I picked this up randomly from a bookshelf at the airport on the way out for a trip. I wasn't expecting much since I hadn't heard of the author or his exploits.

...I was completely wrong.

Mortenson shows himself to be a very human supporter of ideal principles and doing what is right to make the world a better place, even in place of immense setbacks, threats to his life, and personal challenges to his pocketbook and relationship. Through all this, he presents a likeable, actionable picture of what one man with a dedication to his mission can accomplish.

Without formal training or access to resources, Greg single-handedly has built dozens of schools for young people to improve their lives and make something more out of life. It's a prime example of the type of sentiment building, ally making, soft power that America needs to be using. Through small amounts of money and dedication, Mortenson has shown that he can stop radicalization, encourage others, and bring development to people with extreme challenges.

We could all learn from his example.

I had no idea what the book was about, I bought it during an unexpected stay somewhere.

The journey I have been taken on by the tale this book tells is so important, true, beautiful, and moving.

This book has changed my life. The power one person has to create change sometimes is easy to forget.

Now that the book is over, I have lost a friend. But, I have gained valuable insight in the fight one visonary hero and the team of supporters (from all around the world) has made and will continue to make.

This is an important read.

Of all the people I have had the pleasure to meet or read about, Greg Mortenson is the most heroic by far. This book is an incredible read but not near as incredible as what this man has done and continues to do. He's fighting terror and violence at its source by actually not fighting. Not threatening or pushing or forcing. Instead by listening, learning and then acting out of sincere compassion and understanding, not a hidden agenda. And thats why he is so credible. His risks are greater then I can imagine but he's sketched out a path to peace that seems far more effective then any governmental intervention. This story proves that even today incredible changes are possible just by starting with a sincere caring for other people. There's hope for us yet!

This is an excellent book...a true story of how one man has made the world a better place. If we used this as an international model in lieu of many of the policies we are following now, it would save thousands of lives and cost much less. I recommend this book for everyone.

This is an amazing, wonderfully written and very informative book that tells the incredible story of one of America's most heroic champions for peace. Please, do yourself a huge favor, but this book, buy a copy for your friends, your family, make an entire Christmas list full of copies! Help to spread this much needed message of peace through education as far and wide as possible.

I found it a little strange that Mortenson co-wrote a book that depicted him so heroically. I guess modesty isn't one of his virtues. Plus the book was poorly edited and could have been cut down by at least 100 pages.

Having said that, I think this is an important, eye-opening book. Anyone who thinks they understand what's going on in Pakistan today should take a look at Mortenson's experiences. They're truly inspirational.

This is one of the best books I have ever ready. It is interesting, uplifting and once you start reading it, its hard to put down. If we can have more people like Dr. Greg, the world will be a better place!

Wow! What an awesome and inspiring person. For so many of us, it is easier to sit back and watch rather than participate in a thing called life. Greg Mortenson inspires us to put all of our hopes, dreams, and passions into motion whatever they may be. It goes to show that when we put negativity aside and embrace love for all people, our world becomes a much better place. As far as the writing style of this book, it keeps you on your toes following parts of it, however entertained. Though it took some reading to get a feel for the writing style, I feel it was well written. Let's remember not to shoot the messenger, but to embrace the message of the book and understand that a little compassion goes a long way.

Amazing story!! Has elements of surprise, suspense,

sacrifice, love, unrequited love,honor, friendship and

very entertaining.

This is a great book about promoting peace through education. I highly recommend this book if you wish to be inspired about the caring and sacrificing one person can make.

This was an excellent book. My only criticism is that the story gets repetitive about his quest to build schools.

Wish we had more people like Greg Mortenson in this world. I also hope it is mandatory reading for our current administration and presidential hopefuls.

Greg opens a window of light and hope in a sometimes bleak and dark part of the world. You will be inspired as you learn about an increasingly important Pakistan and Afghanistan, as seen up close and personal.
I've listened to this twice on CD. I've read it to my daughter in 5th grade. After she picked Greg for her 5th grade "hero" project her class was motivated to raise Pennies for Peace.
And if you come away wondering if there wasn't a good deal of "literary license" thrown in, I can assure you that after meeting Greg I'm convinced he is the real deal.

