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Greg Mortenson

David Oliver Relin

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace - One School at a Time Paperback – Illustrated, January 30, 2007

by Greg Mortenson (Author), David Oliver Relin (Author)

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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.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From Viking Press
In regards to the 60 Minutes episode that aired April 17, 2011: "Greg Mortenson’s work as a humanitarian in Afghanistan and Pakistan has provided tens of thousands of children with an education. 60 Minutes is a serious news organization and in the wake of their report, Viking plans to carefully review the materials with the author."

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.

Lexile Measure : 1220L
Item Weight : 12.3 ounces
Paperback : 349 pages
ISBN-10 : 9780143038252
ISBN-13 : 978-0143038252
Product Dimensions : 5.4 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches
Publisher : Penguin Books (January 30, 2007)
Language: : English
ASIN : 0143038257

Best Sellers Rank: #52,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4 in Non-Governmental Organization Policy
- #5 in Historical India & South Asia Biographies
- #8 in Pakistan History

Customer Reviews:
3,339 ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

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ejhogue

IT'S FAKE: DON'T BUY THIS BOOK

Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2015

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This guy has injected a ton of fiction into his story....Professor of English and top memoirist Mary Karr writes about him in "The Art of Memoir" in her chapter about scam artists. After discussing how James Frey set out to fool people, she writes, "So did Greg Mortenson, the skunk-posing-as-saint builder of Afghan schools in 'Three Cups of Tea.' He didn't hallucinate that he'd been kidnapped by Taliban when, in fact, he'd been hosted in some kind people's homes. He cooked up events to mold his public image into that of the noble, forgiving survivor of brutal treatment. Jon Krakauer's 'Three Cups of Deceit' details how Mortenson went on to drain massive sums from his charity for personal use, renting private jets for book-selling junkets and buying his own books at retail to stay on best-seller lists. He was forced by the Montana attorney general to repay $1,000,000 to settle these allegations."

83 people found this helpful

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new mum

Not trustworthy

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2020

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I started to read this book and was fascinated by the story and the details of how Mortenson overcame so many obstacles to make a difference in a remote area in Pakistan. As always, I complemented my reading by researching more about the region and the specific city it took place (Korphe).. I specifically wanted to see the bridge that the author helped building in Korphe.. Then I found out that Mortenson's account of his experience is just "based" on reality and didn't happened as he states in the book.. He is also accused of taking financial advantage of the NGO he put in place to help building schools in Pakistan and overestimating the number of schools he helped to build... As the book is not particularly well written and I was reading it for the story only, those facts completely put me off and I couldn't finish the book, as I couldn't trust what was true and what was false..

2 people found this helpful

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comunadia

In this way just distracts the public with nicely written story while getting more money from it publication

Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2015

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Entertainer one. But for many facts apparently is not accurate story and apparently lied a lot. In this way just distracts the public with nicely written story while getting more money from it publication. All the work may or may not be true. At least they should say is fiction.

18 people found this helpful

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General Pete

Wish we all had such courage

Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2009

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Normally I hate to gush about anything but if the rumors are true and the short list for the Nobel was down to our president and Greg Mortenson then with all due respect to our president Greg Mortenson got robbed. I'm sure some of this is spine and hype but suspect that most of it is true. It was very interesting to watch the evolution of a California climber looking for direction in life to a humanitarian who builds schools on the Pakistani border. Also addressed is the varying responses that Mortenson would get before the 9/11 attacks people would get a slightly bewildered look on their faces having no idea where Pakistan was after Mortenson would get hail mail assuring him that God would surely damn him to hell for helping the followers of Islam. Part of the credit for the effect of the narration defiantly goes to David Oliver Relin who gives the people talked about in the book 3 dimensions they are practically leaping off the page.

If half of the things in this book are true Mortenson has more courage in his little finger then I do in my whole body and while I respect his efforts and firmly believe he is fighting the "War on Terror" the way it needs to be fought might has unfortunately might always makes right. I know that sounds cynical and jaded but you should have talked to me about this issue before I read this book. Now I am encouraged having read it, if anyone can fight this uphill battle over the course of many years it is an ex-climber from California named Mortenson.

Overall-Simply put a book that every citizen of this country should read because the issues that this guy deals with on a daily basis affect all of our lives even in a roundabout way go into it with an open mind by the end of it you may not be a true believer but a dark situation will not look so dark after all.

4 people found this helpful

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Mrs Lee

A Man with a Vision and a Calling

Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2010

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This is an inspiring story. It shows what one man can accomplish with self-sacrifice, determination and humility. I had never heard of Greg Mortenson before reading this, and I think that is a shame. Our headlines should be shouting of deeds such as his instead of highlighting the hatred and bigotry of a few inflammatory individuals. This tells the story of how a man can be given a vision and a calling and what happens when he submits to it. He was called to build a school, and because of the type of man he is, he has built many schools and others have been pulled into the good work he is doing in impoverished areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. His vision was to help children, but it became a mission of peace.

This book has much enlightenment for those of us who have never personally met a Muslim individual. It gives insight into the problems and issues without sugar-coating anything. It shows how living to do good rather than speaking a lot of rhetoric can change lives and make a difference. I can't recommend this book enough. I am glad that it is becoming required reading. I hope the message grows and spreads and continues to make a difference as others catch the vision.

As far as the writing of the story goes, I found it difficult to put down. The descriptions of the lands and peoples are superb without being obvious. It is difficult to follow the timeline sometimes, but that doesn't interfere much with the tale. If you are interested in purchasing this work, go to [...] If you purchase it through that site, 7% of your purchase price will go towards buying books for girls schools in Central Asia.

