3.5 stars

Greg Mortenson was climbing K2 when he got lost on his way down and came across a small village in Pakistan. He decided he wanted to help the children there - the girls in partcular - by building them a school, as they'd had to learn outside. It took him a number of years and back and forth between the U.S. and Pakistan to get that first school built. Once he got going, he wanted to help more and more girls and villages in Pakistan - to build more schools to educate the children.

I wonder if I would have enjoyed the book more without the taint around it. Not knowing how much of the book was true was at the back of my mind the entire time I was reading. It was still a good book, but I do wonder if I would have enjoyed it more had I read it earlier on, before the question mark around the book appeared. I am planning to follow this up with Three Cups of Deceit, as well.

This story is truly inspirational and makes the reader look inside themselves to understand what true conviction and dedication means to a cause.
This story speaks to the heart's of those that want to help people around the world to share with developing nations the things we take for granted like water, shelter and most importantly education.
It's a message about teaching and educating the masses to fight the development of wars through ignorance.
A highly recommended read for those who are looking for ways to understand a bit more about global politics and a man's tremendous journey to work from a different angle to better the live's of all who come in contact with him.

This book is broadening, uplifting, full of suspense, and anyone can become part of the action. It was recommended to me by a fundamentalist conservative. I'm not religious and a political progressive and I loved it, too. I have bought two additional copies for gifts and am sure I will buy a whole lot more, because it is a gift you can give to anyone.

I'm really disappointed in this book. It got so many great reviews, and the story is so amazing, but the writing was awful. I made it halfway through this book and haven’t touched it since, and I don’t think I will ever pick it back up.

Fantastic book with a truly inspiring story. One mans drive and determination actually helps change the lives of thousands in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. His wife Tara shows exceptional strength as well. Couldn't put it down!

This is an excellent story about dedication, commitment, and challenge in doing "what should be done" in parts of the world where doing anything can be as difficult and nearly impossible. Yet, where even the smallest achievement can produce generations of positive change for the better. Every member of any "first world" should read this book and take a page from what Greg Mortenson has done. An excellent read. I recommend it highly.

I can't say enough good things about this book. This is a book I think everyone should read. It really gives such an amazing and different perspective. I have recommended this book to everyone I know. The moment I finished it I immediately made 3 separate phone calls to friends and family insisting they read this book immediatly. You must read this book.

This book cannot be rated highly enough. Both for its content and its inspirational message. Every individual can make a difference in this world, all it takes is determination and dedication. This book was absolutely wonderful, it made me feel like making a difference is within my reach, like I could conquer any obstacle in my path to do so. Absolutely amazing. If we all did even 1/1000 of what Greg Mortensen did, humanity would really shine.

Although the work is commendable, the writing is absolutely horrible!

Greg Mortenson is an amazing man and everyone should know his story. His accomplishments are inspiring and his attitude is a good example for the human race.

This story takes us into the little known heights of northern Pakistan. Greg is on a mountain climbing expedition and gets lost. Near death, he is rescued and taken in by a local village. This experience is the beginning of a transformation that turns Greg from a thrill seeking climber to a world class humanitarian. It certainly wasn't an easy transformation as he had to overcome many challenges along the way from a lack of resources to religious opposition and violence.

This is an amazing read but I only have one criticism about the book. As a casual/intermediate reader I found that the journalist who authored this book did not do a very good job writing it. He had too many run-on sentences which disrupted the flow of the book.

Definitely recommended for everyone.

This book was so riddled with facts and dates that I almost felt as if I was yawning my way through history class. I heard so many great reviews about this book that I had to read it myself but was utterly disappointed when the book started to read like an encyclopedia; it is this that ruined the book for me.

Things were going really badly in my life... teenager who had a major rebellion just as I started reading this. BUT, I just felt like... it made me think STILL how fortunate I am, how fortunate my 2 girls are. That my worse worry was 'Why my teen girl was acting like a hateful little pre-teen', and the worse worry of these mothers is "Will my daughter die young? Will she starve to death?" Or they can just pray she will marry someone who won't beat her or kill her. JUST an amazing insight into the 'bigger picture'. Humanity can be so often overlooked. It can be taken for granted. I also learned a TON about a world I am still quite ignorant about.
It made me do some soul-searching, and it was uplifiting. A MUST-READ I think for adults and women (young and old) everywhere.

I recently read this book for our book club meeting. Everyone (except for 1) really liked it. Certainly, it wasn't beautifully written, but the story of someone who endures all kinds of obstacles (that would normally stop a person dead in their tracks) to help a disadvantaged people halfway across the world is nothing short of remarkable. I am moved by the idea that one person took it upon himself to rally members of the Westernized world to help a poor nation to build schools and assist children who really want to learn. I was particularly touched by the moment that Greg describes where he sees the children gathered together, using their makeshift chalkboard in their "class".
Greg Mortenson placed himself in situations that are not for the faint-at-heart. This story has inspired me to do more to help others, and to try to step out of those boundaries that might normally stop someone from helping others for fear of being used or taken advantage of.

The world needs more Greg Mortensons! I

The description of someone simply doing the right thing, despite kidnapping, an excruciatingly slow start, and corruption. There is now word to describe the deeds Mr. Mortensen in doing in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Men like Mortensen, and women like his wife Tara Bishop, should be celebrated and supported much more than our current idols. If we invested jus 1% of the annual NFL budget in these people, the world (and North America) would be a safer, more just, and more humane place. Hopefully someone can convince the powers that be that the CAI or Mr. Mortensen himself deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

I greatly admire the dedication with which Mortensen pursued his cause. It gave me a glimpse into a world I know absolutely nothing about; a world I actually never cared to know anything about.

I was left with a vaguely unsettled feeling though. These people whom Mortensen helped - who grew to love him - still referred to him as an 'infidel' because he is not muslim. It has given me alot to ponder.

Our book club recently read this book after hearing so many good things about it. Unfortunatley we were suprised by how much we didn't like it. 5/10 for the most of us (10 members) . While we love what he does for the children we had trouble getting past the terrible writting and Mortenson's need to continual credit (hopefully this is not true and is only the writting.) Couldn't recomend this.

This book was absolutely amazing!! It was a phenomenal read! As a female who has always loved school, this book spoke to me on so many levels. I firmly believe education of girls is critical. I'd encourage you all to read Mortenson's first book, you won't be disappointed!

It's a wonderful story and his dedication is a lesson to us all. I would have liked though to have less about the materials/geography and more about the effect it had personally on the people. Less about how to build a school and more about the girls who attended.

His dedication was just overwhelming, can't wait for his next book.