Three Cups of Tea was one of the most moving books I've ever read. The need is so great, and we hope to help, as education IS an excellent way to let these children know we DO care about them. In this book, Mortenson briefly mentioned that the people he was visiting told a story of saving a United States soldier. That was a reference, I believe, to Marcus Luttrell. Luttrell wrote Lone Survivor, the story of the Navy Seals's mission; Luttrell was rescued by these wonderful people. Both books offer extended examples of the heroics these men went to in order to safely escort/save Mortenson and Luttrell.

I walked on holy ground as I read this book! It was not a detatched separateness but actually feeling every bump in the road kind of holiness.

Thank you to all the support staff that have given the rest of us a way to hear the story and then contribute to the Central Asia Institute.

I am using this information to plan a Remembrance/Peace Day Assembly and Christmas concert in our school in Thompson, Manitoba, Canada. The Pennies for Peace idea is such a practical idea for a school setting.

Thanks Greg and Tara

I can't add anything new to what has already been written by the others who have reviewed this book. Sayings like "The power of one" come to mind. So you can understand why I won't say much.

But I did have a film going through my imagination as I read the book. And I hope that one day we'll have a series across several evenings so most of the story can be shared on the screen.

Since my son's one-year deployment to Afghanistan, I have been interested in reading all I can about the country and surrounding countries. I was expecting to hear about life in Afghanistan, but got so much more. This true story is about one phenomenal man, Greg Mortenson, who traveled to Afghanistan to climb one of the tallest mountains in the world, but didn't make it to the top. He was so determined to return and try again, but along the way and after walking many miles through freezing temperatures, he wandered into a tiny village in Pakistan. The village people treated him like royalty and a life-long deep friendship began. Greg saw the need for schools for the children and promised to come back and build one. Greg's persistence in traveling from the US to Pakistan, and later Afghanistan, resulted in many schools being built and thousands of children being educated. And probably the hardest part of his adventures was raising the money to do the jobs, and trying to get people to listen to his pleas. This one man, along with the friends he met along the way, made life so much better for the children, including girls who had previously been left out of the education process. Over the years, Greg became so obsessed with helping the children that he had to be away from his own cherished children quite a lot. He's an incredible, incredible man and his book is a must-read for anyone who would like to help him build more schools...or just learn about people in that part of the country. He adored Mother Theresa, and it seems he was as effective as she was in helping those less fortunate. Awesome story!

Every person interested in what is REALLY happening in Pakistan, Iran and surrounding areas of the Middle East, must read this book. It is about an American hero who has made a difference in this war. Everyone should hear his voice and his story.

This book made me want to laugh and cry. Many non-fiction novels are very dry. This is anything but dry. It's action, it's comedy, and most of all, it's an inspiring true story of an amazing man with an amazing mission. You must read it!

I could not put this book down. The story is written so well, that I felt like I knew the people. Taking events that have been built up in maintream media as "global" and bringing it back down to what it means for a farmer, on the side of a mountain who could care less about politics and a man who, after climbing mountain after mountain, found a summit he could work towards his entire life. The efforts put forth here are logical, reasonable and I hope the next President of the US talks in great detail with Greg Mortenson about the humanity that is forgotten when we talk about the Middle East here in the US.

This book is an amazing account of what one person can do to change the world. For me, it was interesting to learn about how one can promote peace through education, by changing the way people perceive things. Too often, innocent lives are lost because of ignorance and intolerance. Greg Mortenson is an example to all of us.

Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson is a wonderful story of really making a difference in the world by building girls' schools in rural depressed areas of Pakistan. This book will rekindle a desire for education and the global sustainability it can create.

Three Cups of Tea isn't a work of literary genius...something you'd pick apart for AP Literature classes in high school or writing classes in college...it's not Poe, Steinbeck, Orwell, or Shakespeare...but the words that are weaved together in this book that retells the ten years of Greg Mortenson's life when he went on the biggest adventure of his life, reaching a summit far higher than that of K2, are maybe more valuable than any of the best classic literature or informative non-fiction in the world. The strides that Mortenson took after chance brought him to the village of Korphe in Northern Pakistan are amazing.

