Letters from Wankie (Friedberg) - Book Reviews

Book Reviews
A gorgeous, touching, tragic tale of a lost—but now, thanks to Patricia Friedberg—never forgotten time in a remote corner of colonial Africa.
Douglas Rogers - New York Times journalist and author, The Last Resort: A Memoir of Zimbabwe.


[A] delightful account of a plucky young woman who takes things as they come and makes the best of them. She effectively uses the device of letters to home.... Patricia's "voice" made me smile all through her account...like listening to a charming tale told by a good friend...a friend you have known forever. Well done!
Georgia Court -owner, Bookstore 1 (Sarasota, Florida)


What an adventure! I loved this book! I could not stop reading this honestly portrayed, exhilarating account...filled with humour and astute wry observations, this is a delightful trip into the past. A valuable slice of history that documents an era now washed away, an insight into a country which once was the jewel of Africa, and is now in ruins.
Paul Williams, Ph.D. - author of Soldier Blue


An inspiring—and most satisfying read.
Joan Kufrin - author, Uncommon Women and Leo Burnett, Star-Reacher


[M]ental scenery that is thought-provoking, instructs and entertains. Exceedingly well done and a pleasure to read.
Marilyn Pincus - author, ghostwriter and member of the Authors Guild


To a Wankie Lass from a Wankie Lass... I was so excited when James Archibald, a Wankie lad who introduced me to your book. He told me he had been in touch with you and that you are keen to hear from other Wankie folk about their thoughts on your book.... well here are mine.... I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!! 
Franky Rumbold - editor, Wankie Friends Newletter


 As a traveller myself, seeing what the world has to offer, your trip to Wankie, a million miles from London's East End, and 21 Aldgate, must have made you feel like Livingstone himself:  the flies, mosquitos, the chickens,  snakes, elephants and (my favourite) the warthogs, what an adventure. When we are young we do not know what life will throw at us, we do not know the journeys we will take. Take this road or that road and who knows how things will be and what effect it has on us, the Egyptians say "your life is written in the sand" so as we watch the sands of time flow through the egg timer of life we can only think of the paths and roads we take. Thank you for taking me on your journey through Letters From Wankie.  Mick Blunt - Maltby, South Yorkshire, England


Patricia Friedberg lived through World War II and the war in Rhodesia, and strongly believes we should think before deciding war is the only answer to far-off conflicts.  Friedberg has recently completed a memoir titled Letters from Wankie: A Place in Colonial Africa. Based on letters she’d written to her parents, the book chronicles Friedberg’s experiences while living in Rhodesia.... History can come alive when viewed through the eyes of people who experienced it. Patricia Friedberg’s books are proof of this, helping readers to relive the past and, hopefully, learn from it.
Jackie Minetti - St. Pete Beach Island Reporter (Florida)


Letters From Wankie is the charming and insightful true story of a young London bride's first two years of marriage in the mid-50's, spent as Clerk of the Court in the colonial town of Wankie, Rhodesia,
Patricia Kawaja - editor, Florida Page