Customer Reviews: Read 1134 more reviews...
 Read, and read this July 26, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Let me begin with the requisite: This book is beautiful and inspiring. Beyond that, though, it is a case-study in development favoring a pragmatic, bottom-up approach as championed by William Easterly (author of "The White Man's Burden.")
There have been so many well-written reviews of this book that I wish not to extol it any further, but rather address a couple concerns brought up in the handful of grieved reviews. First is that the book is "overly polished" and too thick with detail; on the contrary, the little flourishes of detail embellish a story that would otherwise drift from drab village to drab village. The second criticism is that Mortenson is "ego-centric" and Relin overly apt to praise him. I would strongly disagree with the first, especially since--contrary to what some people believe (if they did not read the introduction)--Mortenson was not an author, per se, but rather a contributor. And--while Relin never quite goes into great detail about the criticisms lobbied against Mortenson--there is, in fact, very little to touch upon there aside from a few Islam-phobic, unworldly Americans.
Bottom line: Read. Not just this book, but any book--enjoy that privilege which, as we are reminded here, so many in the world still lack.
get inspired July 26, 2008
This book inspires me to be a better person. Cheers to Greg and David for writing something totally worth reading. Cheers to Greg and all of his pals who have lived this truly inspiring story. Bravo!
"The enemy is ignorance" July 26, 2008
As a voracious reader I have read the masterworks of many literary greats and been engulfed, if not transported, by the prowess of equally great, though not necessarily noteworthy, authors and storytellers. Three Cups of Tea is unequivocally the best story I've ever read (could be that this is where my head is these days). Beautifully written, it's one man's tale of a failed attempt to summit the most razorous of Himalayan peaks and how that failure lead to his benevolent efforts and selfless success as humanitarian. Greg Mortensen, Director of the Central Asia Institute established stateside, is a real American hero. His mission is to combat poverty and subjugation with education - "books not bombs". CAI has built over 50 schools, particularly for girls, in the most rugged and sequestered terrain of Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan in the last 15 years. The alliances he's forged and relationships he's built with the most unlikely cast of characters is a real testament to Greg's passion for his work and a genuine belief in the fundamental and universal human need for self-reliance.
Interesting insights and information July 25, 2008
I found this book on the bottom shelf in a bookstore at the Albequerque Airport and I hadn't read ANYTHING about it beforehand but only now have seen other Amazon reviews. I am a teacher at a school in a suburb and have recently seen a major decline in the educational values of students and parents in our district which not only saddens me, but scares me as well - especially when I realize that these kids will grow up to be adults in our society. I commend "Dr. Greg" for his passion in educating the children in these remote areas. My hope for all who read this book is that they would become more aware of the ramifications of uneducated people in their own community as well as around the world.
 Touching and hopeful July 25, 2008
There is very few books that can move you like Three Cups of Tea. This book also educates us...
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