UK Books

This review should be taken seriously considering I didn't really like "The Rape of the Lock" and still give this book 5 stars!

"History is not a vacuum," one of my university history professors always told us. Neither is literature for that matter! This book examines the mock-epic poem "Rape of the Lock" in its social, literary, and historical contexts. The poem takes up a small portion of the book, and the rest is made up of diary entries, letters, essays, newspapers, etc. that help to explain the culture surrounding Pope. The city of London, clothes, card games, coffee, makeup, social norms, and countless other things are discussed in very readable and enjoyable ways in order to make "The Rape of the Lock" truly come alive.

This poem serves two purposes. First, Pope wrote it in response to an upper-class quarrel over an event at a party in which a young girl had her hair cut. The incident itself was petty and stupid, but the families of the parties involved were taking it very seriously. Pope, then, wrote this poem in epic form (the most grand of poetic forms) to show the absurdity of the matter, and thus reconcile the offender and offended.

That is the first function of this poem. Even though the incident is long forgotten, the poem is still very funny. But there is a greater purpose to this poem--it was written like an epic. It contains several epic elements--an epic battle (at the card game), the invocation of muses and gods, the epic quest (to cut the hair), and several literary devices, such as epic-length similes and catalogs. This is what makes this poem so great, and what serves as a testimony to Pope's remarkable genius for wit and satire.

Pope was, in my opinion, one of the greatest English poets, certainly the greatest satirist. This is one of his greatest works, and it is short enough to read over and over again without investing too much time.

This is a highly intelligent book on one of the finest poems by the eighteenth century's most celebrated poet. Brilliantly written with wit, style, and a flair for interesting detail, Wall's book includes textual information and a wealth of carefully selected secondary material that makes this "one-stop shopping" for anyone interested in the work or indeed in the period. Because of its combination of lively writing and scholarly erudition, I would recommend Wall's book for a wide variety of interest and knowledge levels. Wonderful Bedford series idea and terrific book.

I grew up on a steady diet of the Chalet school series - now I want my daughter to do the same. This book is one of a series - like M&M'S - once you eat one, you have to devour all.

"Rivals" is unique in that it deals not only with the Chalet School Girls, but with a entire new group: the students of "Saints", a new school across the lake that competes with the Chalet School in every way. The Chalet School girls, including Joey Bettany, must learn to deal with girls from different backgrounds and with decidedly different ideas and attitudes from their own. Through trial and error, between staff as well as students, the Chalet School makes way for the newcomers. This book also plays on the early married life of the founder, Madge Bettany, and her often mentioned twin, Dick Bettany.

The chronicle of Jo's last year as a Chalet School girl. We experience with Jo what everybody feels at that certain stage in life the reluctance to grow up and leave behind a carefree childhood and to emerge from it as a responsible adult.

Jo's last year and she is made head girl, is given the responsibilities that she loathes and really has to pull up and leave behind childish antics. There are difficulties all around with Robin's illness and the middles worse than ever and all this calls for a responsible Jo who can take command of all the varied difficult situations that the term holds for her, Jo really has to grow up.

I loved this book because I could relate to it and sometimes I could see myself in Jo's place facing the "change" that at first seems so horrid yet is the mysterious doorway to the second stage of our lives.

A Gorgeous edition and a must read for all those who don't want to grow up.

This is the 2nd book of a 2 book series. The first is The Infinity Concerto. My detailed rating would be 4.5 for this book. The main character (Michael) has completed his magical training, and now he has to use it. There is lots more of a story to this book compared to the first. What with meeting a nice girl, training an apprentice Sidhe, trying to force a peace between Sidhe and humans, and trying to save the world, Micheal has much to do. The main problem in the book is that the Realm, created by Tonn as a home for the Sidhe, is literally falling apart. So everyone there needs to find a new home, quick! And considering the history of this universe, there will obviously be cosmic problems with that. The book also includes a lot of film/film score/classical music scholarship. It doesn't interfere TOO much with the story. The book DOES answer some questions -- what IS the Loch Ness monster? But at the end I still have a few. What happened to Michael's horse? Why did saving Tonn's wife fall to Michael, not the Crane Women, or the Ban? In any case, this pair of books is quite satisfying when you reach the end. If you can't find the first book, this one stands on its own fairly well.

