Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson

It is first of all, a very inspiring book. No superfluous language, just plain, simple English that brings home a very powerful message. The real picture of life in the villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan are painted vividly, describing the situations as the countries are thrown into war. While the media reports on what they consider to be “news-worthy”, taking the stories that are trickling down from those who may have been in the war zones, instead of actually going to check it out for themselves, one man wages his own war to fight illiteracy – to encourage and support education which he believes (and I agree) is the key to helping eradicate poverty. He goes to the impoverished country to climb a physical mountain and failing to do so, is suddenly faced with an altogether different mountain to climb, one that would challenge him beyond all belief but one that would put him on the path to finding his true purpose in life.
The thing that really stood out to me, among others, is the complete lack of guile in Greg. He was not trying to deceive these people. He had no airs about himself because he was a foreigner, he wanted no special treatment, he lived like the natives, slept and ate just like them in their poor state, dressed like them, learned their language, and most important, he always kept his promise. In return, they loved him!!! His story is awe-inspiring! You NEED to read this book. It will invoke in you the need to make a difference, however small.
“We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa