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En kvinde i førersædet
Cäcilie Bertha Ringer er født ind i en tid, hvor kvinder sjældent får mulighed for at forfølge deres drømme. Men hun nægter at lade sig begrænse af samfundets forventninger til, hvad en kvinde kan og bør gøre.
Som ung forelsker hun sig i den kompromisløse opfinder Carl Benz og hans drøm om at bygge en hesteløs vogn. Med sin medgift investeret i deres fælles drøm og sin tro på opfindelsen kæmper Bertha sammen med Carl mod omverdenen, der ikke tror på, at en vogn kan køre af sig selv.
En dag truer Carls kompagnoner med at trække sig, og alt, hvad Carl og Bertha sammen har bygget, risikerer at smuldre. I al hemmelighed lægger Bertha derfor en plan, og hun vover opfindelsen, virksomheden og sit ægteskab, for hun ved, at verden har brug for den hesteløse vogn.
‘En kvinde i førersædet’ er en gribende historisk roman om mod, kærlighed og viljestyrke. Inspireret af Bertha Benz’ liv fortæller den historien om en kvinde, der alt for længe har stået i skyggen af sin mand, Carl Benz. Han hyldes som opfinderen af den moderne bil og det, der sidenhen er blevet til Mercedes-Benz, men uden Bertha var bilen aldrig blevet til det, vi kender den som i dag. Og måske havde vi endda aldrig hørt om den.
Som ung forelsker hun sig i den kompromisløse opfinder Carl Benz og hans drøm om at bygge en hesteløs vogn. Med sin medgift investeret i deres fælles drøm og sin tro på opfindelsen kæmper Bertha sammen med Carl mod omverdenen, der ikke tror på, at en vogn kan køre af sig selv.
En dag truer Carls kompagnoner med at trække sig, og alt, hvad Carl og Bertha sammen har bygget, risikerer at smuldre. I al hemmelighed lægger Bertha derfor en plan, og hun vover opfindelsen, virksomheden og sit ægteskab, for hun ved, at verden har brug for den hesteløse vogn.
‘En kvinde i førersædet’ er en gribende historisk roman om mod, kærlighed og viljestyrke. Inspireret af Bertha Benz’ liv fortæller den historien om en kvinde, der alt for længe har stået i skyggen af sin mand, Carl Benz. Han hyldes som opfinderen af den moderne bil og det, der sidenhen er blevet til Mercedes-Benz, men uden Bertha var bilen aldrig blevet til det, vi kender den som i dag. Og måske havde vi endda aldrig hørt om den.
413 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2023
212 people are currently reading
7193 people want to read
About the author
Penny Haw
7 books225 followersPenny Haw was the recipient of the 2024 Philida Literary Award for her “oeuvre of literary excellence” and won the 2022 Women's Fiction Writers Association Star Award.
Her books feature remarkable women, illustrate her love for animals and nature, and explore the interconnectedness of all living things.
Penny’s works of biographical historical fiction are published by Sourcebooks Landmark and include The Invincible Miss Cust (2022), The Woman at the Wheel (2023), Follow Me to Africa (2025) and The Woman and Her Stars (2026). Her other books include The Wilderness Between Us (2021), which is contemporary fiction while Nicko (2017) is a children’s book.
Penny lives in Hout Bay near Cape Town, South Africa with her husband and three dogs, all of whom are well-walked.
Her books feature remarkable women, illustrate her love for animals and nature, and explore the interconnectedness of all living things.
Penny’s works of biographical historical fiction are published by Sourcebooks Landmark and include The Invincible Miss Cust (2022), The Woman at the Wheel (2023), Follow Me to Africa (2025) and The Woman and Her Stars (2026). Her other books include The Wilderness Between Us (2021), which is contemporary fiction while Nicko (2017) is a children’s book.
Penny lives in Hout Bay near Cape Town, South Africa with her husband and three dogs, all of whom are well-walked.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
July 10, 2023
The Woman at the Wheel imagines the story of Bertha Benz, whose husband built the first prototype automobile, which eventually evolved into the Mercedes-Benz marque. She lived in the shadow of her husband. This story celebrates her contribution to his success.
Second half of 19th century. From a young age, Bertha Ringer is fascinated by her father’s work as a master builder in Pforzheim, Germany.
Bertha is bored with every man her mother tries to push her way until she meets Carl Benz. Despite her mother’s skepticism, Bertha is fascinated with his idea of the horseless carriage. His old clothes don’t scare her. It’s his mind that fascinates her.
The storytelling beautifully exposes his passion and his drive, and her strong believe in him. Her belief is so strong that she invests her dowry and inheritance in him. The path to success is not easy and meanwhile they need to make a living. They work as equal partners. They invent components for carriages, farming equipment, buildings, furniture and various other things to improve other’s work in producing higher quantities.
There are many hurdles on their journey. The new improved equipment is not cheap, it’s not easy to convince the buyer and see the vision of rising production. With each partner, his shares dwindle, and after a while each partnership fails until he becomes an outsider in his own company. With growing family, he needs to figure out how to support them and support his dream of horseless carriage.
The vivid imagination and the contrast in time periods create memorable scenes. Bertha’s mother had her dreams, but creating a horseless carriage is pretty much ridiculous. There are many others who see it as something foolish. To be against such skepticism, one must have an extraordinary drive to achieve such goal. But there is one partner, Bertha, that is not only his strongest supporter, but also is the driving force to his success. Despite the ridicule, resistance, and ever-dwindling resources, they persist with experimenting with the design.
It’s amazing to be witnessing the account of such extraordinary journey, to witness first hand such grit and determination of achieving something most couldn’t even imagine.
Spellbinding.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Second half of 19th century. From a young age, Bertha Ringer is fascinated by her father’s work as a master builder in Pforzheim, Germany.
Bertha is bored with every man her mother tries to push her way until she meets Carl Benz. Despite her mother’s skepticism, Bertha is fascinated with his idea of the horseless carriage. His old clothes don’t scare her. It’s his mind that fascinates her.
The storytelling beautifully exposes his passion and his drive, and her strong believe in him. Her belief is so strong that she invests her dowry and inheritance in him. The path to success is not easy and meanwhile they need to make a living. They work as equal partners. They invent components for carriages, farming equipment, buildings, furniture and various other things to improve other’s work in producing higher quantities.
There are many hurdles on their journey. The new improved equipment is not cheap, it’s not easy to convince the buyer and see the vision of rising production. With each partner, his shares dwindle, and after a while each partnership fails until he becomes an outsider in his own company. With growing family, he needs to figure out how to support them and support his dream of horseless carriage.
The vivid imagination and the contrast in time periods create memorable scenes. Bertha’s mother had her dreams, but creating a horseless carriage is pretty much ridiculous. There are many others who see it as something foolish. To be against such skepticism, one must have an extraordinary drive to achieve such goal. But there is one partner, Bertha, that is not only his strongest supporter, but also is the driving force to his success. Despite the ridicule, resistance, and ever-dwindling resources, they persist with experimenting with the design.
It’s amazing to be witnessing the account of such extraordinary journey, to witness first hand such grit and determination of achieving something most couldn’t even imagine.