"The Serpent Mage" picks up shortly after Infinity Concerto leaves off. Michael Perrin is back home, living with his parents and continuing his training. Arno Waltiri has left his estate and the disposition of his papers and recordings to Michael. Waltiri has also left his house to Michael and eventually Michael moves in and begins to go through the papers.

Michael's desires for normality are shattered, however, when he reads a news story about strange bodies discovered in a nearby hotel - one grossly obese, one strangely mummified and in a party dress. Other news stories speak of "hauntings" around the world - Michael suspects that the Sidhe are coming to Earth. If that isn't enough, he is contacted by a musical faculty member from UCLA named Kristine Pendeers who is looking for the Infinity Concerto - Opus 45. She wants to discover and perform it; and she has a friend who, with the help of letters and papers they hope to discover in Waltiri's estate, hopes to finish Mahler's unfinished Symphony. And then play the two pieces together. Once the decision is made to start looking for these materials, Michael begins to fall under various attacks to stop him from completing these tasks.

Hopefully the bit of plot I outlined above doesn't spoil the book for anyone - I could hardly outline less without being so vague about the basic plot of the book as to be basically providing you with a meaningless synopsis of the plot; however, there is so much more to this book than the above. Greg Bear weaves through this story a fascinating new mythos about the creation and evolution, de-evolution and re-evolution of man and the universe that I found to be quite astonishing in its depth and breadth. He weaves in references to several world religions and ties them in to his mythos, showing how the original truth was "twisted" over the years to conform to what would best serve those in power. It's a really interesting device and I enjoyed the way it was woven in throughout the story.

There was only one thing about the story that bothered me and I'm not sure if it was because I misinterpreted what I was reading or if it is because of some sort of misogyny on the part of the author. It is mentioned several times through the course of the book that "magic is carried by the woman." However, not one single mage shown is a woman. If women carry the magic, why aren't there any female mages? Or, as I said, perhaps I am misinterpreting it, and by "carry" they mean like a recessive gene - they carry the magic, but cannot use it.

Whatever the case, "The Serpent Mage" nicely finished up the story begun in Infinity Concerto, creating the full story of Songs of Earth & Power: The Infinity Concerto and the Serpent Mage. I strongly recommend these books to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted fantasy/magical realism story. Very well done!

This is the 2nd book of a 2 book series. The first is The Infinity Concerto. My detailed rating would be 4.5 for this book. The main character (Michael) has completed his magical training, and now he has to use it. There is lots more of a story to this book compared to the first. What with meeting a nice girl, training an apprentice Sidhe, trying to force a peace between Sidhe and humans, and trying to save the world, Micheal has much to do. The main problem in the book is that the Realm, created by Tonn as a home for the Sidhe, is literally falling apart. So everyone there needs to find a new home, quick! And considering the history of this universe, there will obviously be cosmic problems with that. The book also includes a lot of film/film score/classical music scholarship. It doesn't interfere TOO much with the story. The book DOES answer some questions -- what IS the Loch Ness monster? But at the end I still have a few. What happened to Michael's horse? Why did saving Tonn's wife fall to Michael, not the Crane Women, or the Ban? In any case, this pair of books is quite satisfying when you reach the end. If you can't find the first book, this one stands on its own fairly well.

