Letters From Wankie

"Letters from
Wankie" is a unique true story based on the collection of some 500 air
letters the author, British-born Patricia Friedberg, wrote home to England in
the mid-1950s, during the first two years of her marriage to her South African
physician husband. Together the newlyweds moved to the remote mining town of
Wankie in the far northwest corner of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he
was employed as a colliery doctor. More than 50 years later, after her mother
passed away, Patricia found among her mother's papers the bundle of air letters
neatly tied and safely stored.

Reading through the
collection it was evident that the letters contained an incredible, historical
account of life during the colonial years as seen through the eyes and writings
of a young woman, twenty years of age, who was, unbelievably, even to herself,
employed as Clerk of the Court at the Native Commissioner's Office. Despite the
enormous cultural differences the young Londoner faced -- the challenging and
often shocking exposure to tribal practices and native law -- she carried on,
overcoming obstacles with spunk and grit and a saving sense of humor.

 PRAISE FOR "LETTERS FROM WANKIE"
"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 of "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

"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 was once the jewel of
Africa, and now is in ruins." --Paul Williams, Ph.D., author of
"Soldier Blue"

 "An inspiring -- and most satisfying
read." --Joan Kufrin, author of "Uncommon Women" and "Leo
Burnett, Star-Reacher" ". . . mental scenery that is
thought-provoking, instructs and entertains. Exceedingly well done and a
pleasure to read." --Marilyn Pincus, bestselling author, ghostwriter and
member of the Authors Guild, New York, NY