King Peggy: An American Secretary, Her Royal Destiny, and the Inspiring Story of How She Changed an African Village
by Peggielene Bartels & Eleanor Herman
Publisher: Doubleday
Publication date: 02/21/2012.
Biographies/Memoirs, 352 pp.
Number of reader reviews: 24 Readers' Consensus: 4.5
King Peggy
What an uplifting book about the village of Otuam and it's king - Peggy Bartels. Although she has been chosen to be king in Africa, she still works at the Ghanan embassy in Washington as a secretary who uses whatever she has to improve conditions in her village. The elders in her council are used to stealing, drinking, and carousing without limits - and think they can control Peggy because she is a woman who lives in America. When Peggy comes to power, she thinks only of improving her country by bringing education, clean water, and better living conditions. She will remind you of Mme Ramotswe in the Alexander McCall Smith series - a wonderful story set in Botswana. But King Peggy's story is real.
Rated of 5
by Elaine G. (West Lafayette, IN)
KING PEGGY
The author encompasses the persons throughout human history who have and are creating and maintaining that which the word civilized at its most basic means. A joy to read.
Rated of 5
by Maggie (Brookfield, VT)
Sit back, relax, and enjoy!
King Peggy is one woman I'd love to have sitting in my living room for an evening of good talk. Her story is eloquently written. It is endearing and enduring. The words flow comfortably and I had a hard time putting it down!
Rated of 5
by Anna R. (Oak Ridge, TN)
A story to Remember
King Peggy gives new meaning to the phrase "what one person can do." She takes her "Kingship" seriously and does the almost impossible to help her people. I was amused and horrified at some of the things her council did to line their own pockets. This is an amazing story. I want to hear more about King Peggy.
Rated of 5
by Donna W. (Wauwatosa, WI)
King Peggy
Peggy Bartels, born in Africa but living in America for 30 years, was awoken one morning with the news that she is to be the next king of Otuam, where her family had originated hundreds of years earlier. What follows is a delightful true story rich with the customs, beliefs, superstitions, and way of life of the people living in this area.
The story of what Peggy accomplishes is nothing short of amazing. The book is full of many interesting characters, and the often dire situations are described with a good deal of humor. This is a wonderful, uplifting story.
Rated of 5
by Joan V. (Miller Place, NY)
A real number one lady
If you like A. McCall’s “No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” books you will really like “King Peggy.” Because this book is fact, not fiction it is all the more fascinating. It is a wonderful story of how one amazing, wonderful woman had such an impact on a small village in Ghana, Africa. If we had more King Peggys the world would be a much better place.
The stories are very interesting, sometimes funny, often touching and a wonderful depiction of what modern life in rural Africa is like
I highly recommend it and think it would make a very good book club choice.
Rated of 5
by Cheryl W. (Cassville, MO)
King Peggy
Inspiring, funny, heartwarming, just a few adjectives to describe King Peggy. It is amazing what one person can do to help an entire community. King Peggy is a truly enjoyable read.
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by Nancy L. (Denver, NC)
