Three Cups of Deceit: How Greg Mortenson, Humanitarian Hero, Lost His Way (Kindle Single) [Kindle Edition]

Jon Krakauer (Author)

Book Description

Greg Mortenson has built a global reputation as a selfless humanitarian and children’s crusader, and he’s been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He is also not what he appears to be. As acclaimed author Jon Krakauer discovered, Mortenson has not only fabricated substantial parts of his bestselling books Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools, but has also misused millions of dollars donated by unsuspecting admirers like Krakauer himself.

This is the tragic tale of good intentions gone very wrong.

100% of Jon Krakauer's proceeds from the sale of Three Cups of Deceit will be donated to the "Stop Girl Trafficking" project at the American Himalayan Foundation.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Greg Mortenson is the bestselling author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools, a tireless advocate for improved education in impoverished areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the founder of the Central Asia Institute (CAI), a non-profit that builds schools in these areas. He's also, according to Jon Krakauer, not all that he appears to be. Krakauer is himself a bestselling author (Into the Wild, Into Thin Air), with a well-deserved reputation for penetrating nonfiction. Motivated by his own humanitarian concerns, and having donated considerable sums to CAI, Krakauer now applies his investigative skills to the unmasking of what he calls the "image of Mortenson that has been created for public consumption… an artifact born of fantasy, audacity, and an apparently insatiable hunger for esteem." Did Mortenson discover the village that inspired his crusade while wandering lost down K2? Was he abducted and held for eight days by the Taliban? Has he built all the schools that he has claimed? Tempered by Krakauer's fairly giving CAI credit where it's due, Three Cups of Deceit mounts an extensive, passionate exploration into these questions. --Jason Kirk

Review

"Packed with interviews and anecdotes that undercut Mortenson's image as a cheerful do-gooder, Krakauer's account of good intentions gone horribly wrong is a stunning example of investigative journalism." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Krakauer forcefully claims that Mortenson improperly used his charity’s funds and failed to build all the schools he says he did.” –Chicago Tribune

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 590 KB
• Print Length: 75 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0307948765
• Publisher: Byliner; 1 edition (April 20, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004XHVOW4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,987 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Philanthropy & Charity
  • #3 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Philanthropy & Charity
  • #3 in Kindle Store > Kindle Singles > Reporting

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

336 of 358 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A very thorough essay, BUT... April 28, 2011

By jblyn

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

.....as meticulous as Jon Krakauer is in detailing where Greg Mortenson's account of his work in Afghanistan and Pakistan is shot full of holes, it's still best to read THREE CUPS OF DECEIT in tandem with Mortenson's own response to Krakauer's charges (which is in an interview with OUTSIDE magazine) and the response to Krakauer by Scott Darnsey, Mortenson's climbing partner back in the '90s when this all began (also in an interview with OUTSIDE). I suggest reading those as well NOT because they counteract the charge that Mortenson's story has problems---they don't really---but to have their perspective in addition to Krakauer's to then decide for yourself whether this was indeed a hustle by a shrewd con-man or a series of blunders made by a well-intentioned and dedicated man that ultimately undercut his achievements. I tend to be more convinced by Krakauer's reporting precisely because he does what Mortenson does not, namely SPECIFICALLY citing his sources. But even with the bloom off Mortenson's rose, I am not totally convinced that this was intended to be a hustle. Or, more accurately I suppose, I'd hate to have to come to that conclusion, though ultimately I may.

There is a cautionary moral to be drawn from all this, though: If you're going to go high-profile in promoting an agenda, you'd BETTER be prepared to be scrutinized and accountable for all that you do---especially when using other people's money.

540 of 600 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Depressing but Deeply Necessary Expose April 21, 2011

By Alex Berenson

Format:Kindle Edition

In February, I embedded with the 101st Airborne division in Kandahar province to research a novel. I wound up writing my own Kindle Single, "Lost in Kandahar," about the obstacles our soldiers faced in fighting the Taliban. One reviewer wrote that that the piece offered a very different perspective on Afghanistan than "Three Cups of Tea." Now, unfortunately, I understand why. In this thoroughly researched piece, Jon Krakauer exposes Greg Mortenson as a terrible charlatan.

According to dozens of people who spoke to Krakauer, most of whom are quoted by name, Mortenson lied about the origins of his school-building project, lied about the number of schools he's built, lied about how much time he spends in Afghanistan, lied about his financial relationship with his charity, lied about how much he pays himself, lied about his "kidnapping" in 1996, and even lied about the fact that schools are mainly in relatively peaceful parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. There are probably a few other lies I've forgotten. For his own ego and financial gain, Mortenson took advantage of the goodwill of donors in America and all over the world.

As Krakauer points out, we are so desperate for good news out of Afghanistan that we latched onto Mortenson's story despite some of its obvious flaws (the Taliban didn't really exist in Pakistan in 1996, for example). Mortenson's efforts to defend himself at this point are pathetic, and if he is smart - and wants to avoid a criminal indictment - he will come clean and then slink away, never to be seen or heard again. And hopefully, the rest of us will be a little wiser the next time a Pied Piper comes along promising to solve the world's ills -- for just a few bucks down!...

