This was an interesting read but not exactly my cup of tea. My hat is off to those who sacrifice much to the help of others in need and I am also amazed at people that do crazy things like climb mountains. Greg does both. I would rather stay home and argue about the price of lumber in my own town, thank you. But it tells us a lot about a man in full when they do things like this. Thanks for giving me a virtual opportunity to do crazy things or live vicariously through you Greg!

I just have to disagree with reviewers who somehow got the impression that Greg Mortenson built his schools single-handedly or claimed that he did. One of the best features of the book, for me, was how much credit he gave to the local people, and how much he leaned on them, which I think he knew was the key to truly helping them. Give a man a fish and all that.

Also I didn't find that the authors claimed to be "fighting terrorism" (and even mention in the end that they fought hard to pull "terrorism" out of the subtitle) for which some reviewers criticized them. I got the impression the goal was just to help some folks, and it spiraled from there.

Great book!

I can't believe one man has accomplished so much. He is inspiring to all of us.

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is a book that everyone should read because while terrorism flourishes and we justifiably but unwisely unleash tremendous firepower, we destroy the lives of countless innocents and create unimaginable suffering, hatred and dispair. This book has great relevance. It is powerfully inspiring and offers a kind of realism that has already demonstrated its capacity to make a difference.

This is the true (and ongoing) story of a mountain climber (Mortenson) who was lost on a glacier during a failed K2 attempt in 1993, 8 years before Islamic terrorist crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Confused from altitude sickness, exposure, and exhaustion, he stumbled into a remote Pakistani village where he was nursed back to health. This is where the story begins.

The rest is an account of his entirely gripping and largely successful struggles to build schools for Muslim girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He is currently educating more than 24,000 children in these regions. The people of the regions, various Muslim sects, desperately want schools. They see Mortonson's efforts as a helping hand offering to lift them into the future. This is not a religious or sectarian endeavor, but a humanitarian one that vividly and concretely demonstrates the power for good inherent in our capacity for non-ideological response to human need.

In Infidel--another book well worth reading--former Dutch parliamentarian Ayaan Hirsi Ali, recounts her life as an Muslim woman, how her associate, Theodore van Gough, was brutally murdered by an Islamic fundamentalist, and how she receives death threats because together she and van Gough made of video about Islam's devastating affect on the lives of women under its sway.

Mortenson holds that Islam is not the cause of terrorism, but lack of education--especially lack of education for girls--creates and perpetuates the conditions in which terrorist ideologies thrive. He ought to know. He has been creating peace and goodwill for years by building schools for Muslim girls.

Mortenson is also the person who identified and told congress and the Pentagon that the source of middle-eastern terrorism is the Islamic madrasah movement that is exporting Sunni Wahabism from Saudi Arabia throughout the Middle East. But he points out that not all madrasahs produce terrorists. However, those that do, produce a lot of them. They produced the Taliban.

The problems are complex; certainly not as simple as an equation between Islam and terrorism. But despite this complexity, Mortenson's solution is simple, direct, and effective. His work is proof that we can make a huge, positive difference by offering the no-strings-attached, non-ideological helping hand he offers.

Some reviewers have said that this book is not well written, and I must agree that it could have been better written. However, it is not badly written, and what it lacks in finesse it more than makes up for in the tale it tells, the enthusiasm with which it tells that tale, and the timely wisdom it offers.

This story could have been told more effectively in a magazine article. It is boring and poorly written. The overuse of adjectives is maddening. I could not finish it. The writer treats his readers as morons. It diminishes the accomplishments of Greg Mortensen. I have no idea how this book achieved best seller status. I would give it no stars if that was possible.

Every once in awhile a book comes along that you can't put down and stop talking about and this is one of those books. It is an amazing story in and of itself, but it is also well written. It will draw you in. You will laugh and you will cry. You will feel you personally know this man Greg and you will cheer for him along the way. This is a must read.

It took me a bit to get into this book but once I did I couldn't put it down! What an amazing man who has started a very promising movement towards peace in the middle east! A perfect example of if you believe in and want something enough you can make it happen!

