Three Cups of Tea Author Greg Mortenson Questioned

Author Greg Mortenson wrote his life story in his book Three Cups of Tea. The book has sold millions and raised tens of millions of dollars for his charity. However, in a CBS “60 Minutes” report last Sunday night, there have been questions citing accounts that contradicted essential parts of Mortenson’s story, and calls into question the way funds are allocated by the charity.

You may watch the story below:

“60 Minutes” posted Mortenson’s response on its website:

60 Minutes’ question: Did you really stumble into Korphe after failing to summit K2? The two porters who accompanied you on your journey down from K2 have told us you did not. We have three other sources that support the porters’ accounts. The evidence suggests that you did not step foot in Korphe until a year later.

Greg Mortenson: Yes, I first visited Korphe village, Braldu valley, Baltistan, Pakistan, after failing to summit K2 in 1993, and met Haji Ali, a long time dear mentor and friend. My second visit to Korphe was in 1994. I made two visits to Korphe in 1995, the year we built the bridge over the Braldu River. And I again made two visits to Korphe in 1996, the year we built the Korphe School.

Question: Were you kidnapped for eight days by the Taliban in Waziristan in 1996? Three of the men in the photo you published in “Stones Into Schools” deny that they kidnapped you and say they are not Taliban. We have two other sources of information that support their account.

Mortenson: Yes, I was detained for eight days in Waziristan in 1996. It was against my will, and my passport and money were taken from me. I was not mistreated or harmed, but I was also not allowed to leave. A blanket was put over my head any time I was moved by vehicle. A “Talib” means student in Arabic, and, yes, there were Taliban in the region. Waziristan is an area where tribal factions and clan ties run deep. Some people are Taliban, some are not, and affiliations change overnight often on a whim. The Pathan people of Waziristan are proud people who I greatly admire. In speaking to American audiences, I often talk about my admiration for their concepts of Pashtunwali, their unwritten code of honor and conduct, and Nenawastay, hospitality.

Note: Amazon store offers 46% discount of the book: Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time.