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linguiztomaniac's review
2.0
2.5–The writing style is not really my cup of tea, and I am (unfortunately) dnfing this book about halfway through because it is so excruciatingly long. Promising premise, poor execution. It’s sort of like reading a documentary with interviews interspersed, which at first I forced myself to get used to, but the pacing is all over the place. May come back to it later but doubtful. As others have mentioned, there is also a severe lack of translation and understanding for the Balti language aspect.
novabird's review
After a discussion with a friend about the controversy surrounding this book, and then researching the said issues myself, I decided to leave Three Cups of Tea unfinished. As Goodread members are not permitted to directly comment on the author of any book, I will point those curious about my decision to Google Three Cups of Tea and read for themselves about this controversy. I can't rate this book because there are too many unknowns, however I did like the first 72 pages.
jess_mango's review
4.0
This book was the June 2007 selection for my book club. It is a touching and inspiring story about one man who made a difference for the underpriviliged and opressed rural people in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
araym007's review
5.0
Does this book have problems? yes. Does the ghostwriter do some serious much hero-worship? yes. Did this book, despite all its flaws, inspire me? YES!
I was introduced to this book in college by my professor (a journalist mentioned in the book who met up with Greg in Peshawar). He told us a bit about Greg's work and we got to ask all sorts of questions, which was really interesting. From what I learned, it's easy to see why people could succumb to hero-worship. Despite all the negativity surrounding this book, I think everyone should still give this book a shot. If you can raise yourself up and overlook the little stuff, it is obvious to me that the work being done is crucial and the philosophies are sound.
No matter what else, this book undeniably has heart. And that's what inspired me. That's what inspired me to do my thesis on the effect of education on child-mortality in India. That's what inspired me to go into international community development work. So my take: give this book a chance, take it with a few large grains of salt, and see it as an inspiring story. Instead of muckraking, go try and better yourself. You CAN make a difference.
I was introduced to this book in college by my professor (a journalist mentioned in the book who met up with Greg in Peshawar). He told us a bit about Greg's work and we got to ask all sorts of questions, which was really interesting. From what I learned, it's easy to see why people could succumb to hero-worship. Despite all the negativity surrounding this book, I think everyone should still give this book a shot. If you can raise yourself up and overlook the little stuff, it is obvious to me that the work being done is crucial and the philosophies are sound.
No matter what else, this book undeniably has heart. And that's what inspired me. That's what inspired me to do my thesis on the effect of education on child-mortality in India. That's what inspired me to go into international community development work. So my take: give this book a chance, take it with a few large grains of salt, and see it as an inspiring story. Instead of muckraking, go try and better yourself. You CAN make a difference.
sunbreak's review
2.0
How many journalists have ever written a readable full-length book? I'm sure it can happen, right?
I just had to get that out- When I start to skim a book and sigh when I realize how many pages I have left.. never a good sign.
But! The topic is fascinating and the culture/history engaging. It just didn't satisfy that need for story.
I just had to get that out- When I start to skim a book and sigh when I realize how many pages I have left.. never a good sign.
But! The topic is fascinating and the culture/history engaging. It just didn't satisfy that need for story.
abbywebb's review
2.0
Greg Mortenson has an inspiring story to tell about working in Pakistan, building schools in poor, remote areas of the country. He has even begun to build schools in Afghanistan post-9/11, during a politically unstable time for Americans in Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, Mortenson either doesn't have great writing skills or he could not afford the time to write his story on paper, so he enlisted in the help of David Oliver Relin. Relin's writing takes away from the feeling of the book (or what it could have or should have been), either being too wordy or providing way too many insignificant details.
As long as the reader can see beyond the words on the page, he or she will uncover a brilliant tale of a selfless individual. I can imagine many Americans did not approve of or understand Mortenson's motivation to work in the middle East helping Muslims - particularly after 9/11. (I attribute this to the massive amount of hate mail Mortenson received during this time.) Nonetheless, he has accomplished many feats that the greater North American population can only strive to do, all the while helping people on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.
NB: I am pleased to say that I (finally) finished this book only an hour before my first class of the fall semester began, allowing me to officially classify it as being read in Summer 2009.
Unfortunately, Mortenson either doesn't have great writing skills or he could not afford the time to write his story on paper, so he enlisted in the help of David Oliver Relin. Relin's writing takes away from the feeling of the book (or what it could have or should have been), either being too wordy or providing way too many insignificant details.
As long as the reader can see beyond the words on the page, he or she will uncover a brilliant tale of a selfless individual. I can imagine many Americans did not approve of or understand Mortenson's motivation to work in the middle East helping Muslims - particularly after 9/11. (I attribute this to the massive amount of hate mail Mortenson received during this time.) Nonetheless, he has accomplished many feats that the greater North American population can only strive to do, all the while helping people on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.
NB: I am pleased to say that I (finally) finished this book only an hour before my first class of the fall semester began, allowing me to officially classify it as being read in Summer 2009.
sohare01's review
4.0
Great story of how one person can make huge changes in the lives of others just by getting out of his comfort zone.
danib11's review
4.0
A similar idea to Mountains Beyond Mountains...one man doing what he can. This time the man is building schools in Pakistan. Great read!