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)

a compelling story poorly written

The writer needs to brush up on basic points of storytelling. It was often difficult to understand because of tense and point of view changes. At times the story was told in first person and other times as from an omniscient point of view. However, the story itself kept me interested.

Too bad about the accents

An enthralling book about someone who is truly doing something that makes a difference. I almost quit listening due to the overly florid writing and the totally cornball accents the reader used. I'm glad I stuck with it because I learned a great deal about a part of the world that is unknown to most of us. Greg Mortenson, his family and all the supporters of the Central Asia Institute are to be commended. I will definitely be sending some of my hard earned dollars to help build their schools. I would normally have rated this book only 3 stars because of my objections to the writing and the reader but gave it 4 because of its content.

AMAZING BOOK!

If you like true life stories... this book will NOT disappoint you... I wanted to listen to the whole book non-stop... Absolutely wonderful!

An excellent true story, a pretty good book

I'm a great admirer of Greg Mortenson, and the good he has done in a corner of the globe which is inhospitable both physically and politically. He has created humanitarian doorways into the Third World which remain open even as the walls around them have grown more impassable. His story is very valuable one; thrilling and frightening, hearth-warming and chilling in turns.

But, while the narrator does a fair job, even with the multiple voices and accents he recreates, the narrative itself sometimes drags and by the middle of the book I was thinking of putting it aside for awhile. I didn't, and I hope that everyone who starts this books completes it. The history that Greg Mortenson has created, and the many projects he continues to control, are some of the most-worthwhile efforts ever launched by a simple man with a pure heart who just wants to level the playing field a tiny bit.

The region depicted in this book has a long story, it will continue to be a long story, and the retelling of this fragment of recent life in the Himalayas is a long story. You'll be a better person for it, but be prepared.

Too long!

Good book, great man, but the story is way too long. This story would be much better abridged.

Fantastic story - fantastic book!

Wow...what a selfless man. And how wonderful to tell the story. Very uplifting to listen to. Reminds me that there is still good in the world. I suspect that some of the motivation of sharing the adventure with us is to generate funds for the Central Asia Institute, but really, what a wonderful cause to support. Narrator has a great voice too.

Inspiring - definitely worth the time

This non-fiction story is an amazing account of philanthropy. Although I did not particulary care for the reader, the story made it completely worthwhile. It is heart wrenching to think about the desperation some people in our world have for the opportunity to receive an education, especially when comparing that desperation to the nonchalance - or even at times disdain - with which many American children approach their education. As with most non-fiction, the story moved a little slow, but it touched my heart in a way that fiction cannot, and I would highly reccommend it.

Engaging Story; Very Well Written

This remarkable book combines an adventure story, insightful commentary on the reasons terrorists emerge from remote parts of the Muslim world, and an inspiring account of the power of friendship, simple caring, and a courageous man's dogged persistence in creating a better life for his fellow man in neglected regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is a remarkable story and is very well written. The book's vivid descriptions of the places and the numerous characters that are part of the Greg Mortenson saga make this a very engaging and instructive read.

Great Story

Really enjoyed the story. Just enough of Greg to let us know who he is and how he operates. But the emphasis is on changing cultures and attitudes through education and opportunity--a true American story and the true American way. Keep fighting the good fight.

Half and half

What did you like best about Three Cups of Tea? What did you like least?

I like true stories and found Greg Mortenson's to be inspiring at first. I did learn a great deal about the cultures in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but was put off by a sort of anti-American turn the book takes near the end. It's not one I would recommend to my friends.