Three Cups of Tea

One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations

By: Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1993 Greg Mortenson was the exhausted survivor of a failed attempt to ascend K2, an American climbing bum wandering emaciated and lost through Pakistan's Karakoram Himalaya. After he was taken in and nursed back to health by the people of an impoverished Pakistani village, Mortenson promised to return one day and build them a school. From that rash, earnest promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time: Greg Mortenson's one-man mission to counteract extremism by building schools, especially for girls, throughout the breeding ground of the Taliban.

Award-winning journalist David Oliver Relin has collaborated on this spellbinding account of Mortenson's incredible accomplishments in a region where Americans are often feared and hated. In pursuit of his goal, Mortenson has survived kidnapping, fatwas issued by enraged mullahs, repeated death threats, and wrenching separations from his wife and children. But his success speaks for itself. At last count, his Central Asia Institute had built 55 schools. Three Cups of Tea is at once an unforgettable adventure and the inspiring true story of how one man really is changing the world, one school at a time.

©2006 Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin (P)2006 Tantor Media Inc

Critic reviews

"Three Cups of Tea is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time....Not only a thrilling read, it's proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world." (Tom Brokaw)

Slow but parsed with interesting bits

Although I really liked the book, I had a hard time listening to it. It is SLOW to start, and SLOW in spots. I didn't like the reader trying to talk in accents when quoting people - English, Irish, Pakistani. This is a documentary and I didn't expect theatrics. It was distracting and created dis-ease.
I enjoyed learning about the events and the outcome, but thought it could have been told in half the words.

I had heard a lot about this book...

and for the most part, it deserves its reputation. It is a compelling and inspiring story of a man on an unswerving mission of duty to himself and to the world. It is not what one would call an enthralling narrative (like MANHUNT: THE 12 DAY SEARCH FOR LINCOLN'S KILLER or TEARS IN THE DARKNESS), although it is quite well-written and without major flaws. And the true story told here makes it all worth while and makes us want more from the world--and from ourselves.

Life altering

This book is an inspiration as well as insightful. It not only gives the reader priceless insights into the Pakistani culture, destroys stereotypes, and educates the reader, but its fast-moving narrative and heart stopping true stories illustrate what one person can do with courage, hard work and a few fortunate breaks (which, of course, often follow the "courage and hard work"). A powerful story, well told.

Amazing!

I never know if it is a good thing or a bad thing when a book is over and you are sad because you don't want it to end. I am just glad that Greg wrote another book because that way I don't have to end the journey. What an amazing story and man!

I listen to about one book every day from audible and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book this much! A must read!

Should be required reading

This book should be required reading by all high schools, government officials, military and their families! In today's world, we hear so much about Muslim extremists and how they have hurt the US. This book tells us how we can best fight the extremists -- through education, and specifically through education of women, while reminding us the most Muslims are just like you and me.

Great Story, Poor Writing

I loved the story that is told in this book, but the writing was not good. It was all I could do to get through it. I admire Mortenson and all that he has accomplished, but he should have chosen a different collaborator, one who could actually write. Although it claims to have been written by Mortenson, it is written in third person by a collaborator, which got really old. I couldn't hear " . . . Mortenson said" many more times!!!

The narrator's voice was annoying after a while. He did great accents of foreign characters. I liked him best when he was doing those, but I got to the point that I couldn't listen to his natural voice much longer.

Perspective

I feel that this moving, important, summary
of reality in our world has changed, and is changing, it for the better. Greg's work shores me up and reminds me that, while I still have breath, I, too, can make a difference.

Enlightening

This book was not an easy read for me. I read the first 3/4's of the book the old fashioned way and then downloaded the audio version. I come away from this book with a better understanding of how vastly different we in America are from other cultures of the world. We are not better or superior. Sometimes our ways are very flawed. Three Cups of Tea clearly illustrates that we are culturally worlds apart. I applaud Greg Mortenson for all that he has done!

Incredible!

A story of a true American Hero! If you are looking for actual fist hand recent experience in the Pakistan and Afghanistan regions, this is the book for you. Beware, it's not about climbing.. it's about educating children. It's about fighting terrorism at it's roots. If you read or saw Charlie Wilson's War this is the follow-up story of the devastation and problems that another single man is cleaning up. It's the kind of story that sticks with you well after the book is over. Get it, listen and then send some money to Greg!

Inspiration

So much has been said about this book that I have trouble adding anything new. First rate; a true story, I presume ongoing; a part of the world about which most of us know so little, tribal cultures within Islam. I enjoyed the purpose described, the details researched and even the love story embedded in the book is credible and not at all mushy.

I really wish Audible would take more care with the Narrators. Patrick Lawlor is clear and gets on with it. But he has a 'small', hard edged voice and for those who listen 3 - 5 hours at a stretch, this choice is such an important contributor to relaxed enjoyment.