Three Cups of Tea chronicles both the eccentricities that become Greg Mortenson in his life in the U.S. as well as the footsteps he took, lessons he learned, and lives he changed while in Pakistan and parts of Afgahanistan.

Three Cups is filled with suspense at times when he's captured by unknowns, sitting to drink tea with Taliban leaders, or just barely escaping death in a tunnel in Afghanistan.

Three Cups is filled with emotion at times when Mortenson is building this father-son relationship with Haji Ali, the leader of the village of Korphe, sharing the best friend relationship that was built in just six days with his future wife Tara, and recounting the power that Jahan, granddaughter of Haji Ali, has received through her education and how her empowerment has given her high hopes for the rest of her life.

Three Cups is a book so full that everyone should read it. It's not a literary work of art, it's a humanitarian work of art.

I agree with other reviews that this book isn't necessarily well written, but the story deserves all the stars in the sky. You need to read this book. Don't borrow it from the library-- buy it to help raise money for this cause! If this book were fiction, you wouldn't believe it.

So go buy it, already! :-)

Oh MY! I loved it. I have recommended it to others to read, and also have started a monthly contribution to the school. It was such an eye opener to the crisis we are in right now with the middle east and how a lone individual can make a difference, which consequently will have a positive affect on our future.

I was very pleased to receive this book on Three Sets of Tea in just 3 days time. It was a wonderful story to read and to follow up on the author would be great too. He truly is my inspiration. If he can change the country we need more men like him. He is a blessing and a super hero.
Thanks, L.

Often I spend my time thinking about how much I would love to have the courage to just sell all my personal belongings and head off to a place like Korphe where I know people are in desperate need of our help. Greg Mortenson has done it, and with complete dedication and sacrifice. I like to believe that all across America there are plenty of people just like me, yearning to get off their couches and help someone in need. This book is the page that's been missing to direct us to unite and do something about poverty and education. Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin have created an inspirational masterpiece. Three Cups of Tea is the most amazing story of a man who has given his all to change a part of the world for the better. If you want to be completely inspired then you need to read Three Cups of Tea today!

First, its a wonderful story beautifully written. I felt like I was in Pakistan and could feel the tenor of the people and country. The fact that it's a true story and continuing now made me more interested to read to the end.
Second, Pakistan and Afghanistan are a part of the world I know only through news reports, mostly negative. Getting to know the people, how sincere they are about bringing education to their children, has made me look closer at the region. I now have a positive story of Muslims and will now study this region to be more informed. I intend to donate to this extremely worthy cause-it helps me feel less helpless in having a positive affect on this region!

An inspiration and source of hope in a troubled country. Read and learn something of what can be done if only you have the determination and humility.

I could not put this book down! An incredibly inspirational true story about how to put beliefs into action. My hope for humanity was rekindled in these dark times. I have a deeply heartfelt personal connection to the people of Pakistan with Pakistani friends there and I identified immediately with the author's description of the faithful loyalty in friendship and trust-worthiness of these people. I gave this book as a gift to those I love. My sister gave it to my nephew who is studying microeconomics and this story illustrated this concept perfectly as an example of how this area of economics works. A must read for younger people as well to show them how one man's inspiration can change hundreds if not thousands of lives.

What an amazing story, and told with dignity and love. A really engaging read. Mortensen's commitment to the poorest of the poor in remote North Pakistan, and his stopping-at-no-obstacles to achieve his original promnise of bringing a school to a tiny village up near K2 is extraordinary. What is more so is his ability to then turn this into a life mission to bring schools, particularly for girls, to remote tribal areas. A warm, larger-than-life man, and a stunning narrative.

This is a simple story about one man changing the world. It is also an easy to follow recipe describing how you can do the same.

Sunday September 28th, 2008. Yesterday I celebrated my 16th Buddhist wedding anniversary. We watched the video of the ceremony which is our tradition, with our 7 year old daughter who had seen, but not really understood it before. Part of our ceremony was San San Kudo which involves sipping sake from three cups symbolizing unity and growing understanding as in the following explanation.

