I saw Greg Mortenson speak in Miami in July last year and was captivated by his story. Each delegate at the conference were given a copy of Three Cups of Tea (the young adult version) and a hardback copy of Stones into Schools. I thought this was very generous of the publisher, but according to this exposé, Mortenson usually buys the books for such events using his charity's funds, so that (a) he can receive royalties (not his charity, mind!), which he wouldn't if the publisher donated the books or if they were bought at wholesale prices and (b) the books can stay in the bestseller lists. This is appalling and I would like to find out how the books I received were procured. I am going to write to the conference organisers and I'll update this review if I get a response.

This title is an excellent piece of investigative journalism and is divided into three sections: one section exposes a number of myths/lies in Mortenson's books, one section deals with the financial fraud and malpractice of his charity, and one section deals with the failures resulting from him trying to run everything as a one-man show. It's distressing reading and has made me feel angry and upset about being taken in so easily by Mortenson last July. Like Krakauer, I hope the charity itself can continue, but with proper management and accounting practises. I also hope something will be done about the financial fraud that has been going on for years.

Unlike Mortenson, who receives all the royalties from his books, whilst his charity funds his personal travel and buys the books being given away at events, 100% of Jon Krakauer's proceeds from the sale of Three Cups of Deceit will be donated to the "Stop Girl Trafficking" project at the American Himalayan Foundation.