What readers are saying:
“The book, in a lively voice, speaks to anyone who, like Ms. Peterson, has ever daydreamed over the inviting pages of National Geographic…”
The New York Times
Meg Noble Peterson was accepted by the Editorial Board of iUniverse into the prestigious Editor’s Choice program, and she has recently attained the Reader’s Choice designation. The following is an excerpt from the board’s review.
“This is a fine travel memoir. The narrative style is fully engaging. At times the language even verges on the poetic. The author masterfully leads the reader on two journeys—one outer, one inner. On the surface, there is the sojourn into ancient Egypt, Africa, and Asia. But underneath the surface lies the inner journey, which is the heart and soul of this book. Many readers will relate to the author’s desire to escape the “ties-that-bind,” and to explore the unknown by herself. The author’s courage to follow her passion will be an encouragement to others who feel trapped by various circumstances.”
“As a recent fellow traveler with Meg in Nepal, I can attest to her adventurous spirit, good humor, and extraordinarily fine company. Her terrific book captures that spirit, and anyone who reads it will no doubt be inspired by her journey. In print as in person, Meg is a wonderful companion.”Ron Pollack, Executive Director, Families USA
“You won’t be able to resist joining Meg Peterson on her solo journey through Africa and Asia. The star of this enthralling and utterly engaging memoir is a distinctive heroine with a unique voice. Meg is courageous, insightful, funny, perceptive, and richly observant of both our global landscape and the complexity of human nature.”
Candy Schulman, member of the writing faculty of the New School; widely published essayist whose work has appeared in numerous national publications
“Meg Noble Peterson is no ordinary tourist! Her unbounded curiosity and refreshing knack for observing and engaging everyday denizens of scary places like Zimbabwe, or the teeming cities of Bombay, Delhi and Cairo, or remote villages and footpaths in Nepal, makes for a travel page-turner of the first rank.
“Peterson is a vastly experienced, sensitive, even sexy, solo traveler who searches for what’s uncanny and distinct along the way. She finds the unusual on trains, buses and rickshaws; in minarets, marketplaces and on mountains; and in chance encounters and fast-budding friendships. In reality, few deserve the title “world traveler.” Peterson does, many times over. You’ll realize this early, on page one.”
Robert Rubright has written two hiking guidebooks for Backcountry Guides, Woodstock, Vermont. His television series, Walks and Rambles In and Around St. Louis was a fixture for years on the St. Louis regional PBS outlet.
“If Jack Kerouac had been more mature and a little more sober, and if he had been a woman, On the Road would have been a lot like Meg Noble Peterson’s Madam, Have You Ever Really Been Happy? It’s an adventure; it’s a wild ride; and it hits an emotional peak somewhere near the top of the world.”
Gary M. Shippy, President, Fleet Packaging, Inc.
“I am head over heels in love with this book. It gives me hope about life and people….”
Jane Beethoven, Textbook author, Scott Foresman Publishing
“Meg Noble Peterson’s book whisks you away to exotic places you may have dreamed about visiting, but had neither the time nor the opportunity to do it. In the pages of her book you can feel the heat of the tropics, shiver with the extreme cold of the Himalayas; enjoy the aroma of exotic flowers and strange food, or wrinkle your nose at the putrid odors arising from rotting refuse. However, it is the people she meets and with whom she interacts that truly make the book one you hate to put down, for you are eager to see who she will meet and what happens in the next few pages. It is a must read for all book lovers and armchair travelers.”
Doris Brewster Swift, author of: Life on Mississippi Street: The Post War Years 1919 1931; The Depression Years 1932 1941; and The War Years 1941 1945
“Every page is exciting and provocative….”
Carol Goodman, fiction writer, Best American Short Stories
“Meg Peterson’s new book is like a history book, a geography book
and a fast-paced novel all in one. If you have ever used one of Meg’s many Autoharp books you will enjoy this trip into her “other” life. She has a writing style that just sweeps you along into the adventure with her.”
Mary Ann Johnston, Editor, The Autoharp Quarterly
“Like a cartoonist, Meg Noble Peterson shows her artistry by quickly sketching in the outlines of the scene she is describing and then is fully absorbed in the situation of the moment. With deft strokes the story comes alive and the reader goes with her through her many adventures as a solo woman traveling in areas of Africa and Asia in the1980’s, where many angels feared to tread. There is a travel plan, which she unhesitatingly changes when the opportunity presents itself, and the reader goes with Meg feeling her sense of beauty, joys, and concerns, and her frustrations over the difficulties of traveling abroad. The book flows seamlessly from one adventure to the next, and is very satisfying for the armchair traveler.”
Dr. J. Richardson Usher, retired, is an historian, editor, and writer in many fields. He was Senior Editor, Sverdrup, Parcel and Associates, Engineers – Architects of St. Louis, MO.
“Meg led me on an absolutely wonderful journey! It has so many different faces—a well-written travel guide, a personal journal of events as they happened, and, most importantly, a philosophy of a way to experience life. Throughout the book Meg never fails to be truthful and insightful. She reflects on relationships and the meaning of what it takes to make them work well (or not), and yet always manages to maintain a sense of humor. This should be required reading for all women, especially unmarried ones! I enjoyed every minute of the journey.”
Coleen Walters, Musician, Fiber Artist, Mountain Laurel Autoharp Festival Board of Directors
