“Here 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.

K2 is the second highest mountain on earth and the most difficult one to climb. K2 is known as the Savage Mountain due to the difficulty of ascent and the second highest fatality rate. For every four people who have reached the summit, one has died trying. K2 is part of the Karakoram segment of the Himalayan range. K2 is considered to be every mountaineer’s ultimate challenge and the worst nightmare.

In 1993, Greg Mortenson, an American mountaineer, was descending from his failed attempt to reach the peak of K2. Exhausted and disoriented, he wandered away from his group into the most desolate reaches of northern Pakistan. Alone, without food, water, or shelter he stumbled into Korphe—an impoverished Pakistani village where he was nursed back to health.

While recovering he observed the village’s 84 children sitting outdoors, scratching their lessons in the dirt with sticks. The village was so poor that it could not afford the $1-a-day salary to hire a teacher. When he left the village, he promised that he would return to build them a school. From that rash, heartfelt promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time.

In an early effort to raise money he wrote letters to 580 celebrities, businessmen, and other prominent Americans. His only reply was a $100 check from NBC’s Tom Brokaw. Selling everything he owned, he still only raised $2,400. But his efforts changed when a group of elementary school children in River Falls, Wisconsin, donated $623.40 in pennies, who inspired adults to begin to take action. Dr. Jean Hoerni, a Swiss physicist, and a Silicon Valley microchip industry pioneer donated the necessary funds for the bridge and school at Korphe. The 283 foot Braldu Bridge was completed in 1995 and the Korphe School was completed in 1996. In 1996, a year before his death, Hoerni established Central Asia Institute, and appointed Mortenson as the director. The mission of the institute was to provide education and related help to the people in the remote and underserved regions of Asia.

Since then, Mortenson has established 78 schools. In pursuit of his goal, Mortenson has survived an armed kidnapping, fatwas issued by enraged mullahs, repeated death threats, and wrenching separations from his wife and children. This is a moving story of one man’s love and compassion and how his compassion, determination, and perseverance achieved results far beyond his expectations and changed the lives of millions of people.

Three Cups of Tea is the real story of the riveting adventure and extraordinary achievement. It is also a testament to the power of human spirit, love, and compassion. A must read.

Book Details:

• Author: Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Year: 2007
• ISBN: 0143038257
• Cover & Page Count: Paperback, 349 pages