One of the most moving books that I have read lately. I was unaware of its existence until a friend recommended it, saying that he hoped that President Elect Obama would read the book before promising to seek and kill Osama bin Laden by invading Pakistan. 'Though I had heard and seen news reports of the forbidden terrain in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan, this book brings home the true meaning of navigating the precipitous mountainous areas. David Relin's descriptive writing makes the book as a novel and matches only Greg Mortenson's couragenous in bringing hope to the peaceful children of those nations.
Thanks to Greg Mortenson, US Representative Mary Bono and others, there are peaceful projects being accomplished by the U.S. in those mysterious lands.

One of the most touching books I have read in a long time. It is just amazing how much we can do with a little bit of financial help to these NGO's like CIA. I have decided to become a regular contributor of these noble cause, just because of this book. You have to read it, you will never regret you did.

What an inspiring book! This is a great read about what one person can do with a vision and very little resources. His tenacity is incredible. Hooray for Greg Mortenson!

The story itself was quite amazing but I found it difficult to read at times. I think it could have been much shorter... I could not keep all of the people straight about halfway through the book. It must have been difficult to write this book with so many stories to tell but it bordered on boring and tedious at times. It would pick up for a while and then I'd be bleary-eyed again a few pages later.

I really liked the beginning of the story and felt connected to his mission and promise but then I started to think he was a bit off (good intentions surely) with his devotion and passion for these people at the expense of his own family. I also felt like he was a bit of a control-freak at times... Is there no one else who can accomplish this? Is he really the only one who can meet with so and so? Does he have to fly back to Pakistan or Afghanistan so quickly after the birth of his child... etc...etc.

I really enjoyed the cultural insights and appreciate Mortenson's perseverance to follow through with his promises. Kudos to his wife Tara Bishop for her perseverance as well. When they got married she sort of "signed up" for the building of the Korphe school but the endless promises to do more and more for people on the other side of the world while leaving his own family behind, would have sent many a wife packing.

One last thing that concerns me is that while the intentions are great, I can't help but wonder if the schools will be able to continue to be used for their original intent or if they will be taken over by extremist groups that will use them to promote their own hateful agendas.

BOTTOM LINE: THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY WORTH READING - IT GIVES ONE MUCH TO THINK ABOUT AND OPENS OUR EYES TO THE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO ARE HURT IN THE MIDST OF POLITICAL TURMOIL.

This is a tale about a remarkable man - unfortunately it is not very well written. Even tho the action takes place in different towns, it is basically the same story over and over. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in building schools for the poor in Pakistan and also as an aid to sleeplessness.

Sadly, I recommended this title for our book club to read. I went off all the rave reviews and thought it would be great. I really wanted to love it. But ended up closer to hating it. Here's a few thoughts on why I don't like this book or the story that's boringly told in it:

- Greg Mortenson is made out to be some kind of hero in this book. In my opinion he is not at all. The only "hero" here if there is one would be Dr. Jean Hoerni, who donated over a million dollars to build all the schools. Greg is a man who loved climbing, the mountains, and traveling. He didn't like to settle down and commit to anything, so going back to Pakistan over and over fueled those passions.

- Reading this book I feel like Greg hates America. I don't understand why he kept coming back to sleep in the hallway floor and struggle so much. Why didn't he stay living in Pakistan, where he seemed to like it so much better?

- He cared/cares more about those people in Pakistan than he does his own family. He spends months on end with those children, all the while abandoning his own. He leaves his wife and kids alone to make other people's lives "better" while not giving of himself to his family, that really matter. They ask nothing in return, while the Pakistani's prove greedy in asking for more, more, more. How good of a father and husband is he to his family considering he's gone for months on end and to top it off half the time doesn't haven the decency to even call to keep in touch.

- Throughout the book he badmouths rich people, yet his very existence of what he is doing relies upon them. He is literally biting the hand that feeds him.

- He was SO irresponsible with the money! Case in point: Hoerni left a million dollars for the foundation. Each school costs $12,000 to build. At one point in the book he had built 22 schools and they said he was financially struggling and down to $100k! The numbers don't add up. What was he doing with all the money? Case in point number two: Jean Hoerni's wife left the foundation board because she felt he was so irresponsible. That said A LOT because it was her husband's money. She saw what I see and what so many other people who give this book five star reviews don't see! He wanted to be on "Greg time" and not account for his time. That's because he was probably off spending foundation money on traveling! He was irresponsible.