Spellbinding.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2023
As Bertha Ringer grows up in mid 19th Century Germany, she is increasingly fascinated by the world around her and how it works. She often begs her beloved father to allow her to accompany him on his building business meetings. She eagerly asks him to explain his thoughts and decisions, so it comes as an utter surprise to read in the family bible, next to her birth name and date, 'Unfortunately, only a girl again'. She becomes deflated and dismayed to learn that her life as a girl may not only have been a disappointment but that she may not, in fact, be able to lead the life she would like. However, a chance encounter with Carl Benz soon changes her reluctance to marry as she recognises a unique and kindred spirit, 'I recognized a fire in you. One that burns in me too. I want to be with you so that our fires can burn together.' Bertha believes in Carl and believes in the horseless carriage he yearns to develop - she even puts her money on it being the way of the future. Life with an inventor isn't easy. Together, they weather decades of setbacks, disappointments, and broken promises, while trying to grow a family. 'Only one person stayed next to me in the little ship of life in the days when sinking was approaching. That was my wife. Brave and courageous, she hoisted new sails of hope and support at a time when no one else believed in the dream.'
Penny Haw brings to us, 'The Woman at the Wheel' both as a story and oftentimes in reality. I enjoyed reading the story of the Benz Motorwagen and I loved that the woman behind the man, behind the brand, the anchor point of the invention, was brought to life so she could be fully appreciated for her contribution to history. Haw also includes pages of notes to give context and further reading to her story, which I fully appreciated. I heartily recommend this book to any historical fiction lover who enjoys reading 'herstory'.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Penny Haw brings to us, 'The Woman at the Wheel' both as a story and oftentimes in reality. I enjoyed reading the story of the Benz Motorwagen and I loved that the woman behind the man, behind the brand, the anchor point of the invention, was brought to life so she could be fully appreciated for her contribution to history. Haw also includes pages of notes to give context and further reading to her story, which I fully appreciated. I heartily recommend this book to any historical fiction lover who enjoys reading 'herstory'.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 13, 2023
In 1859, Cäcilie Bertha Ringer is ten and she listens to her father talk about his work and he’s a master builder in Pforzheim, Germany. One day she goes into his study, sitting on his desk is the family bible, her father has entered his children’s births on the front page and written alongside her name are the words "Unfortunately, only a girl again." The man she looks up to, adores, it hurts her feelings and she’s the only one out of his seven children who's interested in his job.
Years later, Bertha’s mother is worried that she’s not married like her older sisters, she meets Carl Benz at a Monastery, and her mother isn’t impressed by the slightly disheveled bridge building engineer. Bertha is determined to marry Carl, she's happy to have a long engagement and her mother’s probably got her fingers crossed Bertha will change her mind.
The newlyweds move to Mannheim, it’s a hundred kilometres from Pforzheim, they use Bertha's dowry to start Carl's business and welcome their first child. Carl is a dreamer, an inventor and unfortunately he chooses the wrong people to go into partnership with, this happens more than once and each time they couple have to start over. Replacing machinery and tools and Bertha knows people are making jokes about her husband and his crazy ideas.
Bertha continues to support Carl, she has an unwavering belief he will design the first automobile, Carl shares his ideas with Bertha and he listens to her opinions. At a time when most men didn’t see any point in educating their daughters past the age of twelve, women married young and motherhood quickly followed.
Bertha and Carl have children, Bertha juggles babies, home life, Carl being in his workshop for hours, and helps him with his jobs and manages the family’s meager finances. Finally Carl has his prototype finished, he doesn't have the confidence to promote his work, officials are standing in his way, and Bertha comes up with a plan with the help of her two sons, they keep it a secret from Carl, it will either be a success or an absolute disaster. Bertha has no idea how Carl with react when he finds out, she could be risking years of his hard work and her marriage.
I received a digital copy of The Woman at the Wheel by Penny Haw from Sourcebooks and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Like in her first book, The Invincible Miss Cust, Ms. Haw likes to write about real women who break the stereotypes of the time and Bertha Benz certainly did this and so much more.
Carl Benz credits his wife to his eventual achievement and the evolution of his business Mercedes-Benz Marque and wealth. Bertha was the only person who stayed aboard his ship and navigated the uncharted waters with him and didn’t bail out on him. Bertha holds a record, let’s just say she was courageous, adventurous, diligent, brave and unstoppable when she decided to do something.
Five stars from me, I enjoyed reading about both Carl and Bertha Benz, it’s a unique and inspirational love story and a true partnership.
Years later, Bertha’s mother is worried that she’s not married like her older sisters, she meets Carl Benz at a Monastery, and her mother isn’t impressed by the slightly disheveled bridge building engineer. Bertha is determined to marry Carl, she's happy to have a long engagement and her mother’s probably got her fingers crossed Bertha will change her mind.
The newlyweds move to Mannheim, it’s a hundred kilometres from Pforzheim, they use Bertha's dowry to start Carl's business and welcome their first child. Carl is a dreamer, an inventor and unfortunately he chooses the wrong people to go into partnership with, this happens more than once and each time they couple have to start over. Replacing machinery and tools and Bertha knows people are making jokes about her husband and his crazy ideas.
Bertha continues to support Carl, she has an unwavering belief he will design the first automobile, Carl shares his ideas with Bertha and he listens to her opinions. At a time when most men didn’t see any point in educating their daughters past the age of twelve, women married young and motherhood quickly followed.
Bertha and Carl have children, Bertha juggles babies, home life, Carl being in his workshop for hours, and helps him with his jobs and manages the family’s meager finances. Finally Carl has his prototype finished, he doesn't have the confidence to promote his work, officials are standing in his way, and Bertha comes up with a plan with the help of her two sons, they keep it a secret from Carl, it will either be a success or an absolute disaster. Bertha has no idea how Carl with react when he finds out, she could be risking years of his hard work and her marriage.
I received a digital copy of The Woman at the Wheel by Penny Haw from Sourcebooks and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Like in her first book, The Invincible Miss Cust, Ms. Haw likes to write about real women who break the stereotypes of the time and Bertha Benz certainly did this and so much more.
Carl Benz credits his wife to his eventual achievement and the evolution of his business Mercedes-Benz Marque and wealth. Bertha was the only person who stayed aboard his ship and navigated the uncharted waters with him and didn’t bail out on him. Bertha holds a record, let’s just say she was courageous, adventurous, diligent, brave and unstoppable when she decided to do something.
Five stars from me, I enjoyed reading about both Carl and Bertha Benz, it’s a unique and inspirational love story and a true partnership.
June 8, 2023
Watching Carl Benz work on designs for the first automobile through the eyes of his wife, Bertha Benz, is fascinating and, at times, frustrating. Carl fumbles and gets taken advantage of so many times as he attempts to create businesses with partners and investors that I found myself contemplating skipping to the end, when I knew Bertha would make her famous road trip. I hung in there as she worked in the shop alongside her husband, intervened when she could head off financial disasters, and gave the guy a charming family. Her only loyal friends through it all were her dogs.
The sheer amount of events covered in this book is impressive, thought here were points when I wondered if every failure needed to be part of the story. This is a story mostly of disappointment until the last 2-3 chapters. Those last chapters are exciting and the pace picks up.
