Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 1558
 Three cups of tea will change your view of the world. January 7, 2009
L. Studstill (Atlanta, GA)
I read all the time and nothing has moved me as much as Three Cups of Tea. This book transported me into the remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan and changed the way I think of these "outlaw" lands. You become a part of the author's huge family that spans across continents and time zones. This book will humanize the people that have almost been forgotten by the rest of the world.
Mortenson is Awe-inspiring January 7, 2009
Bort (North Dakota, CA USA)
Three Cups of Tea, by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson is a fascinating and very uplifting book to read. It profiles Mortenson, formerly an aimless climbing aficionado as he finds his calling, which is to open schools for the rural poor in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The book opens when Mortenson is on an expedition to climb K2. Though it means giving up on his own pursuit of the summit, he embarks on a mission to rescue a fellow climber in a life-threatening situation. The rescue was successful, but Mortenson, weary and broken down, loses his guide and stumbles into the village of Korphe in northern Pakistan. He is taken in by the village leader and cared for by the townspeople. Eventually he begins sharing his own knowledge with the people of Korphe, especially from his training as an ER nurse, earning himself the nickname Dr. Greg. When he goes to see the children of Korphe at school, he finds them spread out in a clearing, trying to complete their lessons without the aid of a teacher. This gives him his inspiration.
Mortenson returns to Berkeley and passionately begins fundraising for his endeavor. After much frustration, he finally gets the necessary funds and returns to Pakistan, only to be presented with new pitfalls. He cultivates relationships with locals who help him to make his dream a success. From there, he decides that as long as there are other children who need help, he will make a career out of raising money and building schools.
In addition to the inspiring story of Greg Mortenson, I was able to gain insight into what Pakistan is really like. While many people think of Pakistan and other Islamic countries as being teeming with America-hating fundamentalists, Greg's friendships with many ordinary people show what the more typical moderate Muslims are like. The book also does a nice job of describing a completely foreign lifestyle of the tribal peoples, living isolated lives with few modern amenities.
I highly recommend Three Cups of Tea to anyone who wants to read about a person who has truly made a difference or who wants to learn more about life outside of the industrialized world.
 MY NEW LIFE BOOK January 6, 2009
ENERGIZED (ROGERS AR USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
THIS STORY OF GREG'S TENACIOUS VICTORY WILL REMAIN A LIFE BOOK i WANT TO SHARE WITH OTHERS. IT HAS GIVEN ME INSIGHT INTO A DISTANT REGION. A TIME LINE, GLOSSARY AND EVEN A LIST OF CHARACTERS WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN BETTER.THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SHARE THIS EXPERIENCE WITH THE WESTERN WORLD.
a little humanity January 6, 2009
Leigh M. Gage (lived in France 18 years)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
In this egomaniac, me age, it is refreshing to read about someone who thinks about helping others. Recommend this book to those who are xenophobic and who are afraid to travel outside the well trodden luxury hotel path.
When there is a Will, there is a Way. January 6, 2009
Ben Ajax (Canada)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
What Greg Mortenson has done shows how human will to make a difference and be of some help can break all the barriers. He faced both cultural and financial barriers and over came. A Persian poet says: Put step in the way, And the way will tell you how to go ahead. And Mortenson is a proof of how "the way" takes you ahead when you have a certain will but no clue how to proceed. It also shows how humanity stands far above all differences, be it cultural, lingual, religious ...
The story telling is obviously not the best I have ever read. Thats why I rate it 4. Otherwise, Greg Mortenson deserves 5+. He is already in my list of living heroes!
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