First of all, I'd like to say that anyone who gives this book less than 5 stars doesn't fully understand or appreciate how monumentally amazing it trully is. Second, those who gave it only one obviously can only read on a second grade level (that means a eight year old can out read you.) I will admit that the beginning is difficult, but it's like riding a bike. At first it's a little rough, but once you get into it you'll never stop. This book is filled with many wonderful and emotional stories. The words and mental illustrations used are phenomenal, and most of the best parts made me want to cry and shout to the world how ingenious Professor Tolkien was! Not only were the climaxes so awesome, but they were filled with emotion and power. And since this book is a history and therefore filled with many stories of great battles, heroes, and mighty deeds, the climaxes are many and never get dull. Trust me, when you really get into this book you will feel sorry for every person who gave this book one star because they aren't intelligent enough to appreciate the awesome power of this piece of literature. This is one of those books that you buy in the finest hardcover available and hire ten guards to keep it safe day and night! Don't be daunted by the vast number of names: they are important but memorization isn't crucial, and if you so wish you can use the 50 page glossary in the back. This book is a rare gem and should be read by every human being on the earth! I give it 100 stars out of 5!

I love it! I love it! I love, love, love it! Ted Nasmith's pictures are simply great and really capture the mood of the scenes described in Tolkien's "Silmarillion". These pictures are now decorating my walls and I hardly ever had anything nicer to watch at.

The crowning masterpiece of the greatest author of the 20th century, The Silmarillion can alternately break one's heart and stir it to excitement unlike any other literary work. The themes are familiar: courage, love, loyalty, obsession, greed, treachery, et al, but it feels to the reader as if one was encountering them for the first time in literature, by a master of the language, and the effect can be almost overwhelming: many are the passages that will effectively halt a reading until your tears are dried: Yavanna lamenting over the Trees, Fingolfin's hopeless duel with Morgoth, Finrod Felagund's "First Contact" with the Fathers of Men and subsequent death saving Beren, and Hurin's last stand at the Fen of Serech are just a few. I have owned this book since it was first published in the 1970s, and with each reading, my appreciation grows deeper, and my thanks to Tolkien more heartfelt. No one should be without this treasure.

Primo Levi's collection of short stories provides a strange and provocative exploration of science and life. It compels the reader to think about familiar things in unfamiliar ways. The Sixth Day is extraordinary.

This collection of stories is both intellectual, funny and poignant, and deserves reading at least once by anyone who values good writing and food for thought. Each story is different, but all resonate with a deep sympathy for the human condition and a gentle humour that willplace Levi within the range of anyone's favourite authors

this book is obviously fiction, but his style of writing so matter-of-factly makes these dreamed up stories so tangible. most of levi's work is non-fiction, autobiographical, always in first person. however, although still in first person, the sixth day is a subtle stretch from the rest of levi's work. like some kind of autobiographical sci-fi, almost believable, until you realize that what he's writing about is pretty unlikely, if not impossible. the book is full of several very original ideas, some of which totally blew me away. i recommend this book to any levi fan, anyone who enjoys a little intelligent escapism, or anyone just looking to read some excellent creative writing. a friend of mine turned me on to levi's writing, recommending this book specifically. it took me awhile to find it, so i ended up first reading another of his, titled "moments of reprieve", which was also great.

soft target 2 is every bit as good as Soft target, it draws you in with
wonderful descriptions of places,people and situations you feel like you are really there sharing in the excitement and fear. Can't wait for book 3.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Good starter for five, 30 April 2008
By Michael Watson "skirrow22" (Elland, England) - See all my reviews


A new author, a current terror topic and a fast-moving storyline. As a debut novel, the author has managed to create a scenario, mainly set in the UK which conveys to the reader just how easy it would appear to be to put in place a plan to hit 'soft targets' to cause maximum injury to innocent people.

That his team of anti-terrorist members deals with these so-called 'freedom fighters' in as harsh a way as possible seems a reasonable and appropriate response! The body count is enormous and perhaps glossed over a little too easily but, nontheless, I enjoyed the book and hope that the author can develop his characters as we progress through the next stories he has lined up for us.

I believe there are to be three books featuring this elite team. I look forward to the next.

