Three Cups of Tea, by David Oliver Relin

What can be said about Three Cups of Tea that hasn't already been said? Greg Mortenson has been picked apart because this story sounds like an over exaggeration of one man's talents. This book practically heralds him as a god. As others have pointed out, the book appears on its face to be co-written by Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. However, it soon becomes clear that the author of the book is Relin and he has a very slanted opinion of the man he is writing about. This book has begged the question of whether or not Relin/Mortenson are making up facts to please themselves or if Mortenson is truly out saving the world.

I should tell you that I read this book under duress. (Heh. Bookclub.) I had tried reading this book a few years back, when it was The Most Popular Book in Existence EVER, and couldn't get over the voice of Relin who clearly stands in awe of Mortenson. Then I later heard that the claims that Mortenson makes about his feats of bravery and self-sacrifice were actually hogwash. Apparently when 60 Minutes tried to investigate his claims, he expressed his desire not to cooperate which, again, begs numerous questions. At any rate - should you (by some miracle of the modern world) not have been made aware of this book, it is about how Mortenson raised funds to build a school for girls in "the wildest parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan." This story takes place before 9/11 and you have to keep reminding yourself of that fact as you read along because our post-9/11 world wouldn't allow for the half of the stuff Mortenson claims to have happened to actually happen.

Regardless of the facts, I take issue with two particular aspects of this story:

1. It's anti-American stance on every conceivable subject.
2. Mortenson's clear disrespect for the time of others, including that of the author himself.

As to point number one, I disliked the book for suggesting over and over again that Americans are closed minded nitwits who are so uppity about themselves that they pay no mind to the rest of the world. (Every country has its faults. Not saying that Americans are perfect. I'm just saying that we shouldn't always treat them as if they are collectively imperfect. You don't want us to generalize about other cultures? Don't generalize Americans either. All's fair.) Unfortunately I didn't bookmark the place where the author referred to "America's war" on terror as if it were all about us. After all the hype about Mortenson overlooking differences and (literally and figuratively) climbing mountains to obtain the ever elusive world peace, I was really annoyed. Who STARTED the war? We didn't bomb ourselves. I'm not saying that it's not good to be at peace with all men in so much as it is possible, but I do become frightfully annoyed when America is always painted out to be the big, bad guy and all other cultures and customs are thought to be superior somehow.

I'm glad and proud to be American. And we've paid dearly to remain the home of the free. (Well...considering your politics and the state of taxation...mostly free.) And we've earned the title "Home of the Brave" because we're loaded down with brave men and women who have fought to preserve this country. Why do we so easily brush it aside in some sort of facade based on intellectual pride?

Moving on . . .

2. Mortenson is apparently notoriously bad about wasting the time of other people. The author confessed that in the writing of this book, Mortenson seldom kept an appointment and was habitually late. The author proceeds to explain how you eventually overlook this fact about Mortenson because his brilliant compassion causes you to realize that Mortenson is really another species, high above the rest of humanity, and that his lack of manners should be excused.

Apart from what Mortenson may or may not have accomplished in building these schools, his personality is one that I could never get along with. He surrounds himself with people who think well of him and dismiss his flaws as being just part of the package that is Mortenson. His wife and his mother say that he operates on "African time" - which apparently involves coming and going as one pleases without ever looking at the clock. That might be a nice idea (in theory) of a way to live one's life but we also can't ignore the fact that Americans do run things by the clock. So whether or not Mr. Mortenson chooses to do so is rather irrelevant to me because by failing to acknowledge that other people have lives that they are also trying to live and be productive in, he is inadvertently claiming that he is the most important person on the face of the planet. He dismisses the fact that other people have responsibilities and cares and insists that everyone accept him just the way that he is and adapt. That is very selfish and flat out sinfully rude. Time is a valuable commodity and we've all been given tasks, jobs to do, responsibilities and goals that are our own and to take time out of one's life to give to another should be considered a gift. Mortenson squanders the gifts and time of others by making them sit around for hours waiting for him to show up for an appointment or by ignoring them completely when they've offered something of themselves for his work.

Mortenson has had to raise funds for the schools, obviously, and in the book it talks about how he decided to seek out rich investors so that he would be free to travel and work on the schools as-needed. Relin interviewed Mortenson's mother and she made the following statement in regards to Mortenson's efforts to make money:

"It just makes me sick to see Greg kowtowing to all those rich people," Jerene Mortenson says. "They should be bowing down to him." (Chapter 18, page 233)

Really? Bowing down to him? Because he has less money but Lives For a Cause? Does this make him better? Does this make him god-like, with a passport to do as he pleases? We've all seen this happen with others, no doubt. Someone says that they believe in something that they deem important and everyone around them is expected to get on board with the program come hell or high water. If we don't, then somehow we're in the wrong. Clearly, we have the incorrect mindset. We should give all of our money, time and energy to their cause because our own responsibilities must be nothing in light of their perceived notion of right and wrong. Mortenson's mother surely loves her son (a good thing!) but I think she places too much emphasis on his perceived importance.

On the whole, I'm neither impressed with Mortenson or this book. Character is more important to me than money or worldy successes. I'm not saying that his work is invaluable because I don't believe so. But I do believe that there are a great many people in this world doing good and valuable work and while it would be wonderful to hear their stories, one by one, I would be hesitant to say which life mission was the better. I think a sense of humility will carry a person a lot further than pride will. I believe that God can use any person on earth to accomplish His will, and that we shouldn't worry so much about patting ourselves on the back for what we do but purpose to do everything for the glory of God. If that is done, then purposes are accomplished - no matter what they might end up looking like through human eyes.

Would I recommend this book? Well, it's not a book that means very much to me because of Mortenson's treatment of others and Relin's clear fascination with his subject matter. It's hard to tell what is true and what isn't. The only thing that is clear, from the author's perspective, is that Mortenson is a better human than myself (and pretty much everyone that I know) and if you want to read about how much you and your concerns are worth absolutely nothing, then by all means - read this book!!!

P.S. If you are an American who has family serving in the armed forces to protect our freedoms, then this book might just flat out make you mad.