Three Cups of Tea

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)

Disappointing to Learn of its Falsehoods

A 60 Minutes investigation challenges Mortenson's integrity.

I *want* Mortenson's stories to be true, and I enjoyed listening to this book. But after learning that he has most likely fabricated many of his stories, I now have no confidence in which parts of his stories are true, and which are false.

18 of 19 people found this review helpful

A Fraud

Before you waste a penny on this book google the current news about both of the authors. Relin committed suicide and Mortenson is trying to stage a comeback after his disgrace. Most of the stories from this "nonfiction" book are reported to be lies and much of the money donated to the charity started by the authors is believed to have been misused for personal gain.

I am horrified that I wasted a minute listening to this title and that I supported these men by buying this book. It is too late for me to return the book and get a refund of my credit--but it isn't too late for others to avoid buying this book. I wish Audible and the publisher would withdraw the book from the market.

57 of 63 people found this review helpful

Can't get past the first chapter

Maybe it gets better, but I'm not in the mood to listen to another 10 minutes of how wonderful Greg Mortensen is. Maybe I'd agree that he's great, if I could actually make it to the story.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Truth or fiction?

Would you try another book from Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin and/or Patrick Lawlor?

Now knowing that Mortenson likely made up key portions of the book I'm sad that I wasted a credit on this 'nonfiction' title. I think Audible should give credit back to anyone who wasted it on this. Too bad, too, because it's a really good story...if only it were true.

Has Three Cups of Tea turned you off from other books in this genre?

I'll do more research before I take someone at their word that the work is nonfiction.

What about Patrick Lawlor’s performance did you like?

He was good. No complaints with the narration/performance.

Do you think Three Cups of Tea needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. Greg Mortenson needs to come clean and tell the millions of people who read Three Cups of Tea what is and isn't true.

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

This story is fiction - it's really a pack of lies

What would have made Three Cups of Tea better?

Please stop selling this as non-fiction. It is an outrage what lies this man has told.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Liar! Debunked fraud. Untrue story.

What would have made Three Cups of Tea better?

An untrue story. Written to get money from ignorant Americans.

What was most disappointing about Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin ’s story?

You want to believe the lies. How education could have solved a real problem.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Greg Mortenson is a huge fraud...

he's a compulsive liar, who's character flaws and dishonesty overshadow what little good he's actually done. the entire premise of his book is nonsense, as the U.S. military is finding out in their "hearts and minds" campaign in Afghanistan. unfortunately they're still using his phony book as their feel good guide to "winning" the war, whatever that means anymore.

15 of 18 people found this review helpful

So-so

I purchased this on sale and would have felt jipped had I used a credit for it. As it was, I felt I learned a little about Greg Mortenson and his mission, got a glimpse of what makes religious extremists able to get a foothold in the middle east, and felt utterly apalled the next time I walked into Walmartt and saw all the things we waste money on there. The "lack of" FILL IN THE BLANK (food, water, penmcils, schools, cleanliness, medicine, doctors with real training) in Pakistan and Afghanistan is sad. The book-- eh. The narrative is dry, and the vocal narration is clumsy, not natural.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

An education and inspiration

I’ve read a lot of books from Audible. Few have hit me in the gut like this book does. Greg Mortenson is really an amazing person – and the story in this book, I think, will make even the most outgoing and philanthropic person feel humble. I honestly can’t think of anyone who has given as much of himself to help others. I would agree with the folks who have said this guy is in line for a Nobel Peace prize. Still, with all that aside, the STORY told here is just as captivating as the man and his work.

I hate when I read an audible review and it gives away the ending, etc., so I’ll try not to do that here. That said, Mortenson risks his life and struggles through very hard times to educate children in remote parts of the world. He learns, adjusts and perseveres. The resulting successes are inspiring for anyone who has wanted to do something to help others. The book will make you feel that you should try to climb K2 tomorrow. The story is timely, too. Had Greg worked to build schools, educate children and provide to those in need off in sub-Saharan Africa the book would still have been an amazing read. But against the backdrop of Afghanistan, Bin Ladin and the Taliban, and in the historical context of the book (starting well before 9-11 and ending during our modern day situation in Iraq) the Mortenson story has a lot to teach us all about this remote part of the world.

38 of 47 people found this review helpful

Waste of Time

This is no more than a book of the author patting himself on the back. Long, boring and a waste of time.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful