The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban’s backyard Anyone who despairs of the individual’s power to change lives has to read the story of Greg Mortenson, a homeless mountaineer who, following a 1993 climb of Pakistan’s treacherous K2, was inspired by a chance encounter with impoverished mountain villagers and promised to build them a school. Over the next decade he built fifty-five schools—especially for girls—that offer a balanced education in one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on earth. As it chronicles Mortenson’s quest, which has brought him into conflict with both enraged Islamists and uncomprehending Americans, Three Cups of Tea combines adventure with a celebration of the humanitarian spirit.

#Just Amazing (2008-11-23) One of the most touching books I have read in a long time. It is just amazing how much we can do with a little bit of financial help to these NGO s like CIA. I have decided to become a regular contributor of these noble cause, just because of this book. You have to read it, you will never regret you did.

#Inspiring (2008-11-22) What an inspiring book! This is a great read about what one person can do with a vision and very little resources. His tenacity is incredible. Hooray for Greg Mortenson!

#Would have been a great article (2008-11-19) This is a tale about a remarkable man - unfortunately it is not very well written. Even tho the action takes place in different towns, it is basically the same story over and over. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in building schools for the poor in Pakistan and also as an aid to sleeplessness.

#3 and a half stars (2008-11-19) The story itself was quite amazing but I found it difficult to read at times. I think it could have been much shorter. . . I could not keep all of the people straight about halfway through the book. It must have been difficult to write this book with so many stories to tell but it bordered on boring and tedious at times. It would pick up for a while and then I d be bleary-eyed again a few pages later. I really liked the beginning of the story and felt connected to his mission and promise but then I started to think he was a bit off (good inten...

#No wonder it unanimously gets 5 stars (2008-11-18) Truly one of the most inspirational books I have read in awhile. The beginning of this book is a little slow, focusing on Greg Mortenson s climbing expeditions that eventually leads him to find the people of Korphe, and promising them a school. After coming back to the states and scrounging up funds from philanthropists, Mortenson goes back and builds many schools in various regions through Pakistan/Afghanistan/Waziristan. And the story of his determination and the struggles he goes through are extremely inspirational. There is no o...

This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. By turns rapturous and rueful, this wise and funny author (whom Booklist calls “Anne Lamott’s hip, yoga- practicing, footloose younger sister”) is poised to garner yet more adoring fans.

#Reading this book was just a waste of time and money! (2008-11-23) I really expected a lot more from this author as her book was advertised all over and became popular. I thought it can teach me something I don t know. But the whole thing was about this woman s shallow thoughts and feelings here and there and her boring journey with her exaggerating some unimportant happenings in her life and making an annoying cliche out of them. I forced myself to finish this book and could easily throw it in the garbage afterwards. I don t recommend it to anyone.

#Full circle (2008-11-20) This is brilliantly written in that it captures the emotion of the author giving the book substance. The narrative from beginning to end is clear. This is a book about transition , and none the less transformation , and solitude in the arm s of non medication, meditation. We see Elizabeth Gilbert transform from none the less a convoluted neurotic woman disturbed by a life awakening, a relationship break-up, to a very calm and peaceful soul by the end of the book. This book goes from low to high. Highly recommended.

#An Insult to Thinking Women Everywhere (2008-11-20) Sadly, the fact that this book is by a woman mostly aimed at women is embarrassing. This book was planned by the publisher and by the author, it was no true journey of the soul but more like a carefully crafted publicity angled journey. Gilbert has a problem with the Bible, but easily accepts the doctrines (teachings) of her Guru, the Balinese medicine man, and others, including written Hindu scripture like the Upanishads. The only doctrine Gilbert has any problems with is that which denies that there are many ways to God or tea...

#Love Hate Relationship (2008-11-17) I was loaned this book from a neighbor who also told me that the author was a selfish, self absorbed sorry excuse for a woman. . . but she also added it is very interesting because of her travels. . . Thus began the love hate relationship for this book. . . The authors style is witty but sometimes on the verge of droning. You want to read more about the mozzarella but then you endure through the self pity. The descriptions of Rome are enchanting as are the thoughts of leaving your life to simply learn a new language and indulge in a romantic cul...

#Not for everyone but highly recommended for some of you! (2008-11-17) I really enjoyed Eat Pray Love. I was shocked by how open the author was about her personal story. It s obviously not for everyone (see the range of reviews here) -- I think people who identify with some of the author s experiences will enjoy it more. I recommend giving it a try, if you do connect with her you ll probably find the story, and its lessons, very appealing and maybe even life-changing.

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children s imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn t stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an excitement addict. Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the fami...

#Deeply Disappointing (2008-11-21) After reading so many positive reviews for this book, I was deeply disappointed by the content and writing style. The four-word sentences and atrocious punctuation were torture for me. The author may have wanted the memoir to be from a child s perspective but the childish writing style was simply too much to bear. And this from a professional writer? Easily eighty percent of the commas could have been deleted from this book with only beneficial results. Also I found the book to be completely incredible. Walls describes in detail lighting he...

#One of the best books I ve read in 2008 (2008-11-20) Walls writes with a keen eye and a warm heart, I could not put this book down. Easily on my top 10 list, I plan to give this book to those readers on my Christmas list. Highly recommended!!

#an amazing story of courage and perserverance. (2008-11-18) This tear jerking tale was one that brought tears to my eyes. The fact that the tale is true is just as amazing as Janette Walls herself. Many people go through times in their lives where they need courage, and if they are lucky they find it. Janette Walls had a childhood and adult life that have both called for an abundance of courage. Infact it seams that was the one constant in her life, she is a person of amazing strength in both living her life and telling this humbeling story. I will keep this book forever and read it...