I couldn't in all honesty knock off a star for the terrible proof-reading within the book but it does rankle when you're trying to follow the story and basic editing mistakes crop up. I did, at first, think I'd bought an uncorrected proof but apparently not! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Conrad Jones is an outstanding new author , 23 May 2008
By Gavvas "gavvas" (uk) - See all my reviews

Having just finished Conrad`s book Soft Target, all I can say is WOW! a very enjoyable book full of unexpected twists and turns that keeps you hanging on for more. I won't cover the story itself, that has already been done by other reviewers. What I will say is "BUY IT NOW" and make your own judgement, this guy has got talent and I look forward to reading his next book. New authors need our support. They are the ones who entertain us! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
What a great new author!!!, 10 April 2008
By Mrs. S. K. Blythe (Lincolnshire) - See all my reviews


Wow a new author and such a good first book.I was asked to read this by a family member,and I was pleasantly surprised. Shame about the typos but a very good book. Characters are very exciting and real, also great to see book like this set in places we can visualise.I cannot wait for the next book and wish Conrad Jones the very best and thank him for an excellent read. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Brilliant reading, 3 Jul 2008
By Tony D (Holyhead) - See all my reviews

I read this book on the advice of a friend who had already read it. What a great read it was, I couldnt put the book down and read it three days flat. Every page hooks you into turning it over and finding out what happens next. The ending was brilliant and gives you a real taste to read more from this author. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
Balanced and entertaining, 16 May 2008
By Melad (Sheffield) - See all my reviews

As a practicing Muslim I`m sometimes deeply ofended by the number of books being written about radical Islam. This book however is brilliantly balanced, it tackles the root causes of terrorism, the formation of the Middle East, the partition of Pakistan and the trouble that has raged ever since. The book is packed with well researched information that is weaved into a very addictive story line. Well done Mr Jones, I was most pleasantly surprised. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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14 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
To real, 21 Jan 2008
By Mr. Stanley T. Jones (Brighton UK) - See all my reviews


I always like fiction that has an element of factual information. The author has an in depth knowledge of the Islam situation, and states this from a number of perspectives. It results in a fascinating in-sight into the attitude and possible causes of the tension between Islam and the western world. The Anti-terrorist characters are authentic and the loci different from the norm -10/10. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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18 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
A Williams Holyhead, 24 Jan 2008
By Mr. A. J. Williams (Holyhead UK) - See all my reviews


I bought this book by chance based on the subject, it is a well researched well written book, and a very good read. It is the only book I have read that I can remember recently that can really be described as a" page turner". I would recommend it to anyone, and am very much looking forward to the next part of the story. The author obviously has a great interest in the background of terrorism, and this results in a detailed picture which makes the story facinating. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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10 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
Great debut novel, 2 April 2008
By Red (Aberdeen) - See all my reviews

I think was a good debut novel from a new author. I found each chapter left you wanting to know what happens next which a skill in itself. The main character Tank has plenty of milage in him I think. It reminded me of a Jack Reacher type character, if you like that type of story. The manuscript was a little rough but the book quality is excellent. I have seen this in Waterstones and Borders books for sale at £13.99 which is pricey for a paperback, but thats not a problem for us Amazon shoppers. Great read 10/10 debut. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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11 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
A great read, 20 Jan 2008
By Ms. S. G. Howell (warrington, uk) - See all my reviews


This book gripped me from the start. It is a frighteningly real piece of fiction which is impressive from a first time author. Conrad Jones is definitely someone to watch for the future. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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11 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
Gripping read, 1 April 2008
By Ms. B. L. Gillinder (Southport) - See all my reviews


A great story line and a riviting read that I couldnt put down. The characters were real and believable. Cant wait for part 2

Conrad Jones, Biography.

