Page 43 - Waterfall City Issue 11 November 2023

THE WOMAN AT THE WHEEL
By Penny Haw
Years later, Bertha meets Carl Benz and falls in love-
Carl Benz may be known as the “Father of the with him and his extraordinary dream of building a
Automobile,” but Bertha Benz was the woman horseless carriage. Bertha has such faith in him that
behind the wheel driving the world into a new era. she invests her dowry in his plans, a dicey move
Woman at the Wheel is a gorgeous historical fiction since they alone believe in the machine. When
novel that takes a peek under the hood, examining Carl’s partners threaten to withdraw their support,
the life of a fascinating woman who refused to let he’s ready to cut ties. Bertha knows the decision
men hit the brakes on her revolutionary machine. would ruin everything. Ignoring the cynics, she
takes matters into her own hands, secretly planning a scheme
This is inspiring historical fiction, based on the real life of Bertha that will either hasten the family’s passage to absolute derision
Benz, whose husband built the first prototype automobile, or prove their genius. What Bertha doesn’t know is that Carl is
which eventually evolved into the Mercedes-Benz marque. 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
“Unfortunately, only a girl again.” the patriarchy, Carl’s own self-doubt, and the clock.

From a young age, Cäcilie Bertha Ringer is fascinated by her Like so many other women, Bertha lived largely in her husband’s
father’s work as a master builder in Pforzheim, Germany. But shadow, but her contributions are now celebrated in this
those five words, which he wrote next to her name in the family inspiring story of perseverance, resilience, and love.
Bible, haunt Bertha.
Price: R350.00

BE USEFUL:
SEVEN TOOLS FOR LIFE

By Arnold Schwarzenegger
Written with his uniquely
The seven rules to follow earnest, blunt, powerful
to realise your true voice, BE USEFUL takes
purpose in life – distilled readers on an inspirational
by Arnold Schwarzenegger tour through Arnold’s
from his own journey of toolkit for a meaningful life.
ceaseless reinvention and Arnold shows us how to
extraordinary achievement, put those tools to work, in service of
and available for absolutely anyone. whatever fulfilling future we can dream
up for ourselves. He brings his insights
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: The world’s greatest bodybuilder. to vivid life with compelling personal
NO BRAINER The world’s highest paid movie star. stories, life-changing successes and

The leader of the world’s sixth largest life-threatening failures alike--some of
By Jeff Kinney
economy. That these are the same them famous, some told here for the
person sounds like the setup to a first time ever.
Up until now, middle school hasn’t joke. But this is no joke. This is Arnold
exactly been a joyride for Greg Schwarzenegger. And this did not
Heffley. So, when the town threatens happen by accident. Too many of us struggle to disconnect
to close the crumbling building, he’s from our self-pity and connect to our
not too broken up about it. purpose. At an early age, Arnold forged
Arnold’s stratospheric success happened the mental tools to build the ladder out
as part of a process. As the result of clear of the poverty and narrow-mindedness
But when Greg realises this means vision, big thinking, hard work, direct
he’s going to be sent to a different communication, resilient problem- of his rural Austrian hometown, tools
school than his best friend, Rowley solving, open-minded curiosity, and he used to add rung after rung from
Jefferson, he changes his tune. Can a commitment to giving back. All of it there. Now he has shared that wisdom
Greg and his classmates save their guided by the one lesson Arnold’s father with all of us. As he puts it, no one is
school before it shuts down for good? hammered into him above all: be useful. going to come rescue you - you only
Or is this the start of a whole new As Arnold conquered every realm he have yourself. The good news, it turns
chapter for Greg? out, is that you are all you need.
entered, he kept his father’s adage close
Price: R270.00 to his heart. Price: R370.00

Waterfall City Issue 11 2023 41