The sheer amount of events covered in this book is impressive, thought here were points when I wondered if every failure needed to be part of the story. This is a story mostly of disappointment until the last 2-3 chapters. Those last chapters are exciting and the pace picks up.
October 3, 2023
If I’m being honest, I judged this book by its cover and wasn’t excited to read it. It was a perfect emphasis reminding me NOT TO JUDGE BY THE COVER. I also don’t typically read historical fiction, but I truly enjoyed this one.
This book follows Bertha Benz (as in Mercedes Benz) and her life with Carl and all of his inventions. She played a crucial role in his success, as well as supported him when no one else would. I could relate to her in being a wife to a man who runs his own business, which isn’t always easy when you’re first starting.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, give this one a read! And if you’re not, like me usually, give it a shot anyways. It may surprise you.
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy.
This book follows Bertha Benz (as in Mercedes Benz) and her life with Carl and all of his inventions. She played a crucial role in his success, as well as supported him when no one else would. I could relate to her in being a wife to a man who runs his own business, which isn’t always easy when you’re first starting.
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, give this one a read! And if you’re not, like me usually, give it a shot anyways. It may surprise you.
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy.
October 8, 2023
4.5 Stars!
Fascinating, compelling, and descriptive!
The Woman at the Wheel is an insightful, immersive tale that sweeps you away to Germany in the late 1800s and into the life of Cäcilie Bertha Ringer, a young woman ahead of her time who not only supported and encouraged her engineer husband, Carl Benz, who was determined to create the first horseless carriage but was also the first person to ever drive a vehicle powered by a gas engine long distance when she travelled with two of her sons to her hometown over hundred kilometres away.
The prose is expressive and rich. The characters are driven, supportive, and engaging. And the plot is an absorbing tale of life, loss, love, hope, scepticism, innovation, family, sacrifices, struggles, and successes, as well as the intricacies involved in building an internal-combustion-engine vehicle in the late 19th century.
Overall, The Woman at the Wheel is an alluring, inspirational, well-written tale by Haw that does a beautiful job of highlighting her considerable research and knowledge into this impressive woman I previously knew little to nothing about and her role in developing such an engineering feat that it is still the most commonly used method of transportation today.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fascinating, compelling, and descriptive!
The Woman at the Wheel is an insightful, immersive tale that sweeps you away to Germany in the late 1800s and into the life of Cäcilie Bertha Ringer, a young woman ahead of her time who not only supported and encouraged her engineer husband, Carl Benz, who was determined to create the first horseless carriage but was also the first person to ever drive a vehicle powered by a gas engine long distance when she travelled with two of her sons to her hometown over hundred kilometres away.
The prose is expressive and rich. The characters are driven, supportive, and engaging. And the plot is an absorbing tale of life, loss, love, hope, scepticism, innovation, family, sacrifices, struggles, and successes, as well as the intricacies involved in building an internal-combustion-engine vehicle in the late 19th century.
Overall, The Woman at the Wheel is an alluring, inspirational, well-written tale by Haw that does a beautiful job of highlighting her considerable research and knowledge into this impressive woman I previously knew little to nothing about and her role in developing such an engineering feat that it is still the most commonly used method of transportation today.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2024
I had read Penny Haw's book The Invincible Miss Cust and was impressed by her ability to portray a strong woman who is pushing boundaries, so when I saw her book The Woman at the Wheel, I was immediately interested in reading it.
Bertha Benz was not just the wife of Carl Benz, the engineer and inventor of the first practical automobile, but as someone said to her, " you are the wheels that have made it possible for him."
Haw relates the story of a extraordinary woman, with intelligence and drive and belief in her husbands vision. By the end of the book, I wanted to know and befriend Bertha Benz.
I think those who appreciate a good historical fiction will enjoy this book.
Bertha Benz was not just the wife of Carl Benz, the engineer and inventor of the first practical automobile, but as someone said to her, " you are the wheels that have made it possible for him."
Haw relates the story of a extraordinary woman, with intelligence and drive and belief in her husbands vision. By the end of the book, I wanted to know and befriend Bertha Benz.
I think those who appreciate a good historical fiction will enjoy this book.
September 5, 2023
The Woman At The Wheel is the historical fictionalized story of Bertha Benz, whose husband built the first prototype automobile, which eventually evolved into the Mercedes-Benz marque. Saying Bertha is the "wife of Carl Benz" though doesn't explain how important she was to his creation. Without her by his side it's likely this story wouldn't need to be told. The Woman At The Wheel is all about Bertha.
The story is a fascinating one. It is very interesting following the process of inventing something like that. The story takes place over several years and as is probably the norm with inventors, there are a lot of setbacks and repetition.
Written in first person we see everything though Bertha's eyes. I felt a bit removed at times as if I didn't quite know people.as well as I would have liked. But it's a true story and the story is good. It is a little exhausting at times as we see the struggles the characters go through. I do not mean that in a negative way at all as I feel the writing accurately depicts the situation and The Woman At The Wheel is a quick read.
I definitely recommend this if you're a fan of history or historical fiction.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the chance to read!
The story is a fascinating one. It is very interesting following the process of inventing something like that. The story takes place over several years and as is probably the norm with inventors, there are a lot of setbacks and repetition.
Written in first person we see everything though Bertha's eyes. I felt a bit removed at times as if I didn't quite know people.as well as I would have liked. But it's a true story and the story is good. It is a little exhausting at times as we see the struggles the characters go through. I do not mean that in a negative way at all as I feel the writing accurately depicts the situation and The Woman At The Wheel is a quick read.
I definitely recommend this if you're a fan of history or historical fiction.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the chance to read!
September 23, 2023
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Before reading this book, I had heard of the manufacturer we know as Mercedes-Benz, but I knew nothing about the history behind the name.
This historical fiction novel shares the story of Mercedes-Benz from the perspective of Bertha Benz the wife of Carl Benz and their work on designing and bringing to reality the dream of the horseless carriage.
I recommend this novel to those readers interested in women in STEM and books featuring women in history that we know very little about. I enjoyed the characters in this novel that supported Bertha and her involvement and role in the work to design this automobile.
I did find there were a few moments when the story dragged a bit in the pacing and focused a bit too much on details that didn't seem overly important for so much time to be spent on them. I did find this to be a bit more repetitive in the novel than was needed to get the point across to the reader. I feel the novel focuses and repeatedly reiterates the difficulty that was faced by Bertha and Carl in getting support and interest in their vehicle and that the difficulty was a greater proportion of the story than the successes. I found the ending to be kind of abrupt without any indication what was to come next for the family. I did enjoy the feeling from the novel that Bertha changed the future for more girls and young women in the future with interests similar to hers in the areas of STEM. Overall The Woman At The Wheel was an interesting read.
Before reading this book, I had heard of the manufacturer we know as Mercedes-Benz, but I knew nothing about the history behind the name.
This historical fiction novel shares the story of Mercedes-Benz from the perspective of Bertha Benz the wife of Carl Benz and their work on designing and bringing to reality the dream of the horseless carriage.
