Page 26 - IFV Issue 10 October 2023

Book Reviews

THE WOMAN AT real life of Bertha Benz, whose husband to cut ties. Bertha knows the decision
THE WHEEL built the first prototype automobile, would ruin everything. Ignoring the
BY PENNY HAW which eventually evolved into the cynics, she takes matters into her own
Mercedes-Benz marque. hands, secretly planning a scheme that
Carl Benz may be “Unfortunately, only a girl again.” will either hasten the family’s passage to
known as the “Father From a young age, Cäcilie Bertha absolute derision or prove their genius.
of the Automobile,” Ringer is fascinated by her father’s What Bertha doesn’t know is that Carl
but Bertha Benz was work as a master builder in Pforzheim, is on the cusp of making a deal with
the woman behind Germany. But those five words, which their nemesis. She’s not only risking her
the wheel driving the he wrote next to her name in the family marriage and their life’s work, but is also
world into a new era. Bible, haunt Bertha. up against the patriarchy, Carl’s own self-
Woman at the Wheel Years later, Bertha meets Carl Benz and doubt, and the clock.
is a gorgeous historical falls in love-with him and his extraordinary Like so many other women, Bertha
fiction novel that dream of building a horseless carriage. lived largely in her husband’s shadow,
takes a peek under the hood, examining Bertha has such faith in him that she but her contributions are now celebrated
the life of a fascinating woman who invests her dowry in his plans, a dicey in this inspiring story of perseverance,
refused to let men hit the brakes on her move since they alone believe in the resilience, and love.
revolutionary machine. machine. When Carl’s partners threaten
Inspiring historical fiction based on the to withdraw their support, he’s ready Price: R350.00

BE USEFUL: SEVEN Schwarzenegger. And this did not up for ourselves. He brings his insights
TOOLS OF LIFE happen by accident. to vivid life with compelling personal
BY ARNOLD Arnold’s stratospheric success stories, life-changing successes and
SCHWARZENEGGER happened as part of a process. As the life-threatening failures alike--some of
result of clear vision, big thinking, them famous, some told here for the
The seven rules to hard work, direct communication, first time ever.
follow to realise your resilient problem-solving, open- Too many of us struggle to disconnect
true purpose in life- minded curiosity, and a commitment from our self-pity and connect to our
distilled by Arnold to giving back. All of it guided by the purpose. At an early age, Arnold forged
Schwarzenegger from one lesson Arnold’s father hammered the mental tools to build the ladder out
his own journey of into him above all: be useful. As Arnold of the poverty and narrow-mindedness
ceaseless reinvention conquered every realm he entered, he of his rural Austrian hometown, tools
and extraordinary achievement, and kept his father’s adage close to his heart. he used to add rung after rung from
available for absolutely anyone. Written with his uniquely earnest, there. Now he has shared that wisdom
The world’s greatest bodybuilder. blunt, powerful voice, BE USEFUL with all of us. As he puts it, no one is
The world’s highest paid movie star. takes readers on an inspirational going to come rescue you - you only
The leader of the world’s sixth largest tour through Arnold’s toolkit for a have yourself. The good news, it turns
economy. That these are the same meaningful life. Arnold shows us how out, is that you are all you need.
person sounds like the setup to a to put those tools to work, in service of
joke. But this is no joke. This is Arnold whatever fulfilling future we can dream Price: R370.00

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 18: NO BRAINER
BY JEFF KINNEY

Up until now, middle school hasn’t exactly been a joyride for Greg Heffley. So, when the
town threatens to close the crumbling building, he’s not too broken up about it.
But when Greg realises this means he’s going to be sent to a different school than his best
friend, Rowley Jefferson, he changes his tune. Can Greg and his classmates save their school
before it shuts down for good? Or is this the start of a whole new chapter for Greg?

Price: R270.00

24 • Issue 10 2023 • The Villager