Three Cups of Tea

I'm in the midst of reading a very inspiring book called Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. It's the story of a failed attempt to climb K2 that led to a life dedicated to improving life in one of the world's most impoverished and dangerous places, the Karakoram Mountain region of Pakistan. Mortenson is the climber who, while being nursed back to health in the tiny village of Korphe, made a vow to come back and bring supplies to build a school to repay the villagers for their kindness. Little did he know that this promise would lead to his life's mission...providing education for poor village children, most especially to girls. His book, written in collaboration with David Oliver Relin, is filled with joy and despair, danger, adventure, beautiful scenery contrasted with abject poverty, inspiring kindness, and life lived at the very edge of survival. It's become a New York Times bestseller and has spawned the Central Asia Institute as well as Pennies for Peace. Both non-profit organizations work toward providing education based on cultural respect and understanding in this volatile part of our world. I recommend this book for not only its riveting good story, but also for its message that we all share in the responsibility of peace through knowledge and education.