The Woman at the Wheel - by Penny Haw (Paperback)

About the Book

Includes discussion questions and a conversation with the author.

Book Synopsis

Inspiring historical fiction based on the real life of Bertha Benz, whose husband built the first prototype automobile, which eventually evolved into the Mercedes-Benz marque.

"Unfortunately, only a girl again."

From a young age, Cäcilie Bertha Ringer is fascinated by her father's work as a master builder in Pforzheim, Germany. But those five words, which he wrote next to her name in the family Bible, haunt Bertha.

Years later, Bertha meets Carl Benz and falls in love--with him and his extraordinary dream of building a horseless carriage. Bertha has such faith in him that she invests her dowry in his plans, a dicey move since they alone believe in the machine. When Carl's partners threaten to withdraw their support, he's ready to cut ties. Bertha knows the decision would ruin everything. Ignoring the cynics, she takes matters into her own hands, secretly planning a scheme that will either hasten the family's passage to absolute derision or prove their genius. What Bertha doesn't know is that Carl is on the cusp of making a deal with their nemesis. She's not only risking her marriage and their life's work, but is also up against the patriarchy, Carl's own self-doubt, and the clock.

Like so many other women, Bertha lived largely in her husband's shadow, but her contributions are now celebrated in this inspiring story of perseverance, resilience, and love.

Review Quotes

"Haw brings to light another fascinating and strong-willed woman of the past. Her well-researched depiction...captures the reactions of confusion and fear from nearly everyone around the Benzs that made their goals so much harder to attain--and that much more impressive." -- Booklist

"This is fine historical writing, transporting us back to another era while telling a compelling adventure story about characters we feel we know. A triumph!" -- Gill Paul, USA Today bestselling author of The Secret Wife and The Manhattan Girls