I recommend this novel to those readers interested in women in STEM and books featuring women in history that we know very little about. I enjoyed the characters in this novel that supported Bertha and her involvement and role in the work to design this automobile.
I did find there were a few moments when the story dragged a bit in the pacing and focused a bit too much on details that didn't seem overly important for so much time to be spent on them. I did find this to be a bit more repetitive in the novel than was needed to get the point across to the reader. I feel the novel focuses and repeatedly reiterates the difficulty that was faced by Bertha and Carl in getting support and interest in their vehicle and that the difficulty was a greater proportion of the story than the successes. I found the ending to be kind of abrupt without any indication what was to come next for the family. I did enjoy the feeling from the novel that Bertha changed the future for more girls and young women in the future with interests similar to hers in the areas of STEM. Overall The Woman At The Wheel was an interesting read.
March 28, 2025
I really liked this book that was about a different topic than a lot of the historical fiction. It was refreshing to read this story about the woman behind that man, Carl Benz. Bertha Benz fought to be an equal partner with her husband in a time when women’s ideas were not valued, appreciated, or taken into account for anything other than cooking, cleaning, and rearing. This woman’s perseverance and belief in her husband made him successful in creating the first engine powered cart which later morphed into the automobile.
I was totally engrossed in the triumphs and tribulations of the Bertha Benz in the five-star read. It was a story I didn’t want to stop reading. I highly recommend this book.
I was totally engrossed in the triumphs and tribulations of the Bertha Benz in the five-star read. It was a story I didn’t want to stop reading. I highly recommend this book.
May 1, 2024
My daughter read about Bertha Benz in her history book and I had never heard of her, so I immediately sought out a historical fiction book to learn more. Bertha was the wife of Carl Benz, the Father of the Automobile. She conducted the first motorized long journey in his invention, covering 100 miles with her two sons, fixing problems with the machine along the way. She supported and helped her husband throughout their lives. A very impressive lady in a time when women didn't have the space to do impressive things. The book itself was slow and a bit of a slough. I am happy to have learned more about her though, so for that it served it's purpose.
August 31, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars
[ Thank you @bookmarked & @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]
PUB DATE: October 3, 2023
THOUGHTS:
I really loved learning about this little piece of history! In the author’s note at the end, Haw mentions she based the novel on biographical facts of Bertha’s life from 1859-1888. But obviously it’s a work of fiction, so she took liberties with thoughts, emotions, relationships, etc that aren’t publicly known.
It was fascinating at times reading about Carl and Bertha and also frustrating!! Rejection after rejection and Carl getting taken advantage of a few times was so hard to read. But I loved how Bertha was his cheerleader the entire time. Working along with him in the workshop where their dreams turned into designs which then lead to motorwagen.
Bertha was a strong and inspirational woman. I was engrossed the entire time reading about the Benz family and their journey! ❤️
[ Thank you @bookmarked & @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own! ]
PUB DATE: October 3, 2023
THOUGHTS:
I really loved learning about this little piece of history! In the author’s note at the end, Haw mentions she based the novel on biographical facts of Bertha’s life from 1859-1888. But obviously it’s a work of fiction, so she took liberties with thoughts, emotions, relationships, etc that aren’t publicly known.
It was fascinating at times reading about Carl and Bertha and also frustrating!! Rejection after rejection and Carl getting taken advantage of a few times was so hard to read. But I loved how Bertha was his cheerleader the entire time. Working along with him in the workshop where their dreams turned into designs which then lead to motorwagen.
Bertha was a strong and inspirational woman. I was engrossed the entire time reading about the Benz family and their journey! ❤️
January 3, 2024
I had really high hopes for The Woman at the Wheel. I typically love reading stories about women who had a hand in shaping history but due to their gender, are often left out of history books. The first quarter of the book was really good. I was engaged and interested in the story. Almost as soon as Bertha and Carl got married, however, I started losing interest. The pacing flattened out and the tale became repetitive. I understand that Carl had several failed business partnerships but I feel that the author could have taken some liberties here and condensed them all into one ginormous heart breaking failure. By the time we got to her famous drive, I couldn't bring myself to be excited for her because I was already so bored of her. If you prefer your historical fiction to be more historically accurate or already have an interest in either Bertha Benz or the invention of the automobile, you will probably love this one.
October 13, 2023
This story is truly inspiring. I really enjoyed reading about Bertha’s childhood and how she handled the first long-distance test drive has me in awe of her. The reason I gave this two stars is the pacing of the book. It was just too slow for me. Once she and Carl were married, the story felt really drawn out up until about the last 50 pages. It is clearly well researched and a very interesting account of an incredible woman. I just wish the middle moved more quickly.
September 29, 2023
For the most part I liked this book. I liked that Bertha was so smart and interested in things most women of that time period wouldn’t be. It was interesting to see how Benz got his start. I did think the book rambled a lot.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
October 3, 2023
I am loving all of the books where we know the men's history but now the women by their sides are coming out. I requested this ARC knowing nothing about Carl Benz and his wife Bertha. I found this book absolutely fascinating about how his "horseless carriage" came about. Unfortunately for Carl Benz, he was not from a wealthy family, so he had this great idea but no money to actually make it. He went decades with no one who would invest in his idea. He was an engineer and unfortunately he did not work well with other people. He would go from job to job but his wife Bertha knew he had to find someone to invest in his "horseless carriage." She helped him build pieces and try everything out. She loved the science behind it and she knew he needed to show people that it could go great distances. She is the first person to take a long distance road trip in a car, which is now called the Bertha Benz Memorial Route in Germany. Just fascinating!
-"When you told me and my mother about the horseless carriage, I recognized a fire in you. One that burns in me too. I don't want to stand by and watch your fire. I don't want to have to fight to keep mine burning. I want to be with you so that our fires can burn together."
-Also, being poor didn't necessarily ruin the dream, but it certainly helped keep it beyond our reach.
-From behind closed doors, sometimes during the day but mostly at night, came the muffled sounds of crying. What was it about grief that shamed us so?
-"Look, Vater, I'm a girl, but that did not stop me from understanding the work of my husband and being not just at his side but party responsible for this incredible invention."
-Sometimes what one does not discuss with those they are closest to is what keeps them close.
-Another thing I had learned about business from my father was to never allow others to induce you to disclose anything until you were ready to do so yourself.
-"No. It's not magic. It's science."
-"When you told me and my mother about the horseless carriage, I recognized a fire in you. One that burns in me too. I don't want to stand by and watch your fire. I don't want to have to fight to keep mine burning. I want to be with you so that our fires can burn together."
-Also, being poor didn't necessarily ruin the dream, but it certainly helped keep it beyond our reach.
-From behind closed doors, sometimes during the day but mostly at night, came the muffled sounds of crying. What was it about grief that shamed us so?
-"Look, Vater, I'm a girl, but that did not stop me from understanding the work of my husband and being not just at his side but party responsible for this incredible invention."
-Sometimes what one does not discuss with those they are closest to is what keeps them close.
-Another thing I had learned about business from my father was to never allow others to induce you to disclose anything until you were ready to do so yourself.
-"No. It's not magic. It's science."
