In 1993 Greg Mortenson was returning from a failed attempt to climb K2, the world's second highest mountain, in northern Pakistan. During the ascent Greg and three climbers rescued a fifth climber. The rescue took over 75 hours. After the rescue Greg became separated from the group. Both weak and exhausted he wondered into a small improvised village. The people in the village welcomed Greg and nursed him back to health.
To repay the village for saving his life, Greg promised to return and build a school. From this simple promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time—Greg Mortenson's one-man mission to counteract extremism by building schools, throughout an area dominated by the Taliban.
In pursuit of his goal, Mortenson has survived kidnapping, fatwas issued by enraged mullahs, repeated death threats, and wrenching separations from his wife and children. But the change he has made on the world speaks for itself. As of 2009, Mortenson has established or significantly supports 131 schools in rural and often volatile regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. These schools provide an education to over 58,000 children, including 44,000 girls, where few education opportunities existed.
Mortenson’s success in the region has brought great praise from the Pentagon and he is considered a valued unofficial consultant to the United States Military. Three Cups of Tea is now required reading for Special Forces troops deploying to Afghanistan
“Three Cups of Tea” is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time. Greg Mortenson’s dangerous and difficult quest to build schools in the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan is not only a thrilling read, it’s proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world.” - Tom Brokaw
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