The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban’s backyard
Anyone who despairs of the individual’s power to change lives has to read the story of Greg Mortenson, a homeless mountaineer who, following a 1993 climb of Pakistan’s treacherous K2, was inspired by a chance encounter with impoverished mountain villagers and promised to build them a school. Over the next decade he built fifty-five schools—especially for girls—that offer a balanced education in one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on earth. As it chronicles Mortenson’s quest, which has brought him into conflict with both enraged Islamists and uncomprehending Americans, Three Cups of Tea combines adventure with a celebration of the humanitarian spirit.
A really good read, and inspiring, until all that stuff came out about how he was mismanaging things and overstated his work.
A reason I give this book two stars is because the prose is very slow at times. The book's content is pretty interesting, and the topic is timely and significant. This is the story of a man who carries out his promise to build a school for children in a small mountain village in Pakistan. One of the things I found particularly moving is the fact that he got threats and negative mail from Americans of all people. If nothing else, Mortenson's philosophy of promoting peace through education may well be the best possible way to fight terrorism in our time. It really is in our interest to promote education and peace. Why anyone would oppose this is something that will always puzzle me. The book reads a bit like an adventure tale and a bit like a travelogue. I think most people will enjoy it overall. And I think …
A reason I give this book two stars is because the prose is very slow at times. The book's content is pretty interesting, and the topic is timely and significant. This is the story of a man who carries out his promise to build a school for children in a small mountain village in Pakistan. One of the things I found particularly moving is the fact that he got threats and negative mail from Americans of all people. If nothing else, Mortenson's philosophy of promoting peace through education may well be the best possible way to fight terrorism in our time. It really is in our interest to promote education and peace. Why anyone would oppose this is something that will always puzzle me. The book reads a bit like an adventure tale and a bit like a travelogue. I think most people will enjoy it overall. And I think more people should be reading it because the book does provide an excellent look and overview at the regions of Central Asia, a place that very few people understand or appreciate. So, I do recommend it, just keep in mind it may be a bit slow to read at times.
(On an update note, after the various allegations about Mortenson and him taking money from his foundation, or at least misusing funds, came out, I am seriously disappointed to say the least. I guess my perception of him has changed, so I would have reservations over recommending this book to anyone).
It can be a little over-praisey of Mortenson, especially given the financial issues CAI's had with him. Turns out he's not very good at accounting.
While some say it's an example of cultural imperialism or colonialism, I find a couple things redeeming against that:
1. Many charities today would have you believe that giving free stuff to people in poor countries is how to help them. It's not. When our old clothes are donated to people in an impoverished country, it just puts the country's textile workers out of business. The country loses the capacity to produce clothing, and the people lose jobs. That's not helping; that's hurting. The thing that is done differently in this book is that only money is imported to the country. The money is paid to local businesses, so the money multiplier effect can take place within the local economy. Not only does a school …
It can be a little over-praisey of Mortenson, especially given the financial issues CAI's had with him. Turns out he's not very good at accounting.
While some say it's an example of cultural imperialism or colonialism, I find a couple things redeeming against that:
1. Many charities today would have you believe that giving free stuff to people in poor countries is how to help them. It's not. When our old clothes are donated to people in an impoverished country, it just puts the country's textile workers out of business. The country loses the capacity to produce clothing, and the people lose jobs. That's not helping; that's hurting. The thing that is done differently in this book is that only money is imported to the country. The money is paid to local businesses, so the money multiplier effect can take place within the local economy. Not only does a school result, but it should also help strengthen the local economy.
2. The first school that gets built is not the first thing to be built. The people tell Mortenson that a bridge would be more useful. Thankfully, he actually listens to them instead of railroading.
"Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is one of those rare books that shows the possibilities of a simple idea and what can be done by the efforts and dedication of one person to affect the lives of thousands of people. While not the best written text, on idea alone this book deserves high praise. Mortenson's story gives the reader profound lessons on international development, education, and questions of Western involvement in one of the world's most volatile but important regions at the beginning of the twenty-first century.
The true appeal of this book is in the singular personality of Mortenson himself. As Director of the Central Asia Institute, Mortenson has been responsible for building nearly ninety co-educational, secular schools and providing funding for development projects in Pakistan and Afghanistan. While not a perfect person, …
"Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin is one of those rare books that shows the possibilities of a simple idea and what can be done by the efforts and dedication of one person to affect the lives of thousands of people. While not the best written text, on idea alone this book deserves high praise. Mortenson's story gives the reader profound lessons on international development, education, and questions of Western involvement in one of the world's most volatile but important regions at the beginning of the twenty-first century.
The true appeal of this book is in the singular personality of Mortenson himself. As Director of the Central Asia Institute, Mortenson has been responsible for building nearly ninety co-educational, secular schools and providing funding for development projects in Pakistan and Afghanistan. While not a perfect person, Mortenson shows tenacity, overwhelming compassion for those around him, and an awareness of the world that is all too lacking in society today. After failing to climb K2, Mortenson was taken in by the village of Korphe in northern Pakistan where, out of gratitude he promised the village elder that he would build a school for the children of the village.
The book discusses many issues surrounding international development that serve as good lesson for the West as it becomes more involved in affairs of the Global South and Southeast Asia. Global development must be international funded but locally run. Westerners working in these areas must slow down, build local relationships and have a stronger sensitivity to local cultures, some who according to Helena Norberg-Hodge live in "a pattern of existence based on the coevolution between humans and the earth." Another issue is the absolute importance of the education of women. Societies which do not engage in widespread co-education do not educate nearly half of their population and keep half of their population in permanent subservience. Amartya Sen has discussed the concept of changing culture by giving girls the tools to be grow up educated so they can help themselves and we can see that on display here in "Three Cups of Tea."
However, the biggest lesson of the book is for what I assume to be its intended audiences. We in the West must no longer be content to be confined within our national identities but realize the duties of global citizenship. We must stop thinking in terms of nations but in terms of humanity. As a society, we must begin to give our children an international education that teaches them about global issues, compassion for others, and the connections we all have to each other. This is not simply an idealistic, new age idea but one that is essential to our continued standing and security. These issues will remain at the forefront of the twenty-first century and we must rise to meet the challenges they face. Greg Mortenson is one person who embodies what it means to be a twenty-first century global citizen and this book should be essential reading for everyone.
So far this book is really good. I have only made my way through a couple of chapters since picking it up the other night, but I am excited about working through this book.
After finishing the book, and take a bit to think back on the whole journey, I really liked it. As a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I spent a lot of time working with the Iraqis. After reading this I see a lot of similarities between the two countries and greatly admire Greg Mortenson's work. Education truly is key to helping the people of the middle east. I would greatly recommend this book to anyone who wants a more complete understanding of the adversities faced by those people.
This book was excellent as it gave me hope and inspired me in these increasingly dark days.
A fascinating book. But the writing of Mortenson/Relin was not of the highest caliber. The narrative tended to ramble, and Mortenson was painted with altogether too saintly a brush. (And which of the two was writing what?) And there was the sense that the difficult or inconvenient bits of background had simply been papered over. But what Mortenson is accomplishing, in building schools in the poorest and most remote parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan, is utterly amazing and laudable.
