Three Cups of Deceit
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 Softcover edition | |
| Author | Jon Krakauer |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Greg Mortenson |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Byliner |
Publication date | April 20, 2011 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | e-book |
| Pages | 96 pp. |
| ISBN | 0307948765 |
| OCLC | 1033675717 |
| Preceded by | Where Men Win Glory |
| Followed by | Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town |
Three Cups of Deceit: How Greg Mortenson, Humanitarian Hero, Lost His Way is a 2011 e-book written by Jon Krakauer about Three Cups of Tea (2007) and Stones into Schools (2009) author Greg Mortenson. In it, Krakauer disputes Mortenson's accounts of his experiences in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and accuses him of mishandling funds donated to his charity, Central Asia Institute (CAI).
Krakauer was featured during a CBS 60 Minutes report on April 17, 2011, where 60 Minutes reporter Steve Kroft raised questions about humanitarian Greg Mortenson and the non-profit Central Asia Institute (CAI). Krakauer questioned the accuracy of events in Mortenson's book Three Cups of Tea and whether Mortenson was kidnapped by the Taliban in 1996 as described in his second book, Stones into Schools. Krakauer went on to question Mortenson's credibility through the financial practices of CAI. Krakauer had been a financial supporter of Mortenson's work and had previously donated $75,000 before becoming disillusioned with him and his management of CAI.[1] The 60 Minutes story largely retraced the conclusions Krakauer came to as described in Three Cups of Deceit.[2]
The book was released the day after the 60 Minutes piece aired, initially available on a limited basis at byliner.com for free download in April 2011.[3] It has since been released in a number of digital formats. The Kindle Single edition e-book rose to number one on Kindle Single's bestseller's list.[4] On July 1, 2011 the book was released as a paperback edition published by Anchor Books.[5] A much expanded, revised, and updated edition was published in November 2014.[6]
Reception
Krakauer has received both criticism and praise for the book Three Cups of Deceit. The e-book was described as both "Krakauer's fact-based gut-punch to Three Cups of Tea" and to "have a bit of a 'jilted lover' feel to it" by Chamber Four online book reviewer Marcos Velasquez, who congratulated Krakauer on the book's release.[7] A starred review in Publishers Weekly proclaimed, "Packed with interviews and anecdotes that undercut Mortenson's image as a cheerful do-gooder, Krakauer's account of good intentions gone horribly wrong is a stunning example of investigative journalism".[8] Critics of Krakauer's work, however, have said Krakauer's focus is in the wrong direction.
Marjorie Kehe, books editor for The Christian Science Monitor, stated in her article on Krakauer's book, "...having read and fully digested Three Cups of Deceit, I can still identify...fundamental truths in both of Mortenson's books, Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools." Kehe went on to state, "Most of us, if we had established one such school – or even played a part in doing so – might feel that we had justified our very existences by that act. Mortenson has done this many, many times over. I'm not saying that this makes any wrongs he has committed right. It doesn't. But it certainly ought to be weighed in the balance."[9]
As a response to Krakauer's allegations, CAI produced a comprehensive list of projects completed over a period of years and projects CAI is currently working on. The list was released in December 2011.[10]