October 1, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
What a story ! I I have to admit I knew nothing going into this book but loved reading about Bertha and Carl Benz and the story of the first motor car ! Although at times it gets a bit in to the details ( they are building the first motor car after all) I thought the story was beautifully told . What an amazing woman Bertha is and what an amazing man Carl is - not just because of this genius mind, but also in how he treats Bertha like a partner in life - which for that time is definitely progressive
What a story ! I I have to admit I knew nothing going into this book but loved reading about Bertha and Carl Benz and the story of the first motor car ! Although at times it gets a bit in to the details ( they are building the first motor car after all) I thought the story was beautifully told . What an amazing woman Bertha is and what an amazing man Carl is - not just because of this genius mind, but also in how he treats Bertha like a partner in life - which for that time is definitely progressive
September 11, 2023
I love learning about little known nuggets of history in historical fiction and this book gave me those nuggets I wanted. We have all heard of a Mercedes-Benz car, but I never knew about the husband and wife team that began (what became the famous brand) back in the late 1800s Germany. Carl Benz was obsessed with developing a horseless carriage. Most people thought it was unnatural or evil. When Bertha met him by chance in 1869, little did she know that his passion would become hers as well for the next 20 years. This book describes Bertha's early years in her large family and her relationship with her father. The thing that drove her, was a note she saw written in the family bible by her father. He wrote that "unfortunately, only a girl again." That statement made her want to do more than just be a wife, mother, and housekeeper. She wanted to do the same thing her brothers were allowed to do, which was anything they wanted. So when she heard Carl describe what he wanted to build someday and the enthusiasm in his voice, she knew she had to be with him on the journey. And what a journey of ups and downs it was. Berth's persistence and constant support for her husband's invention was remarkable. If not for her, I don't believe his "motorwagen" would be been built. To prove that it would travel long distances to potential investors and buyers, she and two of her teenage sons, drove 66 miles with it to see her family! The details of this trip were enjoyable to learn about and I really like that she was not afraid of hard work or getting her hands dirty. Her route is now celebrated with the "Bertha Benz Memorial Route" unveiled in 2008 in southwest Germany.
By the end of the book, their motorwagen won the 1888 gold medal at the Munich exhibition. The Author's Note provides a lot of background of what was part of history and what she fictionalized. I enjoyed the storytelling of how Bertha's younger years ultimately shaped her decisions later in life. She was not afraid to go after what was needed to support her husband and family. Bertha had several dogs (Affenpinscher, Dachshund, German Shepard) through the years. I loved that the dogs always were part of the family and seemed to recognize those not so honest businessmen! If you are looking for a book about little known women in history, I would recommend this book.
(One possible trigger warning: dog dies of old age)
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
By the end of the book, their motorwagen won the 1888 gold medal at the Munich exhibition. The Author's Note provides a lot of background of what was part of history and what she fictionalized. I enjoyed the storytelling of how Bertha's younger years ultimately shaped her decisions later in life. She was not afraid to go after what was needed to support her husband and family. Bertha had several dogs (Affenpinscher, Dachshund, German Shepard) through the years. I loved that the dogs always were part of the family and seemed to recognize those not so honest businessmen! If you are looking for a book about little known women in history, I would recommend this book.
(One possible trigger warning: dog dies of old age)
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
September 27, 2023
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve never read anything by Penny Haw before, but I was intrigued by the premise of exploring the life of another woman that history has obscured. I similarly hadn’t heard of Bertha Benz, and didn’t know about her and her husband’s work pioneering the first automobile (although I was drawn to the mention of the Mercedes-Benz connection), and this book was enlightening in highlighting both her origins and her early accomplishments in the automotive field.
I loved the focus on how unlikely she was to contribute anything substantial in her early life, including the emphasis on her own father’s disappointment with the statement written in the family Bible by her name, “Unfortunately, only a girl again.” She is basically consigned to the very strict gender roles of the period, restricting her to marriage and children. But that wasn’t enough for her, and I loved how the story showed how instrumental she was in her husband Carl’s success.
But the writing was incredibly bland and distant. I didn’t feel a sense of immediacy, and while I know these were real people, the best historical fiction brings them to life; this might as well have been a textbook, if Penny Haw hadn’t admitted to taking a few liberties in her author’s note. And given some of my issues with historical fiction books that take place over a long period of time, this was one of the worst examples, with the story dragging, only becoming interesting toward the end, when Bertha has come to the cusp of her success.
While I didn’t care for the execution of this book, I’m definitely in the minority, as I’ve seen many more positive reviews. If you’re looking for a story about an under-celebrated woman from history, and you don’t have the same hang-ups I have, I recommend checking this out!
I’ve never read anything by Penny Haw before, but I was intrigued by the premise of exploring the life of another woman that history has obscured. I similarly hadn’t heard of Bertha Benz, and didn’t know about her and her husband’s work pioneering the first automobile (although I was drawn to the mention of the Mercedes-Benz connection), and this book was enlightening in highlighting both her origins and her early accomplishments in the automotive field.
I loved the focus on how unlikely she was to contribute anything substantial in her early life, including the emphasis on her own father’s disappointment with the statement written in the family Bible by her name, “Unfortunately, only a girl again.” She is basically consigned to the very strict gender roles of the period, restricting her to marriage and children. But that wasn’t enough for her, and I loved how the story showed how instrumental she was in her husband Carl’s success.
But the writing was incredibly bland and distant. I didn’t feel a sense of immediacy, and while I know these were real people, the best historical fiction brings them to life; this might as well have been a textbook, if Penny Haw hadn’t admitted to taking a few liberties in her author’s note. And given some of my issues with historical fiction books that take place over a long period of time, this was one of the worst examples, with the story dragging, only becoming interesting toward the end, when Bertha has come to the cusp of her success.
While I didn’t care for the execution of this book, I’m definitely in the minority, as I’ve seen many more positive reviews. If you’re looking for a story about an under-celebrated woman from history, and you don’t have the same hang-ups I have, I recommend checking this out!
October 10, 2023
When I saw 'The Woman at the Wheel' online and its caption, I knew I had to read it. And I am so glad I did as it has enriched my knowledge of another great woman of history: one who has made a huge contribution to the progress of transportation. Historical fiction can educate us in the most delightful way and I can honestly say this book inspired me and brought to my attention the incredible Bertha Benz. Without doubt, this is one of the most moving stories I have read this year!
The author’s passionate interest in Bertha Benz comes shining through. I felt as though I was there beside this brave resourceful woman all the way through the story. Penny Haw has treated this real person from the past with great respect and presented her in an honest yet glowing light. Bertha Benz, a strong, persuasive and highly intelligent woman, was up against the prejudices or her time. She was a visionary, like her genius husband and I loved watching them bring their inventions to the world, particularly the motorwagon. There were so many fantastic arguments Bertha won with her keen insight and belief in her husband’s abilities. She was his true partner in every sense of the word and particularly supported him through all his faults (yes, he wasn’t perfect) and setbacks. She made up for the differences and helped his dream become a reality—even amid the ridicule, the betrayals of others, the lack of funds, faith and vision of others. She held fast to the dream and drew her children into it as well. She convinced the un-convincible that their invention was important and worth investing in.