"San means three. Three is an indivisible number, and it is considered a sacred number in Buddhism. By exchanging the nuptial sake sips, this three time three, they are now happily united. Nine means triple happiness, but just as the san-san-kudo sake sips may not be altogether delicious, the couple's marriage life may not always be delightful, but they will have to overcome their hardships with the co-operative spirit of the san-san-kudo."

I say all this to say that I understood the title "Three Cups of Tea" from this perspective. From the idea that one needs to take the time to learn another, any other and grow from sharing in the experience. There are also three qualities that a couple is supposed to bring out of each other in the course of their life together." Anger, greed and stupidity".

Greg's story as told by David gave me a glimpse into the power of faith and the triumph of humanity. Apart from work and even sometimes in my non existent lunch breaks, I could not help wondering where Greg would go next. The combination of the sheer beauty of the mountains, Greg's childhood African diasporic sensibility which equipped him well to be sensitive to and deeply respectful of the new culture that he woke up in; his own brush with death and the tragedy of the loss of his sister Christa are elements of the story which both endeared me to him and kept me enthralled.
The synchronicity of his meeting and marriage to Tara is echoed in my own life, but most important for me is the ability of David Oliver Rolin to make this story sufficiently attractive to American readers without significantly compromising Greg Mortenson's integrity. Sometimes the main stream perspective intrudes, but it is relatively rare. When a Marriot hotel was recently bombed in Pakistan, I found myself hoping that it wasn't that Marriot and that none of the characters in the book were there.
I'm writing this review, in part to play my part, to encourage everyone to get up get out and do somethin'. Change is possible. Now is the time. Read this book!

This text book was difficult to find, but Amazaon.com had it! I received it within seven business days, and the book was in great condition.

Thank you Greg, for taking the time to tell your story and I thought Relin's writing was beautiful...I am inspired to help in all ways that I can. I am a yoga teacher for more than 25 years and while I feel honored to work with people's hearts and souls....I'd like to help in an even more practical way now. I have been "toying" with the idea to become an english teacher for years now. Your story has inspired me to do it. I would like to meet your girls and boys one day and teach.

If you want to know more about the land in which the Taliban has taken hold, you need to read this book. If you want to understand why they are growing in power, you need to read this book. If you want to know what you can do to end their "Reign of Terror", read this book. I look forward to the sequel.

This is an incredibly important, uplifting story of an "average" American who made great sacrifices and risked his life to help others in a land far, far away. Greg Mortensen is a true hero and has done more to help eradicate the root causes of terrorism (the lack of education and/or the brainwashing of impressionable children in the guise of education) than just about everyone else. He is a great example of how much difference one person can make in the lives of thousands of others. This should be required reading for students, politicians, and others around the world.

Having said all of that, I did not like the way that Greg's story was told. The author, David Oliver Relin, is a journalist and I expected him to be more objective. It is clear that Greg Mortensen is a hero, but the author feels the need to bludgeon the reader over the head with that statement when is not at all necessary. Anyone reading the facts will come to that conclusion.

I appreciated the photos which were provided. They put a face to several of the key Pakistani and American people portayed in the book, so they were more real. The map was also helpful except that several of the towns which were discussed in the last quarter of the book weren't pictured (so it was harder to place them in geographical context).

I recommend this book to everyone, and I plan to donate to the charity which Greg established.

This is a true story you must read about. Purchase the book through amazons link on threecupsoftea.com and you donate 7% of the purchase price to a girls education fund in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

I was on the edge of my seat reading this book and could barely put it down. I could not wait to read what happens next.

I also became more aware of my ignorance of Islam and the need to understand it more.

I don't know that I'll take some of the risks that Greg has but I will use my money, my time, and my knowledge to contribute to his cause and fighting global poverty.

What a moving and powerful story. Greg Mortensen transforms his passion for different cultures (he grew up in Tanzania), his drive to achieve difficult goals (climbing K2), and his sense of responsibility (to his disabled younger sister) into a gigantic project: building schools for the children of the mountainous border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the process, he has countless narrow escapes, finds the love of his life, and develops deep and extensive friendships with the Balti-speaking and other tribespeople he works with. This book should be required reading for the next US president (nov 08).