3 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

laird

Good start but became increasingly hard to believe as I progressed.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2017

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Good start but it became increasingly hard to believe as I progressed. At two thirds of the way through I decided to research this wonderful but previously unheard of person. What a disappointment to find my suspicions were justified. It is sad because he probably did some good for the villagers he highlighted, why then did he have to appropriate more than his fair share and embellish is story to such a level. Have given up reading because it is so much false truth.

5 people found this helpful

Four Violets

Not all it seems, sadly

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2015

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After reading this story of how Greg Mortenson decided to initiate building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, after he was apparently helped by Pakistani villagers after a failed attempt on K2, I idly googled him to see whether his marriage had survived his long absences. Like philanthropist Mrs Jellyby in Dickens' Bleak House, he neglected his own family and was constantly flying off to Pakistan. I was shocked to discover that the credibility of the Central Asia Institute which administered the funds that had been donated for the schools, had challenged Mortenson's credibility both as to his financial practices and veracity. David Relin who co-wrote the book had subsequently committed suicide.

Perhaps the questions should have been asked: where are the teachers to come from for the schools, do the local villages really want them, and how much follow up took place to check that the funds were being used correctly?

One of the donors of the CAI removed his backing and wrote of his belief that Mortenson was not credible. It certainly left a bitter taste in the mouth that such an inspirational story which has been used as a study text in American schools, should be less praiseworthy than it seems. And yes, astonishingly, the marriage seems to have survived

3 people found this helpful

Whiterose

A Deeply Thought Provoking Book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2016

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This is a fascinating book which I can't put down. I am still reading it and have the follow on book 'Stones into Schools' to read afterwards. It is a hugely informative read about a culture so completely different from our own, and of how people manage to live useful and happy lives in an extremely challenging climate and will endure great hardships to help achieve the means to get their children an education. The author himself also suffers extreme depravation in his own life to gather enough funds together in order to help them achieve their dream of building a school house. The other side of the story about the incredible hardships and perils that climbers from the Western world face in the unforgiving Himalayas and the vital role the local population play in guiding them and keeping them safe makes this an unforgettable book in so many ways. It has an atmosphere that stays with you even when you are not actually reading, and I absolutely love it.

Sheepdog

Yes, he made mistakes, but...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2014

Verified Purchase

You may well know that Mortenson probably made some mistakes, "flew too close to the sun"...

And I think some things in the book need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

But it is still a fascinating insight into a world many of us will not get a chance to get close to. And an insight into things we need to understand. Don't forget that India and Pakistan both have nuclear weapons, and fallout is carried on the wind.

While Mortenson made mistakes, he also made some wonderful progress. Furthermore, I believe that he and his organization learned from the mistakes and came back stronger. And if he didn't, there are other organizations doing similar or related work, who haven't stumbled.

And the book will tell you a little of what needs to be done, and why.

And is a good read at the same time.

2 people found this helpful

M. Hillmann

Inspirational American's mission in Pakistan/Afghanistan

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2009

Verified Purchase

Is he a remarkable man defying the odds or an irresponsible nutcase?.

Adrian, a friend living and working in aidwork in Addis Ababa, recently reinforced my memories from when I worked in Ethiopia about the about the proliferation of NGO's ( non Governmental Organisations) - charities set up by Americans and Europeans - in Ethiopia and the intense distrust among Ethiopians and lack of coordination with national governmental programmes. Was Greg Mortenson going to be another energetic, well meaning person, funded by rich Americans, striving with generous intent to share their wealth with others but ultimately having little long term beneficial impact?

Very soon Greg stands apart from the architypical traveller turned aid worker. Whilst being nurtured back to health by the people of Korphe - a Balti village in the high Karakorum - after a climbing epic on K2, he not only learns the language of the Balti but also their way of life and Moslem religion. In Korphe, as in so many poor countries, education and schools are very high up the priorities of very poor people after they have gained food security. Greg promises his hosts to build a school in Korphe.

But my suspicions were raised when Greg returned to Pakistan after raising money with with great difficulty and self sacrifice in the US. On his return he found that the people of Korphe had not made the progress they promised him in preparing for the school and he threw a wobbler and got personally involved in building the school. Was this a touch of the neo-colonialist approach? Was that school as great a priority as made out?

However these doubts are soon dispelled. Greg clearly has the understanding, and the language (actually several languages) and attitude to gain the confidence of Pakistanis wherever he goes. He lives with them, he travels and prays and drinks copious cups of tea with them. The book brings Pakistan to life. But whilst defying the principles that I hold so dear in being able to run any kind of organisation, he provides the vision and the funds that unleashes a spate of school building, teaching and maintenance across a wide area of northern Pakistan and into Afghanistan.

Remarkable in itself. But when combined with an outbreak of war in the Kashmir between India and Pakistan, and even more ominously with 9/11 and the arrival of US forces in Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan it seems that the fairytale must end.

Greg ignores the personal danger - in fact he appears to go looking for trouble by travelling into some of the most notorious hotspots including Badakshan far north of Kabul in Afghanistan. He gets captured, imprisoned and has fatwahs declared against him. He is not deterred. His personal standing amongst the people and the more thoughtful mullahs overcomes the hotheads. The imminence of the danger almost seems to accelerate his drive to intensify and extend his operations.

Without ever holding itself out as a treatise on how to combat terrorism, the book provides a real inspiration of the positive way in which building schools and providing moderate Moslem education for both girls and boys is a far more effective way than brute force alone of dealing with the threat to western civilisation.

Written by a ghost writer - Greg is too driven to stop to write a book - the narrative can be accused of being disjointed. But it is a very rare biographical tale that is a non stop page turner.

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