#Cant put it down!!!! (2008-11-18) Cant stop reading it and I am totally carried away by the value of Wall s family. The story is so touching and full of energy. Thumbs up!!!

#Best Book all year (2008-11-15) The Glass Castle is the best book by far I have read all year. I couldn t put it down one of those I can t believe she survived books! It is a wonderful story, tear-jerker, a must read and a great book club book, you will definitely come away with your own sense of thankfulness for your own well-being.

A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel. A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it. It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana . . . and an East Texas honky-tonk . . . and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda . . . an upscale New York gallery . . . a downtown dumpster . . . a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, this true story also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love.

#Don t catch and release this book too soon! (2008-11-20) Great book chosen/read for a book club (of all white women) I read this over a 4-day holiday and it brought me to tears a few times. It s emotional and historical, modern and joyful. I didn t feel the references to religion were so overt that someone like me (a non-practicing Catholic) was inundated to feel a certain way. I can relate to some of the books spiritual moments (from my own life) and it s interesting to see how they re written. My personal take away is a better understanding of the homeless persona, how my vo...

#Life Changing Story (2008-11-17) I could not put this book down once I got into it. It has enabled me to understand the true nature of God and I have become involved in a Church that has many stories that echo the story of Ron, Deborah, and Denver.

#Inspiring (2008-11-08) Wow. This was a powerful story on so many levels. It challenged me in my perceptions of people. It also convicted me about catch and release friendships. In ministry it is easy to view relationships as a means to share the gospel rather than a lifelong committment to a person. I don t think this is always wrong per-say, you can t be all things to everyone, but maybe God wants to do something more in both my life and the life of someone else. It is a powerful idea to start of thinking of truly loving and learning to trust to the point of becoming famil...

#Get out the tissues! (2008-11-02) Ron s wife, Debbie Hall was a woman called of God to step outside the boundaries of $1000 per plate charity dinners and high society to take follow in Christ s steps and take His love to the least of these. Devoting herself to working with the homeless community of Forth Worth, Texas, she related to those she met as individuals and people with a purpose, loving them for who they were. This flowing, authentic love was much more difficult for her husband Ron Hall to grasp hold of. Coerced into joining his wife s ministering efforts, his initial attemp...

#Powerful story of friendship and faith (2008-10-23) Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore is a different kind of love story. Two men, who couldn t be more different, are brought together by their love for one woman who has a powerful love for God. Ron Hall is a successful art dealer in Dallas, Texas when his wife, Deborah, hears a message from God to serve the homeless in a dilapidated shelter. He goes along with his wife, only for love of her. But when Deborah tells him that she has seen a vision of a man who will change the city with his wisdom, and that the m...

Bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver returns with her first nonfiction narrative that will open your eyes in a hundred new ways to an old truth: You are what you eat. As the U.S. population made an unprecedented mad dash for the Sun Belt, one carload of us paddled against the tide, heading for the Promised Land where water falls from the sky and green stuff grows all around. We were about to begin the adventure of realigning our lives with our food chain. Naturally, our first stop was to buy junk food and fossil fuel. . . . Hang on for the ride: With characteristic poetry and pluck, Barbara Kingsolver and her family sweep readers along on their journey away from the industrial-food pipeline to a rural life in which they vow to buy only food raised in their own neighborhood, grow it themselves, or learn to live without it. Their good-humored search yields surprising discoveries about turkey sex life and overly zealous zucchini plants, en route to a food culture that s better for...

#Pretentious and preachy (2008-11-13) I really wanted to like this book. I agree with the author in that as a culture we ve clearly gotten out of touch with living off the land and have become a fast food society. But I struggled to even get through the first chapter. The tone of the book is much too preachy and pretentious giving it a holier than thou feel. It s hard to get past that.

#You Take the Good, You Take the Bad (2008-11-07) I m only halfway through Kingsolver s book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, so it s possible I will have a skewed opinion. Anyway, Kingsolver opened my eyes to the plight of America s food problem. I d heard of things like HFCS (high fructose corn syrup), but I d never given it much thought. I sure will now. I appreciated her discourses about the garden, the cheesemaking, etc. The information about transportation costs, etc. given in the sidebars by Steven Hopp was excellent. I will, without a doubt, make many considerations in re...

#True Inspiration (2008-11-01) This book was a complete inspiration to get better connections with our food. As years go on, it seems we ve gotten further and further away from thinking about where our food comes from. This completely dials you in to the locavore movement, and just enjoying cooking/gardening again or in a new light. A great read for anyone who cares about what they put in their body!

#Don t Believe the Hype (2008-10-27) While the author makes many valid points about the benefits of consuming locally grown food, she is guilty of one (literally) fatal error: eating animals for food is neither necessary nor healthy for humans, the environment, or, of course, the animals themselves. Moving from a vegetarian diet to a flesh-based diet is not progress, either physically or spiritually, and teaching children that slaughterhouses are bad, yet killing and eating animals whom they know is perfectly acceptable, is unconscionable. Not only is our flesh-based diet destroyi...

#Terrific book! (2008-10-24) Barbara Kingsolver has struck a wonderful balance among educating readers about gardening, slow food, food science and telling a great tale of a family s adventure of local eating. The recipes are great, too!What a revelation to learn that we have all been anesthetized by the large corporations, whether they be the corporations that produce processed food, or the seed companies with their genetically modified terminator genes in the seeds. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and we have already made changes in our food shopping. Wish this great book were still ...