With the way Penny Haw has brilliantly portrayed Bertha, I cannot help rave on about this book and woman. I loved that she stood up for herself against the farce traditions and beliefs of her time. From the time she read her father’s words about her birth when she was ten years old ‘unfortunately only a girl again’ we wonder if she was determined to prove her worth after that. Or was she just that way and would have done everything she did, regardless? A part of me thinks it was a bit of both. In the 1800s the desire for a male heir was strong and Bertha was the third daughter. Yet despite her father’s disappointment that he was having another girl (the third one), he talked to her in great length about his work as a master builder in Germany and she was fascinated and greatly interested, learning all she could from him. Her mother had differing views. She said, ‘Everything a girl learns is useless’ and ‘misleading.’ She felt women were meant to be in the home living a traditional life.
Even though Bertha’s parents wanted her married off to someone of stature and wealth, she wanted to be with someone who would respect her, value her and share an equal partnership. Carl was that man. He was intelligent and an ambitious inventor but poor. He respected her intelligence and opinion. Carl was raised by his mother who was a strong woman and he learned from her. He did not grow up with a father figure who would have formed in him the usual male views of his time. So, for Carl having an equal partnership with his wife was a natural thing.
‘It would take more than being a genius to realise a dream.’ Carl received his education degrees at a young age and his intelligence was visible early on. His passion to invent the horseless carriage, though, had recurring problems—even with the support of his wife who invested her dowry and inheritance early on to see the dream fulfilled. For this was a costly adventure and they did not have enough money to design the components. They needed investors. But Carl’s impatience and intolerance of others who did not understand his engineer brain, made it difficult. Bertha realised there were some gaps in his social abilities and she became the bridge and built relationships with some of his partners. Many times, she had to rein Carl in to keep the balance. It was quite an adventure with numerous challenges. Bertha was good for business and had a gift of effective negotiating. As result, together they were able to persevere and succeed.
I won’t discuss the famous long perilous journey that was over 100 KM she took with her two sons to prove the motorwagon’s worth except to say it was a fascinating tribute of her determination, bravery and understanding of the vehicle which led to an even greater development of the vehicle. Her trip exposed the weak areas and her husband was able to modify those parts to make it even better.
There are many wonderful themes in the novel: including sisterhood and friendship. Bertha was close to her sisters. So when they both moved to America, she felt a great loss but continued to correspond with one for advice. As for friendships: hers with Ava was unexpected. Initially it was a positive experience but later when Ava married, there were tense moments. Bertha needed to have these women to confide in, even though she knew she was very different from her sisters and friends. Unfortunately, this sometimes caused resentment (particularly with Ava). But with Ben, the journalist, she had a valuable friendship. He was instrumental in helping to spread the word of the motor wagon to the once small-minded world.
Animals played an important role in Bertha’s life. Her dogs were wonderful companions and there were some scenes with them that really broke my heart. Her mother had a deep connection to horses and there’s a beautiful passage that gave me goosebumps. Horses generally symbolise freedom and power. In those days, horses were used everywhere and her mother resented the fact these animals had been harnessed and often injured by humans. So, replacing them with an engine was a genius solution in her mind. Yet ironically the word horsepower remained part of transport vehicle’s description.
The Woman at the Wheel takes us into the heart and life of a woman who truly was a positive force behind her husband and who shared his vision. Ms. Haw’s novel celebrates this vividly. As Carl said in the dedication of his autobiography: (and is used in the novel) she was the one person who stayed next to him ‘in the little ship of life in the days when the sinking was approaching…she did not tremble during the onslaught of life. Brave and courageous, she hoisted new sails of hope and support at a time when no one else believed in the dream.’
This is a wonderful inspiring novel that I highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for my review copy.
The author’s passionate interest in Bertha Benz comes shining through. I felt as though I was there beside this brave resourceful woman all the way through the story. Penny Haw has treated this real person from the past with great respect and presented her in an honest yet glowing light. Bertha Benz, a strong, persuasive and highly intelligent woman, was up against the prejudices or her time. She was a visionary, like her genius husband and I loved watching them bring their inventions to the world, particularly the motorwagon. There were so many fantastic arguments Bertha won with her keen insight and belief in her husband’s abilities. She was his true partner in every sense of the word and particularly supported him through all his faults (yes, he wasn’t perfect) and setbacks. She made up for the differences and helped his dream become a reality—even amid the ridicule, the betrayals of others, the lack of funds, faith and vision of others. She held fast to the dream and drew her children into it as well. She convinced the un-convincible that their invention was important and worth investing in.
With the way Penny Haw has brilliantly portrayed Bertha, I cannot help rave on about this book and woman. I loved that she stood up for herself against the farce traditions and beliefs of her time. From the time she read her father’s words about her birth when she was ten years old ‘unfortunately only a girl again’ we wonder if she was determined to prove her worth after that. Or was she just that way and would have done everything she did, regardless? A part of me thinks it was a bit of both. In the 1800s the desire for a male heir was strong and Bertha was the third daughter. Yet despite her father’s disappointment that he was having another girl (the third one), he talked to her in great length about his work as a master builder in Germany and she was fascinated and greatly interested, learning all she could from him. Her mother had differing views. She said, ‘Everything a girl learns is useless’ and ‘misleading.’ She felt women were meant to be in the home living a traditional life.
Even though Bertha’s parents wanted her married off to someone of stature and wealth, she wanted to be with someone who would respect her, value her and share an equal partnership. Carl was that man. He was intelligent and an ambitious inventor but poor. He respected her intelligence and opinion. Carl was raised by his mother who was a strong woman and he learned from her. He did not grow up with a father figure who would have formed in him the usual male views of his time. So, for Carl having an equal partnership with his wife was a natural thing.
‘It would take more than being a genius to realise a dream.’ Carl received his education degrees at a young age and his intelligence was visible early on. His passion to invent the horseless carriage, though, had recurring problems—even with the support of his wife who invested her dowry and inheritance early on to see the dream fulfilled. For this was a costly adventure and they did not have enough money to design the components. They needed investors. But Carl’s impatience and intolerance of others who did not understand his engineer brain, made it difficult. Bertha realised there were some gaps in his social abilities and she became the bridge and built relationships with some of his partners. Many times, she had to rein Carl in to keep the balance. It was quite an adventure with numerous challenges. Bertha was good for business and had a gift of effective negotiating. As result, together they were able to persevere and succeed.
I won’t discuss the famous long perilous journey that was over 100 KM she took with her two sons to prove the motorwagon’s worth except to say it was a fascinating tribute of her determination, bravery and understanding of the vehicle which led to an even greater development of the vehicle. Her trip exposed the weak areas and her husband was able to modify those parts to make it even better.
There are many wonderful themes in the novel: including sisterhood and friendship. Bertha was close to her sisters. So when they both moved to America, she felt a great loss but continued to correspond with one for advice. As for friendships: hers with Ava was unexpected. Initially it was a positive experience but later when Ava married, there were tense moments. Bertha needed to have these women to confide in, even though she knew she was very different from her sisters and friends. Unfortunately, this sometimes caused resentment (particularly with Ava). But with Ben, the journalist, she had a valuable friendship. He was instrumental in helping to spread the word of the motor wagon to the once small-minded world.
