History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

The Woman at the Wheel Author: Penny Haw Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Release Date: 2023 Pages: 312 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. 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 wit...

The Invincible Miss Cust Author: Penny Haw Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Release Date: 2022 Pages: 320 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Aleen Cust has big dreams. And no one―not her family, society, or the law―will stop her. Born in Ireland in 1868 to an aristocratic English family, Aleen knows she is destined to work with animals, even if her family is appalled by the idea of a woman pursuing a veterinary career. Going against their wishes but with the encouragement of the guardian assigned to her upon her father's death, Aleen attends the New Veterinary College in Edinburgh, enrolling as A. I. Custance to spare her family the humiliation they fear. At last, she is on her way to becoming a veterinary surgeon! Little does she know her biggest obstacles lie ahead.       The Invincible Miss Cust is based on the real life of Aleen Isabel Cust, who defied her family and society to become Britai...