Conrad Jones is a 42 year old Author from the Welsh port of Holyhead, who lives in Warrington, Cheshire. He worked in senior management at McDonalds Restaurants Ltd from 1989-2002. On march 23rd 1993 he was managing the Restaurant in Warrington`s Bridge St when two Irish Republican Army bombs exploded directly outside the store, resulting in the death of two young boys and many casualties. Along with hundreds of other people there that day Conrad was deeply affected by the attack, which led to a long term interest in the motivation and mind set of terrorists.
Later years turned his focus to tensions in the Middle East and beyond. The rise of Islamic Extremism and its determined Mujahideen fighters is the focus of Soft Target, which was published and is selling well despite not being represented. The title and the Author have been featured in six regional newspapers, and three BBC Radio interviews.
The Soft Target novels are based around a character called John Tankersley, nicknamed Tank. He is the lead agent of the Terrorist Task Force, which is an elite Special Forces group tasked with wiping out terrorist attacks internationally. One novel is selling but is still the property of the Author. Soft Target Two is now published, and three has been completed, and is in the publication process. Conrad feels that `Tank` has any number of potential plots left, and will have completed volume four before Christmas,2008.
In June 2007 the author and his wife, Ruth were enjoying an extended holiday in Florida, USA. The trip was interrupted by the shocking news from home that their home had been burgled, and everything had been stolen. At that time the author was self employed, and his work van, tools, and essential machinery had been lost to the thieves. The UK at the time was suffering from severe flooding in York, and the South West, making insurance claims extraordinarily difficult. Rendered unemployed Conrad and his wife took the gamble of a life time, and agreed that the author should start writing `Soft Target` while they were still abroad. Bearing in mind that the author had never written so much as a letter for years, by the time they arrived back in the UK eight chapters had been penned by hand. Twelve months later three novels have been completed, and a fourth is in progress. More to the point its readers are enjoying the novel !!
Jonesconrad5@aol.com/ conradsbook.com

This is the action packed sequel to `Soft Target`. When I bought it from amazon I was worried that it would be hard pushed to match the supersonic pace of the first book, but there was no need to be concerned.
`Tank`, (John Tankersley) and the terrosit taskforce have to deal with the kidnap of a Saudi Princess from a university in Chester, England. She is taken from a summer ball on a floating riverboat venue, which is blown up to cover up the kidnap plot. The blame is put square at the doorstep of Islamic terrorists, however all is not what it seems. The plot twists through every chapter at breakneck speed, completely unput downable !! The nefarious terrorist leader Yasser Ahmed is located in the mountains of Daghestan, and Tank and the taskforce have to make a secret operation incursion into the Soviet Block to try to bring the terrorist to task. The taskforce characters are becoming like old friends as the `Soft Target` trilogy reaches its second edition. Although the books follow a common thread, they also stand alone as novels. Seldom are sequels better than the first book, but I`m hard pushed to say which one was the better read, one thing is for certain, if you read the first book then you will read this one, and the third one cannot be published quickly enough for me. Conrad Jones is currently sitting as my number one thriller writer, without a doubt.

"Space and Eternal Life" is a profound dialogue between eminent astronomer Chandra Wickramasinghe from Sri Lanka and Daisaku Ikeda, a Japanese scholar and president of the worldwide Buddhist organization called Soka Gakkai International. Both are world renowned poets, Mr. Ikeda having even been named a poet laureate of Japan.

In his foreward to the book, Sir Fred Hoyle states, "Many challenging problems face humankind as we approach the dawn of the new century. This book expolores some of these problems.... "

In closing the discussion, Ikeda states, "The advance of astronomy and unfolding of cosmology will expand humanity's awareness so that it encompasses the entire Earth.... "

This book, "Space and Eternal Life" is incredibly diverse in its range. It is essentially a dialogue between Chandra Wickramasinghe, an internationally renowned astronomer, and Daisaku Ikeda, leader of Soka Gakkai International, the world's largest Buddhist organization.

In this dialogue, the two men probe some of the deepest aspects of our existence. They touch on everything from Religion to Near-Death Experiences to Nuclear Weapons to AIDS to the Big Bang Theory and more.

As the dialogue unfolds, both the Buddhist viewpoint and an astronomer's view of the world are expressed, side by side, with interesting comparisons between the two.