- Another waste of money is one point when one of his library assistants hops a plane to drive with him to a destination in Pakistan. Huh? How much was that? I can't see that was needed. Someone wanted to take a trip!

- It took three years to build the first school (and almost that long to read the first half of the book it's so drawn out and boring). Three years? Give me a break! I'm not buying it. There's no way it takes three years to build a five-room school house - even in Pakistan!

- His belief that you build schools to end terrorism is faulty. Unless you can control what is being taught behind those walls it does not tackle the problem. Hate and terrorism could be taught in there, just because they have a building doesn't mean they are teaching love and respect. Plus, it's bribery if you ask me. Back in grade school do you remember the big kid that would want your dessert to not pick on you or be your friend? Same concept. You don't buy off bullies so they like you - whether it's with cookies or by building schools.

- He built more than schools, he build women's sewing centers (calling them vocational centers), places for men, etc. The Pakistani's took advantage of the kindness of building one school and then pestered for everything else they could think of. Why not? Here's an American, with an American attitude that they can solve everything with money. Greed!

- People do not need a school house to learn. This book makes it seem as though you put up a building and all problems are solved. Not true. You don't need a building to learn. You could meet indoors/outdoors each day somewhere, even alternating the place each day and still get a good education. The school does not make for an education. What teaches people are having people willing to provide an education and students willing to learn, the building is a secondary item that does not make or break an education. People were "schooled" long before there were school buildings. Plus, ever heard of homeschooling? Look up the statistics, those students actually score higher on standardized tests than those that went to a school building to learn.

- I got sick of the "especially for girls" part. Whenever they talk about building schools they like to say they build them for children, "especially for girls." Nonsense. He says that to play on people's heart strings and get them to open their wallets. It's gender bias as well. The schools were for all children. Don't play into the sales pitch designed to get wallets open faster by saying "especially for girls."

- Which brings me to my next point. He respects girls/women so much that on page 290 he makes a "run of the mill" Republican comment about Ms. Bono and how her looks have helped her along. What was that? Totally uncalled for and degrading.

- Is there nothing we could do in America to make it a better place? Why is it that when people want to help they always want to help other countries and not America? Just a thought...

- Guess what was at the end of the book? You got it - a plea for money! Of course, Greg needs to keep taking trips over to Pakistan. He probably plans to re-build their entire country and at our expense, the country he seems to not care for. Needless to say, he won't be getting a check from me. My only regret is having purchased the book, which will give him money.

So for all those reasons I get this book a big thumbs down. I really wanted to like it, but wound up not liking it at all. I think people have a follow the herd mentality giving it five star feedback. I can't see why so many people have rated it so highly. They probably haven't even read it or thought about it.

Sadly, I recommended this title for our book club to read. I went off all the rave reviews and thought it would be great. I really wanted to love it. But ended up closer to hating it. Here's a few thoughts on why I don't like this book or the story that's boringly told in it:

- Greg Mortenson is made out to be some kind of hero in this book. In my opinion he is not at all. The only "hero" here if there is one would be Jean Hoerni, who donated over a million dollars to build all the schools. Greg is a man who loved climbing, the mountains, and traveling. He didn't like to settle down and commit to anything, so going back to Pakistan over and over fueled those passions.

- Reading this book I feel like Greg hates America. I don't understand why he kept coming back to sleep in the hallway floor and struggle so much. Why didn't he stay living in Pakistan, where he seemed to like it so much better?

- He cared/cares more about those people in Pakistan than he does his own family. He spends months on end with those children, all the while abandoning his own. He leaves his wife and kids alone to make other people's lives "better" while not giving of himself to his family, that really matter. They ask nothing in return, while the Pakistani's prove greedy in asking for more, more, more. How good of a father and husband is he to his family considering he's gone for months on end and to top it off half the time doesn't haven the decency to even call to keep in touch.

- Throughout the book he badmouths rich people, yet his very existence of what he is doing relies upon them. He is literally biting the hand that feeds him.

