: $16.00
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Summaries and Customer Reviews provided by Amazon
SummaryThe 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. |
Customer Reviews
Both Inspirational and Long-winded
Rating: 
If you're reading this you probably already know what the book is about so I'm not going to even bother summarizing it.
Personally if found the book both inspirational and laughable at the same time.
That being said, I cannot give the book a bad rating for several reasons: namely because it's an important story especially at this time, when America is fashionable to hate and I believe that Mr. Mortenson's work is going to pay off in huge dividends in the future when it comes to that issue, and also since the story, once you get through the words, is facinating.
You cannot help but be inspired by Greg Mortenson's example of helping others by helping themselves. The book is important to anyone who tries to accomplish such feats because of the boneheaded mistakes Mr. Mortenson has made, due to his hard head and sometimes undisciplined ways, while trying to build schools as well as his foundation. If this book was meant to help others go through such extraordinary efforts why not tell us more of the mistakes, the outcomes and solutions. I think that the struggle and learning process to build a charity from scrap is almost as fascinating as building a school in a remote corner of the world.
Long-winded because the writing is so over-the-top, each sentence is so polished and cumbersome that it's actually a distraction from the important story which is being told. The verbose rambling also gives the impression that the story isn't told from the heart even though it is Mr. Mortenson's life work. Another reason is that each person on Mr. Mortenson's side is painted as a saintly citizen who has others welfare at the top of their daily agenda. This point has the unintended side effect of making the story almost unbelievable as a fairytale.
If Mr. Mortenson ever re-writes his life's story I'd be interested to hear about the dark times, the sarcastic dark humor we all use when in dangerous or grave situations to help us maintain our sanity.
I'd like to read the little anecdotes which make such stories of grandiose achievement more personal.
Inspiring
Rating:
I was inspired and moved deeply. Such a difference that 1 man can make. Great reading. Made me feel like doing something, anything... Greg Mortenson is really a special person.
too much information
Rating:
There is no doubt that Greg Mortenson is a remarkable man, and yes, he deserves to be awarded the Nobel peace prize. However, Relin's book gets bogged down in too much detail and becomes ponderous and difficult to read.
Inspiring Story.....Leaves you with a desire to contribute
Rating:
Anyone new to Greg and his work like I was about 2 days back, should definitely read this. A gripping book from the start to the end. I read it all in one and a half day.
I belong to the Indian Subcontinent and fortunately from the Indian side thus I have witnessed the scenes of poverty and lived away from it. Greg and his noble work really touches the root cause of the issue. He is seeking the real long term solution which should be implemented across the world. His approach of not only education but addressing sanitatory, medical and vocational needs really touches an individual. My personal belief is that humans everywhere thrive to be better in conditions and there are so less people/circumstances which show them that better way of life. All politicians/leaders from the subcontinent have always just used the poverty to live better and win elections/support. Greg's marvelous work is beyond doubt touching many lives and uplifting them to a stage which they never could have imagined ever. I really relished the strength education provided to a a muslim girl in a remote village to demand for her higher education.
Being an Indian and observing lot of growth in recent years, I always wondered why Pakistan with similar set of people is not making that progress in leaps and bounds. This book provides the answer. I literally never knew the state of pakistan as Greg and his co-author have described, with everything in disarray. I wonder if I am unable to corelate living just next door, how will anyone else in the world assess what pakistan is based on media reports. I really appreciate the fact that the book is a mandatory reading for many US army folks, hope it is also made mandatory for policy and strategy makers!
From a pure literary perspective, the initial part of the book is a bit slow and overall narrative could have been better. But as the plot thickens, you dont see the written word but the images it conjures. I dont consider myself a particularly emotional person but this book did leave me with an intense desire to be a part or do something to eradicate poverty/illiteracy.
The best part in the book I liked is that it has no pretensions. Maybe thats how Greg is, he looks at most fierce and hardcore islamists and talks to them openly stating his mission. Thats what I truly aprpeciate in the whole mission, that it is uplifting the society without a so-called hidden agenda! My first such a detailed review because I was driven to write it! People who think world can be a better place should read this book. Skeptics, you definitely should read it for changing your point of view!!
Ranks among the best
Rating:
I conclude that this is a great book. Everyone should read this to at least be aware of the people halfway around the globe that influence our national policies and why. Indeed bombs win the initial battle. Even if you do not care for doing what is right, what Mortenson strives for will win the war.
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