Animals played an important role in Bertha’s life. Her dogs were wonderful companions and there were some scenes with them that really broke my heart. Her mother had a deep connection to horses and there’s a beautiful passage that gave me goosebumps. Horses generally symbolise freedom and power. In those days, horses were used everywhere and her mother resented the fact these animals had been harnessed and often injured by humans. So, replacing them with an engine was a genius solution in her mind. Yet ironically the word horsepower remained part of transport vehicle’s description.
The Woman at the Wheel takes us into the heart and life of a woman who truly was a positive force behind her husband and who shared his vision. Ms. Haw’s novel celebrates this vividly. As Carl said in the dedication of his autobiography: (and is used in the novel) she was the one person who stayed next to him ‘in the little ship of life in the days when the sinking was approaching…she did not tremble during the onslaught of life. Brave and courageous, she hoisted new sails of hope and support at a time when no one else believed in the dream.’
This is a wonderful inspiring novel that I highly recommend. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for my review copy.
February 4, 2024
Location: Pforzheim & Mannheim, Germany 🇩🇪
Conclusion: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book about Bertha Benz. It is amazing how the book portrays her and her role in inventing the automobile, how she pushed Carl Benz when he needed a push and how she single-handedly generates the buzz that is needed to popularise the automobile at the time. I appreciated the writing style and the due diligence the author seemed to put into researching her life. 100% recommend for anyone interested in history, strong female characters, historical fiction books with a true background.
Characters:
- Bertha: is such an interesting person and I could imagine that the real Bertha was a lot like the character in this book. She is strong, intelligent and street smart for her time.
- Carl: seems sometimes a little like a scatterbrained but brilliant inventor that is a little different from everyone else and the conventions at the time, but that helps him to be brilliant enough to invent the automobile.
What I liked: the properly researched story and the characters.
What I disliked: rarely the story dragged for a chapter or so.
Quote: “When the first plan fails, do not repeat it, hoping that you’ll get lucky and succeed through repetition. Instead, come up with a different plan.” (p. 115)
Conclusion: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book about Bertha Benz. It is amazing how the book portrays her and her role in inventing the automobile, how she pushed Carl Benz when he needed a push and how she single-handedly generates the buzz that is needed to popularise the automobile at the time. I appreciated the writing style and the due diligence the author seemed to put into researching her life. 100% recommend for anyone interested in history, strong female characters, historical fiction books with a true background.
Characters:
- Bertha: is such an interesting person and I could imagine that the real Bertha was a lot like the character in this book. She is strong, intelligent and street smart for her time.
- Carl: seems sometimes a little like a scatterbrained but brilliant inventor that is a little different from everyone else and the conventions at the time, but that helps him to be brilliant enough to invent the automobile.
What I liked: the properly researched story and the characters.
What I disliked: rarely the story dragged for a chapter or so.
Quote: “When the first plan fails, do not repeat it, hoping that you’ll get lucky and succeed through repetition. Instead, come up with a different plan.” (p. 115)
September 16, 2024
Rating: 3.5 stars
I enjoyed this novel that explored themes, such as gender equality, pursuance of dreams, and perseverance through adversity. I could relate to the protagonist who was ambitious and striving to succeed in a male dominated field. The author’s writing style was compelling and descriptive. If you are a fan of historical fiction and stories of empowerment, make sure to add The Women at the Wheel to your TBR pile!
I received an advanced physical copy from @thoughtsfromapage Lit Lover Patreon Community (Traveling Galley Program). Thank you to Cindy Burnett and publisher Sourcebooks Landmark. I appreciated the opportunity to preview this book.
I enjoyed this novel that explored themes, such as gender equality, pursuance of dreams, and perseverance through adversity. I could relate to the protagonist who was ambitious and striving to succeed in a male dominated field. The author’s writing style was compelling and descriptive. If you are a fan of historical fiction and stories of empowerment, make sure to add The Women at the Wheel to your TBR pile!
I received an advanced physical copy from @thoughtsfromapage Lit Lover Patreon Community (Traveling Galley Program). Thank you to Cindy Burnett and publisher Sourcebooks Landmark. I appreciated the opportunity to preview this book.
April 5, 2025
Carl Benz is most famously known for inventing the automobile. However, little is known about his wife, Bertha Benz. She was the first person to drive a car for a long distance. In this historical novel, it tells the story of Bertha’s marriage to her husband and the invention of the first car.
I must confess that I had never heard of Bertha Benz until I read this novel. However, I must say that she was a very admirable woman. She is fascinated with her father’s work as a master builder. When she learns that her father was disappointed with her birth, she is hurt because of her admiration for him. Bertha doesn’t want to marry. However, her plans change when she meets Carl Benz. Carl makes an absurd claim that he will invent a horseless carriage. Bertha resolves to help make Carl’s dream come true. Bertha proves to be Carl’s most ardent supporter, and her resilience helped make Carl’s invention a success! Therefore, I rooted for her throughout the novel because of her cleverness, resourcefulness, and determination!
Overall, this novel is about dreams, marriage, and expectations. The message in this book is to never give up. I liked the characters in this novel. I also found this story to be well-written and meticulously researched. However, there were a few scenes that I thought were drawn out and a bit repetitive. I also did not like where the story ended. I wished that it would also tell the story of her later life. Hopefully, there may be a sequel! I also like how this novel emphasizes that Bertha was an accomplished woman in her own right! The Woman at Wheel shines light on an important but forgotten historical figure! I recommend this for fans of Enchantress of Numbers, The Engineer’s Wife, and Beautiful Invention!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
I must confess that I had never heard of Bertha Benz until I read this novel. However, I must say that she was a very admirable woman. She is fascinated with her father’s work as a master builder. When she learns that her father was disappointed with her birth, she is hurt because of her admiration for him. Bertha doesn’t want to marry. However, her plans change when she meets Carl Benz. Carl makes an absurd claim that he will invent a horseless carriage. Bertha resolves to help make Carl’s dream come true. Bertha proves to be Carl’s most ardent supporter, and her resilience helped make Carl’s invention a success! Therefore, I rooted for her throughout the novel because of her cleverness, resourcefulness, and determination!
Overall, this novel is about dreams, marriage, and expectations. The message in this book is to never give up. I liked the characters in this novel. I also found this story to be well-written and meticulously researched. However, there were a few scenes that I thought were drawn out and a bit repetitive. I also did not like where the story ended. I wished that it would also tell the story of her later life. Hopefully, there may be a sequel! I also like how this novel emphasizes that Bertha was an accomplished woman in her own right! The Woman at Wheel shines light on an important but forgotten historical figure! I recommend this for fans of Enchantress of Numbers, The Engineer’s Wife, and Beautiful Invention!
(Note: I read an ARC copy of this book in courtesy of Netgalley.)
September 18, 2023
Thank you, Sourcebooks, for my advance electronic copy. My opinions are my own.