- He was SO irresponsible with the money! Case in point: Hoerni left a million dollars for the foundation. Each school costs $12,000 to build. At one point in the book he had built 22 schools and they said he was financially struggling and down to $100k! The numbers don't add up. What was he doing with all the money? Case in point number two: Jean Hoerni's wife left the foundation board because she felt he was so irresponsible. That said A LOT because it was her husband's money. She saw what I see and what so many other people who give this book five star reviews don't see! He wanted to be on "Greg time" and not account for his time. That's because he was probably off spending foundation money on traveling! He was irresponsible.

- Another waste of money is one point when one of his library assistants hops a plane to drive with him to a destination in Pakistan. Huh? How much was that? I can't see that was needed. Someone wanted to take a trip!

- It took three years to build the first school (and almost that long to read the first half of the book it's so drawn out and boring). Three years? Give me a break! I'm not buying it. There's no way it takes three years to build a five-room school house - even in Pakistan!

- His belief that you build schools to end terrorism is faulty. Unless you can control what is being taught behind those walls it does not tackle the problem. Hate and terrorism could be taught in there, just because they have a building doesn't mean they are teaching love and respect. Plus, it's bribery if you ask me. Back in grade school do you remember the big kid that would want your desert to not pick on you or be your friend? Same concept. You don't buy off bullies so they like you - whether it's with cookies or by building schools.

- He built more than schools, he build women's sewing centers (calling them vocational centers), places for men, etc. The Pakistani's took advantage of the kindness of building one school and then pestered for everything else. Greed!

- People do not need a school house to learn. This book makes it seem as though you put up a building and all problems are solved. Not true. You don't need a building to learn. You could meet indoors/outdoors each day somewhere, even alternating the place each day and still get a good education. The school does not make for an education. What teaches people are having people willing to provide an education and students willing to learn, the building is a secondary item that does not make or break an education.

- I got sick of the "especially for girls" part. Whenever they talk about building schools they like to say they build them for children, "especially for girls." Nonsense. He says that to play on people's heart strings and get them to open their wallets. It's gender bias as well. The schools were for all children. Don't play into the sales pitch designed to get wallets open faster by saying "especially for girls."

- Which brings me to my next point. He respects girls/women so much that on page 290 he makes a "run of the mill" Republican comment about Ms. Bono and how her looks have helped her along. What was that? Totally uncalled for and degrading.

- Is there nothing we could do in America to make it a better place? Why is it that when people want to help they always want to help other countries and not America? Just a thought...

- Guess what was at the end of the book? You got it - a plea for money! Of course, Greg needs to keep taking trips over to Pakistan. He probably plans to re-build their entire country and at our expense, the country he seems to not care for. Needless to say, he won't be getting a check from me. My only regret is having purchased the book, which will give him money.

So for all those reasons I get this book a big thumbs down. I really wanted to like it, but wound up not liking it at all. I think people have a follow the herd mentality giving it five star feedback. I can't see why so many people have rated it so highly. They probably haven't even read it or thought about it.

After reading this book, I purchased 10 more and passed them to friends upon the condition that they pass it on as well. When considering bringing destruction in another country, it would be important to be able to look the citizens of that nation in the eye. This book may be the closest any of us come to doing that in Afghanistan. It is about compassion, respect for differences, autonomy, and ultimately a passion for learning innate in all children. It is a fascinating and necessary read. Mortensen's drive is contagious.

Truly one of the most inspirational books I have read in awhile.

The beginning of this book is a little slow, focusing on Greg Mortenson's climbing expeditions that eventually leads him to find the people of Korphe, and promising them a school. After coming back to the states and scrounging up funds from philanthropists, Mortenson goes back and builds many schools in various regions through Pakistan/Afghanistan/Waziristan. And the story of his determination and the struggles he goes through are extremely inspirational. There is no other words for it other than that. It is no wonder this book has been sitting at the top of the best sellers list for awhile. You will walk away feeling like any struggles you encounter can be overcome, the same way Dr. Greg overcame his.

Great book, highly recommended to anybody looking for something well-written and uplifiting.