This book was very enjoyable. It describes events, people and places that most of us will never see. I'm impressed with the efforts made by Greg in building schools and bridges in Pakistan for poor people. The narrative was of sufficient detail that I could imagine the places and people he was describing. Some reviewers critiqued the author for over-describing events in 'flowery' detail, but I found that detail necessary. To understand why this style was necessary, go find an incredibly majestic location, a mountain view or canyon, then try to distill what you see and feel into words. It's often not possible, yet we feel the need to try. Good book...amazing contributions by Greg Mortenson.

I can not say enough about this book. Other reviewers have complained about the writing style.... get over it. Sure there's some overwrought prose. Oh well, I guess Krakauer wasn't available. It doesn't matter because the true story being told is just too fascinating, amazing, educational, and important for any writer to be able to seriously screw it up. And personally I couldn't put this book down. It's one part adventure, one part geopolitical education, and one part inspiration. If only our political and military leaders could have read this book before they started their wars with Afghanistan and Iraq. It may not have prevented the wars but it sure would have helped us avoid making so many stupid blunders in prosecuting them. One of my favorite passages was when, after 9-11, Mortenson gets detained and interrogated by the CIA. They start out with typical western simplistic, chauvanistic preconceptions about middle eastern cultures, but the interrogators quickly begin to realize that the subject is way more complicated than they thought and that this one guy probably knows more about it than anyone in their whole organization. Frightening, but priceless.

This book was a gift from the goods to me
Gregs adventures inspired me to go forth and do somthing for others as I am selfish and think I think- too much about the me me me!
I loved the book and the message which was for me..go forth and let live today whilst I can appreciate and love people like greg and his amazing work!
Chris wakeford
wwwMagicmomentsfoundation.com

Once you understand that memorizing all the names of people and places is next to impossible, you will enjoy the account of this man's mission. His story makes you think of what could be done to help bring real peace to this part of the world.

gut wrenching, awe inspiring story. It's amazing how so little money can do so much, and yet how hard it is to get it done.

We invited BOTH authors to Rockford for "One Book One Rockford," sponsored by our library. A 300 voice children's choir sang at the Keeling Puri Peace Plaza and Mortonson spoke at the Coronado, our elegant restored theatre. The book transported me and I was moved deeply [A grown man sobbing!] and on the edge of my seat many times throughout the book. The collaboration of the two authors made for an amazing read. If you read only one book in your life, make it Three Cups of Tea!

Three Cups of Tea is an amazing and inspirational book that everyone should read! G
reg Mortenson is an ex-mountaineering man who by chance begins to build schools throughout the most dangerous and impoverished regions in Pakistan.
This book narrates Greg's journey and the process in which he has now built around 60 schools that provide free and un-biased education to small villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Anyone interested in Mortenson's plight to end terrorism by increasing literacy will learn a lot from reading this book.
Although hard to read for the first chapter or so I highly recommend it for the positive, inspiring and easy to realtable message that it delivers!!!

I cannot believe how unbelievably extraordinary this story is, yet so close to the hearts of ordinary people like you and me. As powerful as any humanitarian TV programs or well-advertised efforts, more if not less, it is so overwhelmingly inspiring that it makes you jump up and get straight on the web to make a donation or write a check. I can never see myself leading such an extraordinary life as 'Dr' Mortenson did but it makes you believe in the prospects of one person's will, however small, can not only solve the current Middle Eastern crisis, but really bring peace and make our world a better place. Amazing, fabulous book that I will recommend to every one I will speak to from now on!

Besides being a really great story about a man doing amazing things, I learned more about Pakistan and Afghanistan and what is really going on there than I ever get from the news. There are many ways to take this book, a heartwarming story, a piece of motivation, a history lesson, a primer on current international events, but however you take it, just make sure you do!

Three Cups of Tea is an amazing and inspiring story. It should be required reading for everyone who has hope for a peaceful world in the future. Thank you, Greg Mortenson, for your great work and for showing people in Pakistan and Afghanistan that there are some good Americans out there.