While at first sight Buddhist philosophy might seem to lack the advantages of the empirical methodology of science in its exploration of the physical world, Buddhism's treatment of psychology, including the idea of many states of consciousness, appears to be remarkably sophisticated in modern terms.

This book also shows how ancient Buddhist ideas of cosmology are in tune with modern scientific thoeries. Fascinating through and through.

An inspiring read for those interested in the relationship between the "real world" of our everyday life and the more complex questions of our existence. Both authors speak with respect, understanding and courage about life in the past (and next!) century. It was interesting for me, a layperson in matters of both science and religion, to feel a strong connection with such complex thinkers. I appreciate philosophical discussion that doesn't leave your heart cold -this fits the bill nicely.

It's amazing how this man push the result of the French Revolution and make it a reality, from monarchy to democracy, not only in Europe but around the world.

This is the second installment of the four-part Gallo biographical and semi-fictional account of Napoleon Bonaparte. It accounts for the time of Napoleon's return from Egypt to the day of his coronation as Emperor of France one year after the victory at la Bataille des Trois Empereurs.

I can only really repeat what I have said in other reviews - that this series is essential reading for anyone interested in the interior view of Napoleonic events as seen through the eyes of Napoleon himself. Because it is such an incisive interior view, the reader who is not already knowledgeable about the major events must read some kind of historical anthology along with these books to make any real sense of them. I promise, however, that this targeted syntopical reading will pay big dividends in providing a low cost/high benefit perspective on the age.

For the truly ambitious, I also recommend getting a copy of a book that surveys the Marshals of France and another that canvases the love interests of Napoleon. With all that, a great deal of pleasure and comprehension can be achieved from the reading.

For those already sophisticated in Napoleonic history, the books offer a unique perspective that is missing almost everywhere else. The books can be read along with viewing the DVDs of the four-part A&E adaptation. Personally, the books are much better. However, the movie does deliver voices and characters to the written story.

You cannot go wrong reading these books. They are well crafted and interesting. I am done reading all of them and, sad to say, looking for something as good and as insightful.

For some reason everyone is more interested in the end of Napoleon these days than in the glories and struggles that went before. I guess maybe because the 200th anniversary period is running its course and all the knowing authors want to be positioned for the culmination of the all-European celebration of the age now ongoing.

Well, we still have seven years till the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, so there is plenty of time to catch up for the glory now in store.

So get cracking. Read my other Gallo reviews, and if you like, review my lists that apply to the great age of France, when Western Civilization passed from the Enlightenment to Romanticism, and when the political makeup of Europe passed from the hands of royalty to the complexities of democracy.

This book is essential to the whole story because it is a microcosm of the age. From the heat of the Pyramids, Napoleon rises from a common soldier to the Emperor of Kings. It is a kind of Horatio Alger story that almost cannot be believed.

I was really impressed by how a little boy of nine years old, became a big man who changed the history of this world!this book made me thinking of many things,like...me for example.

I really luuuurve this series. Rennison captures what it's like to be a spazzy young teenage girl. The trip in the middle of the book to Hamburgeragogoland was very funny. The whole thing with Massimo reminds me of something I nearly went through (though as a freshman in college). I opted instead for my version of Dave the Laugh.

This book is soooo hilarious it never fails to crack me up!!
Join Georgia on her quest to find her love Masimo the "Italian stalion" in hamburger ago-go land! With her Embarrasing family and her little sisters strange dolls, you have to feel for Georgia as she tries to cope with mad family life AND keep her boy entrancers on!!
great teen read

This book along with the previous sequels is about a English girl called Georgia and how she deals with her love life, so-called boyfriends, friends, and an extreme wierd funny family life. In this sequel she goes on a holiday to Hamburger-gogo land in search to find her luurve Masimo. I really liked this sequel as it was very funny and can't wait to read the next one to find out if she would officialy be Masimos girlfriend. (Even though i think Dave the laugh and her should be together).