If you spend your time like most of us do: going to work, buying stuff, going to lunch, buying more stuff, talking on the phone and not getting much of anything done of any real value, this book should be a giant wake up call. If you thought that one person couldn't do anything to change the mess the world is in today, this book will be a mind-blowing inspiration. We can, each one of us, in our own way change the world....if we just DO something to create a positive change

Greg Mortenson should win the Nobel Peace Prize

I just finished this beautiful book. I found this book to be inspiring and touching. Sometimes there is a feeling that just one person can't make a difference, that all the world's problems are just too great but Greg Mortensen challenges that idea. With just a small idea that grew into a huge project that has helped so many, Greg has inspired so many. I love also that he doesn't just show all the positive aspects of his projects but shares realistic accounts of his failures and achievements. He is not someone whom he thought could be doing this but the path just kept unfolding in front of him. Also, the photographs in the book really bring humanity to the story. I found myself choked up while reading this book sometimes. I wonder if sometime we may hear this man's name again when it comes time to award the Nobel Peace Prize. I hope so because I know he will use the prize money well.

This book changed so many of my views on the middle east.

Greg Morrenson should win the Nobel Peace Prize for his work.

Inspirational, moving, beautiful. This book will make you think about what you are doing in your life and what more you COULD be doing. Did you know that if you order the book through [...] Amazon will donate 7% to the charity? I wish I'd known that before I purchased my copy directly through Amazon.

What I learned from "Three Cups of Tea" was very simple: if you want to help win the war on al Qaeda, contribute as much as you can to the Central Asia Institute (https://www.ikat.org/). The key to any counter-insurgency is to gain the support of the people (see http://alglobus.net/politics/FieldManual.html) and nobody is doing more of that with less than Greg Mortenson's organization.

I am one of those lone voices that quietly has to say this book did nothing for me. My friend up the street said I wouldn't be able to put it down, but I did.

The first three pages were excellent and I had great hope of a great read, but alas Mortenson grows long winded and wearisome. His details are not interesting, though they could have been given the fascinating place he was in, but instead he is boring and pedantic.

Oh, how I wish Greg Mortenson had written this book! I am full of admiration for Greg's strength of character and his tremendous achievements. Three Cups of Tea, written by a journalist, does not do justice to the subject matter; littered with names and places, the essence evaporates, leaving a meagre illumination.

this book is quite remarkable. great insights into a path to effectiveness in a troubled world

This well written book is both exciting and inspiring. What a wonderful story illustrating what one person can accomplish. One person can change the world. I highly recommend this book.

This book is excellent. I just bought 5 copies to give them as a Christmas present to 5 special friends. Sometimes it is hard to believe there is someone as brave, as humble and as persistent as Greg. He is a model to follow. This book rekindle the flame to continue working towards children education and being another drop in the ocean!!!!!

The authors of this book were able to tell Greg Mortenson's story, which is amazingly inspirational. At the same time, the reader can learn things about reality in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Wonderful read. Moving story set in our time. Page turner. The story moved along pretty fast, it was a nice pace for the book. I would recommend this book to anyone. Have already passed my copy along to my fellow readers.

The fact that Arafat received a Nobel Peace prize and Mortenson hasn't is just disgusting.

One of the finest books I have read in many years. Truly an inspiration. I have pre-ordered the childrens book by Greg so that my three year old and 18 month old can see that one person CAN make a difference in this world. I applaud the author for his contribution to mankind above all else, regardless of barriers. If only there were more people out there like him.

As a substitute teacher I see many students. My goal this year is to challenge them by asking what they plan to do today to make this a better place (school, home, while with friends, etc.) I have used this book to encourage them knowing that if this one man has been able to do so much, each of us can make a difference too. What a great story and it's all true. Greg Mortenson is a powerful reminder that we should make the world a better place and a great motivation to see that we can. Thanks to all who continue to do more than they ever thought they could. I feel a real connection to this story since I grew up in Montana and my son-in-law is from near Peshawar.

Three Cups of Tea is very heart warming, informative and enlightening. The book traces the mission of Greg Mortenson to help educate the children of remote Pakistan and later Afghanistan.

