Greg Mortenson’s inspiring book Three Cups of Tea has officially been nominated for the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

The book details Mortenson’s journey in Pakistan, beginning with his becoming sick and lost while climbing a mountain, and continuing with his building first a school, and then an institute, all with the goals of educating children and paying back the kindness he was shown. It does seem to exemplify exactly what the Nobel peace Prize is all about, and clearly the powers that be thought so.

Mortenson was apparently very surprised by the nomination:

He said he was “stunned” and “humbled” and considered it “a great honor,” but that the announcement put him in an awkward position.

“I thought nominations were supposed to be secret,” he said in an interview at his Bozeman home.

He then opened the Nobel Prize Web site on his computer and read aloud, “Two hundred to 300 names are submitted as nominees annually. And the names of the nominees are not revealed until 50 years later.”

But this time, word was out. Reporters from around the country were already trying to reach him for comment about the nomination.

You can bet that if he wins, signed copies of his book will increase in value.