Lost in Kandahar (Kindle Single) Read more ›

251 of 279 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Hell hath no fury like Jon Krakauer scorned" April 24, 2011

By Chris Guillebeau

Format:Kindle Edition

The quote in the title comes from a journalist writing in the Seattle Times. It's important to note that Krakauer was a supporter of Mortenson's, and this report only came to be after numerous other private communication (all documented here) was ignored. Krakauer builds a damaging, fact-based case while still acknowledging the good work that Mortenson has done.

I wish it weren't so, but wishing something doesn't make it true. This report is well-documented, well-written, and sadly accurate.

325 of 364 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Are the "Three Cups of Tea" Half Empty or Half Full? May 14, 2011

By don perrault

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Are the "Three Cups of Tea" Half Empty or Half Full

First a disclosure: I am a long time donor to CAI. I also know Scott Darsney (Greg Mortenson's Climbing Partner on K2), we were both members of the Northeastern University Outing Club in the Late 80's.

It is obvious that Jon Krakauer would believe that the "Three Cups of Tea" are half empty if not completely empty. His book primary focuses on following three aspects the book " Three Cups of Tea", Greg Mortenson, and Greg Mortensons' organization the Central Asia Institute.

1. Inaccuracies of some of the stories in the book "Three cups of Tea"
2. Mismanagement of funds by Greg Mortenson though CAI
3. Reports of ghost schools that are have been built in Pakistan but not used.

I actually feel that the "Three Cups of Tea" are half full if not more. Although I am unhappy that many of the stories may have been distorted, either by Greg, David Relin or Viking Press, the most important part are the results of Greg's mission - Building Schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Jon spends the least amount of the book on the most important aspect of Greg's mission. Jon even states that tens of thousands of children (primary girls) have benefited from the dozens of schools that Greg has build. Jon only reports on a couple of ghost schools that are not used. Greg Mortenson has claimed to have built 170 schools. A few ghost schools out of 170 is a >90% success rate. Even a 50-60% success rate for any social development program carried out in one of the poorest regions with some of the lowest human rights records for women in the world would be a success.

Jon should have really focused on how well these schools are doing.... He should have spent a few months traveling in the region to visit a statistically significant number of the schools

In regards to the mismanagement of CAI funds. Is obvious that this is the area where the CAI needs to most improvement. I find Jon's reports the most distressing part of the saga. However Jon primarily focuses on the finacial report of 2009. What about the other 14 financial reports from 1996 to 2011? He really should have analyzed all of them to give an accurate financial overview of the CAI. Also it would have helped to compare the CAI's funding efficiency with a range of other similar non profit entities to see how they all compare.

In addition, Jon said he attempted to get a response from Greg on the allegations. Greg said he would, but only after he completed his surgical procedure. Why didn't Jon wait a few months? This would have added another level of validity to the book.

Finally, there are now reports starting to surface that there is some distortion of the facts by Jon Krakauer himself. Scott Darsney has already reported publicly that Jon has misused his own words. You can find an interview with Scott in the following link. Also, just to be clear. I haven't had personal discussions with Scott Darsney yet.
Search for the outside magazine for the article "" Scott Darsney Questions the Accuracy and Fairness of "Three Cups of Deceit" "". Amazon will not let me publish a link here.

outsideonline.com/adventure/travel-ga-scott-darsney-greg-mortenson-three-cups-of-deceit-response-sidwcmdev_155822.html

In conclusion, I am giving this book two stars because I think Jon could have provided a much more thorough analysis. Also, the Outsider interview with Scott Darsney raises questions to the accuracy of Jon's portrayal of the facts, such that I begin to question Jon's motives. On the otherside, I would like to see Greg provide an accurate assessment of the schools and use of funds. He should note the failures as well as the successes. Also, what can and will be done to improve the effectiveness of CAI

Review Update

Since Jon Krakauer didn't not allow Greg Mortenson to respond to the allegations. I am providing a voice for Greg here, by providing the following links to the CAI website. Here are some examples. Greg will began to pay for his own travel expenses beginning Jan 2011, Explanations on why some schools are not in use, why he needs to use chartered flights. All of these are fairly legitimate reasons, that Jon has ignored. All of this information is on the Central Asia Institute website. I have attempted to post the links here but Amazon strips out my web links. Note the use of (dot) in the links

1. Financials - Income Tax Filings

ikat.org/about-cai/financials

2. Greg Mortenson's Response to 60 minutes/ jon Krakauer's Questions and other allegations.

library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102268008687-139/Q&A_from_Spring_JOH_051011(dot)pdf

library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102268008687-139/Q%26A_from_Spring_JOH_051011(dot)pdf

ikat.org/wp-includes/documents/CAI4-25-11Release.pdf

ikat.org/wp-includes/documents/gmresponse.pdf Read more ›

More About the Author

Jon Krakauer grew up in Corvallis, Oregon, where his father introduced him to mountaineering as an 8-year-old. In 1999, upon presenting him with an Academy Award in Literature, the American Academy of Arts and Letters declared, "Krakauer combines the tenacity and courage of the finest tradition of investigative journalism with the stylish subtlety and profound insight of the born writer. His account of an ascent of Mount Everest has led to a general reevaluation of climbing and of the commercialization of what was once a romantic, solitary sport; while his account of the life and death of Christopher McCandless, who died of starvation after challenging the Alaskan wilderness, delves even more deeply and disturbingly into the fascination of nature and the devastating effects of its lure on a young and curious mind."

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#35 in Kindle eBooks > Biographies & Memoirs

#16 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs

#35 in Kindle eBooks > Biographies & Memoirs