This should be a lesson for our government on what works and what does not work. Mortenson started as a one man movement to bring education to some of the most remote and poverty stricken areas of the world.

This story reveals how we can win the hearts and minds of people who most of us view as the enemy. Reading Mortenson's story you come to understand how the Taliban or for that matter any radical group can control the minds of these desperate people. Reading this book will allow you to understand how most of our efforts are wasted.

The only solution is one like Greg Mortenson has so successfully carried out.

The book is long, over 330 pages and at times it can be a bit tedious reading because many of the characters names and places are so foreign us. But it is well worth reading.

Once you have read this book you will fully understand why our current efforts meet with so much resistance. Only by working with the people, allowing them to take an active part in their own projects and take ownership of the schools will they support the effort. Education is the answer. But we must lend a hand not do it for them. And we must allow the people to maintain and develop their own way of life. We cannot impose our way of life on others and expect them to blindly accept.

This book will change the way you look at that area of the world. You will come to realize why we are failing there and what we need to do to bring peace to the area. It will not happen overnight - but as Greg has learned - by one school at a time.

My book club and I are reading this book and I was so excited, but ultimately disappointed. This story has the potential to be an amazing one and, indeed, the drive and purpose behind all that Mr. Mortenson does are truly awesome. Unfortunately, the writing is dull and boring. It alternates between reading like a textbook and a chronicle of events. I am sorry that the writer was a journalist instead of a memoirist because Greg's story deserves the latter. The former relegates it to an unemotional tale that does little to ignite a passion within the reader. Disappointing. ;-(

Indeed one of the best books I have read in 20 years. Profoundly moving and inspiring. I am buying 5 copies to give to my family members for Christmas!

I read this book for a Seniors Book Club. We were all pretty unanimous in our responses to this book. It was more captivating and inspiring than we had expected. We would all highly recommend it.

The book arrived in great condition. I sent and email to the seller and asked about the book. She responded quickly and answered my question. The book was a very good read. Thank You!

Greg Mortenson started off with a specific vision to help a small community of people in the Himalayan mountain range near K-2. I don't think he ever imagined the impact he would have on two countries in the Middle East (Pakistan and Afghanistan) , one country in the west (the United States) and me! The message I got from this wonderfully written book, Three Cups of Tea, is that we make a difference in ways we never thought possible.

My copy of the book looks quite worn and loved. The pages are dog-eared, the binding splintered but its look tells the story of a reader who has read passages again and again, mining the gems from Mortenson's reflections.

Some themes run strongly in one's life - helping others and wanting to make a difference happen to be one of mine. Three Cups of Tea reignited this theme in a way that reminded me of another loved book, Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment The authors, Ariel and Shya Kane continue to inspire my passion for life. My belief that we all can make a difference comes from reading many of their works, How to Create a Magical Relationship and Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life Inspiration lies in all four of these books - catch some of it for yourself!

One Lockhead Martin Hellfire missile, the kind that is frequently launched from CIA drones on suspected Al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan costs $68,000. Mr. Mortenson and his charity organization, the CAI has been building schools in Pakistan at an average cost of $12,000 per school. The cost of a single Hellfire missile designed to kill en masse roughly equals the construction cost of five schools that touches lives for generations.

Firing missiles to destroy the enemy, and building schools to win the hearts and minds of future generations of potential enemies should both be viewed as investments for peace and stability, which are essential for prosperity in the U.S. and around the world. If we take the funds used for waging wars and building schools, bridges, hospitals etc. and let a savvy investor such as Warren Buffet decide how to allocate these funds for a maximum return on investment, which we defined as peace and stability, it becomes clear how misguided and unbalanced our policies in that region of the world are. Patience and foresight are necessary for long term investments such as building schools and fostering relationships with people not like us. Incidentally, these two virtues - patience and foresight -- have made Mr. Buffet one of the richest people in the world.

General Bashir Baz told Mr. Mortenson America's enemy is ignorance. "The only way to defeat it is to build relationships with these people, to draw them into the modern world with education and business."