Do you believe that a personal story built on facts can persuade you to view the world differently? If your answer is `maybe' or `what do you mean?' or `yes' then I invite you to consider Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time. If you live in America, and do not yet know of Greg Mortenson, you need to hear his story and his larger-than-life dream.

Prepare to be entertained. Prepare to be wowed. Prepare to ask yourself, `is this guy breathing the same air I breathe?'

This is an adventure story way beyond "adventure." If you know a serious mountain climber, for example, you probably recognize his or her capacity to subordinate their basic human fears; don't know about you; in a world of X-games, that kind of adventure doesn't impress me so much anymore. However, that's where Greg Mortenson's story begins, climbing K2 in the Himalayas, and that's where Mortenson fails. It's in his failure and the resulting debilitating weakness that he resolves to go after a dream that requires more courage and grit and heart than any mountain climb.

What he discovers is the beauty and kindness and generosity of a people that we in America would instinctively (1) mistrust - they're Muslims, (2) minimalize - they're poor and uneducated, and (3) not connect with - they are very different from us Westerners - most of the folks Greg comes to know and work with have ancient customs they live by in making decisions that seem to ignore time or efficiency or modern advantages.

The political landscape of the mountain regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan and other parts of central Asia can fairly be described as unfriendly and unwelcoming to an American with a northern European heritage. In fact, it seems to be THE source of our `terrorist problem' today. And yet, Mortenson figures it out. He goes where military operatives have tried and failed. How? Well, that's why you need to read Three Cups of Tea.

Greg Mortenson's determination to realize a dream of schools for girls in the rural mountain communities of central Asia is a living breathing bigger view of life, a deeper, more compassionate understanding of human nature, and a clearer picture of what we all can do to make this world a better place and a safer place for our grandchildren.

If you read (or listen) to one book or 30 books in the next twelve months, make sure you read Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...one School At a Time [Mp3] [Audio Disc] [Unabridged] [Audiobook].

One of the best books I've ever read. It is beautifully written - a door is opened to you on a precious culture, a way of life, and a people that face their many challenges bravely. We are welcomed in and inspired by this story. One cannot read this book and harbor narrow views of the people of Pakistan, Afganistan or the Islamic world. One cannot read this book and not want to make a contribution to the ongoing development of schools and other necessities to reach the peoples of these lands.

The book three cups of tea, is a story of monumental dedication and superhuman efforts to build schools for people who had no hope of education. An inspiring story for any age.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. In retrospect, it is difficult to imagine the difference a single person can make. Dr. Greg Mortenson is building schools in the most hostile situations and is the real hero for America and people world wide.
This book is a must read because it truly gives a glimpse of the world we are mostly unaware of.
Greg fought against all adversaries - fatwa, kidnapping and being caught between a free for all shootout. These are extraordinary situations and require extraordinary character to work under those circumstances.
Some readers complained that the book went back and forth between US and Pakistan quite often and the reading is not clean. I disagree. The book is very well written and the back & forth is not much different from hos own life. He is living in two parallel worlds, working under bullets half a world away away from his family to make a difference.

His is the right way to fight evil - through education. I wish there were more like him.

I think the least we can do is read the book and educate ourselves about the real problems and real solutions to the current menace (terrorism, poverty, depravity) around the world.

Third cup of tea is a gesture in certain cultures to accept another person as part of the extended family.

This is such a great book that I do not want to (and cannot) write a feedback about the book and will only encourage you to read it.

Of all the people I have had the pleasure to meet or read about, Greg Mortenson is the most heroic by far. This book is an incredible read but not near as incredible as what this man has done and continues to do. He's fighting terror and violence at its source by actually not fighting. Not threatening or pushing or forcing. Instead by listening, learning and then acting out of sincere compassion and understanding, not a hidden agenda. And thats why he is so credible. His risks are greater then I can imagine but he's sketched out a path to peace that seems far more effective then any governmental intervention. This story proves that even today incredible changes are possible just by starting with a sincere caring for other people. There's hope for us yet!