Madam, Have You Ever Really Been Happy?: An Intimate Journey through Africa and Asia

I loved this book. I read it cover to cover in less than two days. My hat is off to Meg, travelling alone to all those exotic places. We need to have more books about intelligent, capable, kind and independent women leading challenging and interesting lives.

I just finished reading Meg Peterson's wonderful book, Madam, Have You Ever Really Been Happy? I feel like I just got home from an around the world trip. Every page is full of information and so descriptive. I felt I was with her every step of the way. So well written. Such an adventurer.

Meeting Meg Peterson as she explores Africa, Asia and her own feelings about herself with a perceptive eye and a thoughtful upbeat spirit made me happy to think that at 75 there still is a lot for me to see and do in this world, and there is nothing that needs to hold me back. Thanks Meg.

Meg Peterson shows us her great personal story and tells us in a way that we don't want to put down the book. Its not only a travel tale, but a journey of self-discovery. Don"t miss it!!!

I knew I would like this book right off. The first paragraph got my attention when Meg described a woman catching up with her to ask this question after a gym class. "Is it true that you took a trip around the world---alone?" She said she'd heard this often. People thought she was doing a brave and courageous thing, maybe even a crazy thing, taking a trip around the world alone. Now that I've read this book, I find myself reflecting on it and see how Meg Peterson's journey through Africa and Asia had so many facets. It was a time to be alone, a time to make sense of important relationships, and a time to rediscover life and the world. She did do that. Sometimes with humor and often with gusto, daring and spice! I laughed when I read where she got her book title. Meg paints more than words with her descriptions. She paints entire scenarios. Through her words,I got to experience geographical and political conditions in far reaches of the world that I might never get to visit. She also shared fascinating conversations with many intriguing and colorful people. From her angle of vision, life is full of adventures even with all its pitfalls and glories. Finally, her book allows us a glimpse into the soul of another person, Meg Peterson, and sharing her story is what makes this book a page turner.