In 1993, following a failed attempt at climbing K2, Mountaineer Greg Mortenson recuperated in a remote hospitable village in the northwest area of Pakistan called Korphe. Living conditions in Korphe were dire. One out of three infants died before their first birthday. Touched by the hospitality of the locals, and by the death of his younger sister at age 23, Mr. Mortenson promised the seemingly impossible to the village "nurmadhar", Haj Ali, who later became his mentor: "I'm going to build you a school". Fifty five schools and a couple of failed fatwas later, Dr. Greg, as he is known to the locals, continues to counteract the collateral damage U.S. bombs inflict on the inhabitants.

Visit threecupsoftea dot com to see how you can help make the world a safer place. It only takes $1 to educate a Pakistani child for a month.

"If we try to resolve terrorism with military might and nothing else, then we will be no safer than we were before 9/11. If we truly want a legacy of peace for our children, we need to understand that this is a wear that will ultimately be won with books, not with bombs. - Greg Mortenson
I came to understand the meaning of this line fully through reading this book. All Americans should read this book, rather than blindly going about our lives while our government is tearing apart nations.
I look forward to the day when Greg Mortenson wins the Nobel Peace Prize. It is truly inspirational how one person can change the world.

This is an uplifting, real-life story of one individual trying so hard to make this world a better place through education. Although his challenges seem unsurmountable (truly), Greg Mortenson succeeds. His humanitarian campaign is inspirational and humbling. The kind of story I had a hard time putting down and couldn't wait to get back to reading.
I have never written a book review, but this story is so remarkable, I will do all I can to contribute to its cause.

A fantastic book about a "good" man that makes a real difference. The book captures what is so right and so wrong about the US approach to the world,Greg is alamost a modern equivalent of some of the characters in the classic book "The Ugly American". The "ugly american" educated us all about the right and wrong way of doing things ,yet the US still makes the same mistakes but thankfully still has the few that try and undo the damage and make a real difference to real peoples lives. recomended reading

I didn't know much about this book when I picked it up off of the shelf in rush. Only when I opened the pages did I learn that it is about a wonderful man giving aid to those who truly need it in Pakistan. Truly, if you spend any time at all in that great country you will learn to love it as I do. I visited Karachi in 2003 and it made one of the greatest impacts on my life that I think I will ever have. In 2005 I was in UAE and tried desperately to get a Humanitarian mission back to Pakistan in the wake of the awful earthquake that had just happened. I often wondered how my friends I met there were doing; especially Apu and his dear brother who was my tailor while I was there. I never knew how to help my friends there. Then I read this book and discovered that there was someone else out there who loved these hospitable and loving people so much more than I ever thought possible. Greg Mortenson is now a hero I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life. It only got better with every page that I read as I wondered how he could possibly fit any more giving into the pages. It made it even sweeter when I discovered how he loved Mother Theresa as she is my other hero along with my husband and mother; of course. I know that he has made a great positive impact on the world with his presence and I feel blessed to have had a small part in it by reading Three Cups of Tea. I have recommended it to several people I know though I don't know how well it has been accepted with it's supposed, "Anti-American rhetoric." But with some people all you have to do is say the word peace and you must not be a patriot which you can see with Greg is not the case at all. I wish Greg Luck and hope that his mission of peace comes to fruition. Thank you so much for tending to the people of Pakistan. This book gave me comfort in knowing you are there.

I gave this book five stars but if I could have I would have given it 100. It is the best book I have read in years and that is saying a lot since I always have my nose into one book or another.

Sincerely,

Rachel

11/5/08 The 1st Black American President is elected showing that if you believe something can be done and ask for help to get it done and surround yourself with people who complement you, it will be done, if it is suppose to be done...200,000+ supporters in Grant Park Chicago to applaude Mr. Obama and not ONE arrest...I believe peace is in our future...I was told a long time ago by a Rabbi that the world will get better but it will probably get worse first...Is this the Turning Point...Peace will enhance every aspect of all our lives...We have one thing in common with everyone else in the world and that is our future...As Dr. Greg did, he believed, asked for help and help came in all shapes and forms and he continues to succeed in believing that education can create peace.......God Bless You Mr. Obama and Dr. Greg and your families...
If someone would like to read this book and can't afford to buy it I will send it to you...emtprn1@msn.com

My reading of the Koran a year ago did not diminish my fear of and prejudice against Islam. But this book showed me countless examples of peaceful and loving Muslims and in doing do built for me a very believable bridge to a more trusting and hopeful view. For this reason alone, I count the time reading Three Cups of Tea well spent.

