Savoring 'Three Cups of Tea'

Review of THREE CUPS OF TEA (Penguin Books 2007)
Authors, Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

Few books tell a story so inspiring in such a beautiful way that they simply leave me at a loss for words. This is one of them, but I will try to say a few words, anyway.

THREE CUPS OF TEA tells the true story of Greg Mortenson, a mountain climber whose life took a more-than-slightly interesting turn after he made a failed attempt to climb K2. Mortenson, who got separated from his fellow climbers on the way down, took a wrong turn and ended up in Korphe, a small Pakistani village, after spending an inhospitable night on the mountainside. While he recuperated in Korphe, Mortenson got to know the people and took an interest in them. When he saw that their children lacked schools and had to learn their lessons outside, with the barest minimum (to put it generously) of school supplies, Mortenson promised the village elder he would see that a school would be built there.

Mortenson kept his promise--after a massive letter-writing campaign that yielded one check, living a penurious existence (while saving up money for his venture on a nurse's salary in the Bay Area) and other persistent efforts. He eventually found financial backing from fellow mountaineer and wealthy entrepreneur Dr. Jean Hoerni. With the money to buy supplies and labor, Mortenson headed back to Korphe to build a school. Only to realize that before he could build the school, they'd have to build a bridge--across a chasm that separated Korphe from the materials Mortenson was bringing.

This is just one early (and, believe it or not, comparatively small) example of the many obstacles Mortenson faced in trying to build this and other schools in the remote villages of Pakistan and, later, Afghanistan. We follow Mortenson through all his early missteps, misfortunes (financially, romantically, personally, politically) and misadventures until he finally gets (not necessarily in this order) the money, the girl, a job as head of the created-for-him Central Asia Institute and the respect of peers, politicians, Muslim clerics, Taliban leaders and citizens from all walks of life in Pakistan and Afghanistan. And he managed not only to build schools, but to address other infrastructure problems villagers faced. Mortenson's accomplishments and what he went through to achieve them are so stunning, they took my breath away. David Oliver Relin (who chronicled Mortenson's efforts) is a deft story-teller and the book reads like a well-plotted work of fiction.

Three observations: First, to say this story is inspirational is simply not saying enough. The story is nothing short of astonishing, amazing . . . again, these words seem trite given the magnitude of Mortenson's accomplishments. At the risk of gushing (further, some might say), it's a real-life example of how one person, with persistence and fortitude, can truly make a difference.

Second, Mortenson may have been motivated by his love and concern for the children in the tiny villages of Central Asia, but as you'll see from the book, what he has achieved goes even farther. Through his efforts, Mortenson learned about the wonderful qualities of the Muslim people of that region, and he has served as a good will ambassador for Americans (something we could sorely use, there and in general).

Finally, the story shows how taking one wrong fork in the road can lead to the most amazing places. I say Mortenson took the "wrong fork." But was it wrong? Or was it written?

Whether due to fate or happenstance, I think if you read this book, you'll agree it turned out to be a wonderful thing.