Biography Review

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
by Greg Mortenson
ISBN-10: 0143038257

Every so often we are reminded of how much good there is in the world. In a society fraught with the strive for the almighty dollar, simply for the dollar's sake, there is also to be found a soul or two who strive for the dollar in order to make a difference. The opposite of terrorism is love, and with this powerful tool we can overcome the darkness of the world. Greg Mortenson shows us how in the book "Three Cups of Tea - One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time."

Greg, a mountaineer, a man who sets out to make it to the tops of mountains, has embarked on a journey to conquer the biggest mountains of all - ignorance, lack of education, broken promises, and facing the unknown. In 1993 Greg didn't achieve his goal to reach the summit of K2 in the Karakoram Mountains. But he did find his purpose. Reaching the impoverished village of Korphe, Pakistan, and being nursed back to health, Greg found his fate-intended destination. He promised to return and build a school for the children who sat scratching lessons in the dirt. Once back at home in California though, Greg realized he hadn't a clue as to how he was going to raise the money to fulfill his promise. He began by simply asking for it from 580 of the most influential people he could think of. One replied. What would it take to build a school in Pakistan? $12,000. But first, he must drink tea. The first cup is offered to a stranger, the second poured for a friend, and the third is a cup shared by family. In this way, three cups of tea are shared between Greg and each of the people he hopes to do business with. In this way, he learns the first lessons in what it really takes to build a school in Pakistan.

What were those mountains Greg had to cross? - ignorance on the part of the world's society for ignoring the needs of people, lack of education - in a land where the wealthiest are able to send their boys off to private school, and where the government has fallen short on promises of public schooling, and where girls are not often sent to school, and where the Taliban is recruiting young boys by schooling them for free in Madrassas, broken promises - on the part of The United States who promised to help rebuild after the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, and facing unknowns - where Greg had to learn languages new to him, struggle to not offend, drive blindly into the dark under gunfire, and accept traditions and beliefs that were unlike his own but every bit as valid and meaningful. After doing all of this and more, Greg is a much-to-be celebrated hero of the world. Fifty-five schools for girls have been built in areas the typical American has never even imagined. This outreach of love and respect is doing so much more to stop terrorism than anything else ever could. In the heart of the Taliban's incubation box Greg Mortenson offers a much different view of an American.

"Three Cups of Tea" is co-written by David Oliver Relin. It is a must read for every American. The story of Greg's struggle down the mountain and his struggle right back up a mountain of another variety is a captivating, almost unbelievable tale of heroism. It is an in-depth story of deep relevance and high importance. It reads like an Indiana Jones adventure, where the treasure is self growth for thousands, and possibly peace for everyone. To fight for the children is a noble cause, but to also be making a stand in opposition of terror, in this manner, is knight-worthy behavior. Surely, everyone who has the pleasure of meeting Greg is blessed by having been touched by this soul, by his giving personality, and by his drive to make a difference. Reading the book is the next best thing.