I agree with the many reviewers who wrote that the book is overwritten. (My own personal grudge is the writer's use of the word "snuck.") But I strongly disagree with several rather narrow criticisms of Mortenson himself. True, "Dr. Greg" is not like most of us; but, good lord, give the man credit for outstanding achievement in the face of incredible odds.

Personal eccentricity is often found in men and women who achieve great things: Ghandi, Jesus, Siddartha, Moses, Lincoln. Give the guy a break!

Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, was a journey to read. This book falls into the category of non-fiction, which is my favorite. Greg Mortenson is the head of the Central Asia Institute (CAI) and was born in Tanzania. Relin is an investigative journalist, and edits for Skiing magazine and Parade. Both authors truly believe that the best way to promote peace and stop terrorism is to educate children from leading such a life, rather than just using military force. After a failed attempt at K2, Mortenson was lost high in the Kakoram and stumbled upon the village of Korphe, an isolated mountain town where he was nursed back to health. One day during his stay, Greg asked to see the school and found it was just boys scratching multiplication tables in the dirt. Moved by the compassion of the tribesman, and appalled at the standard of education, Greg swore to the people of Korphe he would return to build them a school. Over the course of a decade, Greg spurs on one of the most effective humanitarian campaigns of our lifetime, building over 71 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg's theory on fighting terrorism with books not bombs is a tactic that is greatly overlooked by our military. It has actually brought good results, making it another option we should think about. Three cups of tea was a journey, as said before, to read. It more than once kept me awake. Mortenson has a way of changing peoples lives, and he does, in many ways. One criticism i have to the book is that Relin never talks about how Greg's Family deals with his absence. Relin states that they completely support him, "...so when she met Greg she knew what he was about and loved him unabashedly for it. His heart was in the tiny Baltistan village of Korphe."(Read Around the World), but i doubt that with the man of the house gone for the majority of the year in a hostile country, everybody's mind was at ease. Another criticism i have is that Relin ends the book before Mortenson's journey is over. I would have loved to know more about his conquests in Afghanistan, but the book stops it right as he meets his contact in Afghanistan and starts to think about the school about to be built. "now we must make their sacrifices worthwhile. Kahn said turning to face Mortenson. We must turn these stones into schools." The information n the book is all accurate, although Relin does make things seem a bit melodramatic at times. I thoroughly recommend this book to anybody who is in need of a touching and motivating experience that will not be forgotten any time soon.

This book really opened my eyes to what one person can do to help the world. Greg was doing his own thing when his heart got in the way, he fell in love with a culture, made a promise that turned out almost impossible to keep but he kept it and years later is still keeping it. What an exciting and fulfilling life he leads by doing what any one of us could do but don't. This book was my stocking stuffer for 30 people last Christmas - they all loved it as well!

Well written, held my interest through out. A very informative book. i WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.

I read this book from our Retirement Community Library. I was so impressed that I purchased 2 copies for family members. My son read it on the way to India on a business trip and now his wife is reading it.
It is amazing what one man can accomplish when he is motivated to help others. I expect the books I purchased will be passed on to my grandchildren to encourage them to make their lives count for the next generations.

A very inspirational and eye-opening book. It brings forth a lot of the complexities of aid work in Pakistan and Afghanistan and the effects of US policy and the war on terror on that part of the world. This is a hopeful story that shows how education and opportunities can transform minds and lives.

A very hard book to put down. A true human triumph written so beautifully. Just 2 days before the next chapter of American history is written as America finally gets ready to depart from its old worn out habits and turn in a new page in her own history, we can only hope that the new president and his administration will take a lesson in compassion and humility from the players in this book, such as illiterate Haji Ali, and make an attempt to understand the basics of the cultures in the region and set a new course for peace in these areas that matter to security of all the people and all Americans everywhere.

Greg and all his supports have made a monumental difference in lives of so many. It is so impressive to hear Jahan can dream so big. It is so inspiring that these girls can have a chance.