Three Cups of Tea 
 Authors:  Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

Greg Mortenson : A mountain climber, former US army medic, and humanitarian from Montana who started the Central Asia Institute..

David Oliver Relin: The author who wrote the book.

A serendipitous journey for Greg Mortenson as he stumbled his way out of the K2 climbing expedition to find himself in a little village of Korphe high above in the mountains. The people, the landscape and their life stole his heart and mind from then on. A quest, journey begins for him taking him from one part of the continent to the other. A single minded determination to build one school in the remote wilderness of Pakistan and Afghanistan, took him on a long journey ending with 55 schools.

Greg attempted to climb K2, the world’s second highest mountain in memory of his deceased sister Christa’s in northern Pakistan. Their climb was interrupted by a life-saving ordeal of their friend which zapped most of their energy forcing them to abandon their climb. The tired Greg found himself in Korphe a small village built on a shelf jutting out of the canyonside. He was greeted and taken care of by the village head man Haji Ali. That was when Greg promised to build a school for the remote village. He spent time trying to raise money after coming back to California and ultimately convinces Jean Hoerni a Silicon Valley pioneer, to form the Central Asia Institute which took on the task of building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

David Relin the co-author recounts Greg Mortenson’s journey when he faced daunting challenges in his personal life, his relationships, his excruciating efforts at finding funds, convincing the mullahs with archaic ideologies but with hearts of gold, separation from family, a kidnapping….the Taliban, 9/11...and so on.

A compelling read, very humbling and inspiring showing what stuff pioneers are made off and what can be achieved by putting the heart and mind behind the quest. Greg Mortenson ultimately overcomes the cultural divide and achieves his dreams. David Relin the journalist writes the story from his perspective as an observer.

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·         Kiriyama Prize - Nonfiction Award -2007

·         Time Magazine - Asia Book of The Year -2006

·         Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association - Nonfiction Award

·         Borders Bookstore - Original Voices Selection

·         Banff Mountain Festival - Book Award Finalist

·         Montana Honor Book Award

·         NY times bestseller list