Book of The Day ~ Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

Book of The Day ~ Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

Hello members of Travel / Food / Wine Book Reviews and anyone else who stumbles upon this review.

"Here (in Pakistan and Afganistan) we drink three cups of tea to do business. The first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything - even die."

Haji Ali, Korphe Village chief, Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan

The current strife in the Middle East has prompted me to find ways to see things differently, to find good people ho are doing good things, who are trying to make the world better. One such person is Greg Mortenson. I stumbled across bits and pieces of his story on television, the internet, and in the newspaper and then one day found his memoir. It surprised me that this nurse and mountain climber would have ties to my home town, but then it really shouldn't. Several of the world's most renowned climbers are from here. "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time" is an inspiring, frustrating, and ultimately happifying tale that made me heart sing despite my tears.

"Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time" begins when Mortenson makes an attempt to summit K2 in 1993 and on the trip down from this failure, stumbles off the path being led by one of his fellow climbers and a Sherpa guide, and literally lands in a mountain village where they nurse him back to health over the course of several weeks. His gratitude is overwhelming and as he spends his recuperation playing with the village children, he realizes that they aren't in school. Because there is no school. He vows to return and build a school. He returns to the States, tries to find people in alignment with his vision and ultimately reaches out to the climbing community through a small ad in a climbing newsletter. Thus begins his trials and triumphs with fund raising, dealing with the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the outlying Northwest Territories which has become home to Al Qaida in recent years, but has also been home to remote tribes and the Taliban (primarily financed by Muslims in Saudi Arabia) wishing to control the area (educating boys only in religious madrassas and not allowing girls to be taught anything).

He also has to deal with fragile relations between tribes, builders, suppliers of building materials, avalanches and rock slides that destroy the roads on the way to get his building supplies to these remote villages, as well as traditions that forbid women to be taught. He creates a core group of project managers to assist him when he has to return home as he is only allowed to be there for a short time on each visit.


What I Liked

"Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time" is so inspiring! Despite all of the hardships and setbacks, (two fatwas were issued against him by a jealous builder which have been subsequently struck down in shariat court) Mortenson and his team have built 55 schools and with each one, they push back Muslim extremism, bring water and medical care, and strengthen the villages as a whole.

In addition, I felt like I was really there, struggling to breathe in the thin air, marveling at the immensity of the Himalayas, feeling frustrated by roadblocks, being encouraged whenever there is success. The insights into the land, people, cultures and governments are very enlightening. This is not an easy story to take in, but it is well worth the effort. What started out as an adventure trip for Greg Mortenson and his friends has turned into his life's passion.


What I Didn't Like

What I don't like actually has little to do with the book, but more that there are just a few people like Greg Mortenson who are sticking their necks out to do good and promote peace while there are so many ready to squash every attempt and who create strife. I wish there is more that I can do.


Final Recommendation

If you have a heart for the world, its children, and peace, give a short time to read "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time" and get involved

 

If you liked this book review, you might like to read some of my other book reviews which you can find by clicking on this link.

For further information, check out these websites:

http://www.threecupsoftea.com/

http://www.penniesforpeace.org/

http://www.ikat.org/

http://www.gregmortenson.com/

2008 © Susan K Barton

Book Description

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (January 30, 2007)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0143038257

ISBN-13: 978-0143038252

Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches