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.

First of all, can we talk about that gorgeous cover?! I love it so much. The premise also drew me in right away. I really enjoy stories of the women behind the man we've all heard of. What a terrific idea to feature the Benz family! I did not know anything about Carl or Bertha before I started reading. Once I started reading, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

I really enjoyed reading about how Bertha's suggestions and ideas shaped the evolution of Carl's design, and how he (at times) treated her almost like an equal, even during this time period.

The author has clearly done her research, but it never gets in the way of the story. This is a truly engaging read.

I found the premise of this story to be very interesting. I loved learning about how Benz built his first car, and the support that came from a wife who in many ways was non-traditional. This book did feel a little bit slow at times, buT I still enjoyed the overall story.

This book was so good! This is the story of Bertha Benz, and how she helped her husband Carl Benz invent a horseless carriage. She was such a strong woman, and she always stood behind him. Even though her father had thought she "was just a girl," he had taught her a lot about business She used this knowledge to help her family and keep them going even though hard times. Even though she took care of a home and raised children, she wanted more. I liked how the author involved the children and made them a part of this discovery. The book was very well written and made me feel like I was there. It was great, and I want to read more by this author!

Historical fiction at its finest! I was fascinated by this story from the very start. 19th century Germany brings us the story of Bertha Benz, wife to Carl Benz, who built the first prototype Mercedes-Benz. The first horseless carriage if you will.
As the saying goes, the man is the head and the woman is the neck. This applies wholeheartedly in The Woman at the Wheel. Bertha, born Cäcilie Bertha Ringer, grows up following the Intricacies. of her brilliant businessman father. She comes across the writing of notes of herself and her siblings' births in his Bible. Next to her name reads "Unfortunately, only a girl again." This sentiment sparked a fire in Bertha.
Fast forward to 1869, where Bertha meets Carl Benz and his boneshaker, think bicycle. Bertha thinks to herself that a wider seat would surely be more comfortable. A thought that foreshadows the future for reshaping how her suggestions would ultimately be an influence, motivation, and cheerleader for Carl. Bertha enjoyed working on drawings and designs with Carl. "It filled me with joy and anticipation," she says and though she was only a girl, she could participate.
This was a fascinating, almost behind-the-scenes story, of how she worked with her husband, partner, and equal Carl Benz, who built the first prototype automobile Mercedes-Benz. Historical fiction enthusiasts, especially those interested in cars and inventions will love The Woman at the Wheel. It reads more like a journal entry and I learned more than I ever knew about the history of cars.
Make sure you read the Author's Note at the end - this was possibly my favorite and most enlightening piece of this book. An excellent, informative read!

The Woman at the Wheel
Penny Haw
Pub Date: October 3, 2023
Sourcebooks Landmark
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book was an 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.
This book was well written and so very interesting. Loved Haws pages of notes to give context and further reading to her story.
5 stars

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 has a great writing style, I enjoyed how good the story was. I was invested in what was going on in this time-period. I enjoyed getting to meet Bertha Benz, as I never heard of her. It does what I was looking for in this type of book and from previous books from Penny Haw. I can't wait to read more.

"Isn’t that another good reason to move? Wouldn’t you and the children see more of him if his work wasn’t so conveniently close to home?” she asked. How poorly my friend understood Carl. Indeed, the Mannheim Gas Engine Factory, which Carl, Emil, and Christian had established within months of selling the first four engines, occupied a large, new building on the other side of Carl’s original workshop. There, where they now employed forty other men to build and sell engines, Carl worked from dawn to dusk."