Bertha Ringer grows up admiring her father and following him to work, believing he shares his world with her because he is proud of who she is and what she can do. After all, her other siblings don't show any interest, and her father is a self-made man who amassed a fortune with hard work. But when she learns that he sees her as a disappointment, and that only because she was born a girl, she is cut to the core. Years later when it comes time for her to marry and start a family, she makes the unconventional choice to betroth herself to Carl Benz, a nobody with nothing but a dream. But he can see her as a partner, and that is enough for her to throw her dowry into his dying business scheme and help prove his genius. Thus starts a lifelong partnership of Carl's genius and Bertha's drive and practical sense--a labor of love, respect, and resilience that is both professionally and personally fulfilling.
I really felt for Bertha and her struggle to be seen outside of her relationship to her husband and whether she can keep house and bear children for him. She was up against the patriarchal systems of every aspect of her life, and--at least as painted by Haw--ended up having a lot of the credit for Benz' success as the inventor of the internal combustion engine. She created the environment and helped him find the will to create it, and she guided the engine to become the business success that it became. Haw paints a seamless picture of the world of that time, bathing the reader in it's attitudes and systems. There were a few things that seemed odd (Bertha's taking so long to realize the male-skewed nature of her world, for example, and what that meant for her as a woman), but they were a small corner of an otherwise flawless immersion. Benz seems to have been good as an inventor, but this book (and, it seems, history) leaves little doubt that so much of his success is due to his wife. What an impressive woma
Bertha Ringer grows up admiring her father and following him to work, believing he shares his world with her because he is proud of who she is and what she can do. After all, her other siblings don't show any interest, and her father is a self-made man who amassed a fortune with hard work. But when she learns that he sees her as a disappointment, and that only because she was born a girl, she is cut to the core. Years later when it comes time for her to marry and start a family, she makes the unconventional choice to betroth herself to Carl Benz, a nobody with nothing but a dream. But he can see her as a partner, and that is enough for her to throw her dowry into his dying business scheme and help prove his genius. Thus starts a lifelong partnership of Carl's genius and Bertha's drive and practical sense--a labor of love, respect, and resilience that is both professionally and personally fulfilling.
I really felt for Bertha and her struggle to be seen outside of her relationship to her husband and whether she can keep house and bear children for him. She was up against the patriarchal systems of every aspect of her life, and--at least as painted by Haw--ended up having a lot of the credit for Benz' success as the inventor of the internal combustion engine. She created the environment and helped him find the will to create it, and she guided the engine to become the business success that it became. Haw paints a seamless picture of the world of that time, bathing the reader in it's attitudes and systems. There were a few things that seemed odd (Bertha's taking so long to realize the male-skewed nature of her world, for example, and what that meant for her as a woman), but they were a small corner of an otherwise flawless immersion. Benz seems to have been good as an inventor, but this book (and, it seems, history) leaves little doubt that so much of his success is due to his wife. What an impressive woma
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January 3, 2025This was supposed to be an interesting book. But in reality...it was kind of boring. Same stuff year after year in order to get the first automobile created. The main character is Bertha Ringer who marries Carl Benz. Of THE Mercedes Benz company (ultimately after decades). Bertha for reasons unknown to the reader is attracted to Carl as marriage material. Carl is an engineer who works in a lab and has a dream of creating an automobile. Though that term didn't enter the lexicon for years and years. They marry, and quite unusual for the time in Germany or really anywhere. Bertha uses her dowry money to keep Carl's business visions afloat. Several people take advantage of Carl Benz in the business / partnership realm. Time and again they take advantage of him. Bertha raises 4 kids and also works in his lab too. They always seem to be living on a shoestring.
The climax event of the book is when Bertha and two of her young teen sons take the car on what is likely a 75 mile journey to show it off at a convention. They go through all kinds of terrain and put themselves into danger due to the terrain or not knowing enough about parts (leather straps for the tires wear out and they have to find a shoemaker to make replacements for example).
I thought the book would be more interesting that it was, it dragged on for days and days with similiar plots just happening again and again. I can't recommend it to anyone for this reason.
The climax event of the book is when Bertha and two of her young teen sons take the car on what is likely a 75 mile journey to show it off at a convention. They go through all kinds of terrain and put themselves into danger due to the terrain or not knowing enough about parts (leather straps for the tires wear out and they have to find a shoemaker to make replacements for example).
I thought the book would be more interesting that it was, it dragged on for days and days with similiar plots just happening again and again. I can't recommend it to anyone for this reason.
August 23, 2024
This was a FANTASTIC story about Bertha Benz, wife of Carl Benz, who invented the automobile (motorwagon) and the second part of the now famous name, Mercedes-Benz. I was absolutely fascinated by this couple, as each were unique (and often misunderstood), especially for the time period in which they lived. The struggles they went through, the adversity they had to overcome (including people thinking they were of the devil for inventing a "horseless carriage"), the pain they experienced, friends and family who doubted them... and the joy and relief they experienced when their day finally came. I cherished every minute with this special family and am sad that our time together has come to an end. Important note: the author expressly writes that she took liberties with their story. She based as much as she could on accurate historical accounts, but filled in the blanks as necessary. However, I want to think their lives went exactly like this. Phenomenal storytelling!
May 14, 2024
There is so much to unwrap with this story, like Renee Rosen, this author, Penny Haw, writes a brilliant piece from history and makes us come to adore Bertha Benz, the woman behind the inventor. She is his wife, supporter, workshop partner, mother of his children and the one who believes in him most.
Although she had a great relationship with her father, she always "knew her place". When her older sisters move to America, she's left feeling quite alone.
Her relationship with her husband (and mom), her support and assistance in all of his endeavors, was truly admirable.
I enjoyed her tenacity and ability to do much more than other women of her generation.
Although she had a great relationship with her father, she always "knew her place". When her older sisters move to America, she's left feeling quite alone.
Her relationship with her husband (and mom), her support and assistance in all of his endeavors, was truly admirable.
I enjoyed her tenacity and ability to do much more than other women of her generation.
February 11, 2024
I loved this book about Bertha Benz, whose husband built the first prototype automobile, but this showcased the major role she played in its success. Fueled by reading in her father's journal sentiments when she was born that "unfortunately, only a girl," Bertha exemplifies strength and strategy and to never underestimate women. Recommend to anyone interested in history, strong female characters, innovation, and business.
January 1, 2024
I love a good inspiring story - I had no idea about. Bertha Benz and the story of her husband Carl Benz - the man behind the prototype of Mercedes Benz. I love reading about strong women whose lives have remained behind their husband's shadow, I am glad that her contributions are now celebrated in this inspiring story.
August 7, 2023
Such an interesting and engrossing book! Bertha Benz was an inspiring, determined and extraordinary woman and deserves to be recognized and acknowledged for her contribution in the success of the development of the Benz motorwagen and automobiles. In my opinion, there wouldn't be any Benz cars if it weren't for her.
The book has technical terms and machine parts, but that didn't hinder me from enjoying the book. It is also recommended to search for a picture of the Benz motorwagen before reading the book. The book is also fast-paced. The cover is beautiful!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The book has technical terms and machine parts, but that didn't hinder me from enjoying the book. It is also recommended to search for a picture of the Benz motorwagen before reading the book. The book is also fast-paced. The cover is beautiful!!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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