The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
This is the story of Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mileva Maric. Mileva was a brilliant physicist in her own rights—she was the only woman studying physics at Zurich’s Polytechnic at a time when it was almost unheard of for women to go to college, let alone one as prestigious as the Polytechnic. While studying there Mileva met Albert and their courtship began. What is the real story of this woman who history has all but forgotten? Did she make her own meaningful contributions to science or did she give up her ambitions to be a wife and mother instead? These are the questions that make up the substance of this book. I found it to be a very captivating read!
Code Name Helen by Ariel Lawhorn
This is a truly fascinating read about Nancy Wake who was known by the Gestapo as the White Mouse. She continuously manages to evade the Gestapo. This “White Mouse” was an amazing lady. Not only did she become an influential leader in the French Resistance but she also completed a number of successful missions smuggling people over the border and to safety. She was known to wear bright red lipstick and curse worse than a sailor. Let me announce here there was tons of swearing in the book. I wasn’t a fan of it, however it is true to her character and I don’t believe in editing out the parts of people we don’t like so I decided to forgive the vulgar language in order to learn more about this brave woman who made such a contribution to the allies in World War II. Some parts of this book where the author, Ms Lawhorn, accurately describes the horrors of war are rough, but so is war—reader be warned! I highly recommend this book, it will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki
I didn’t know anything about Empress Elizabeth (SiSi) of Austria. Elizabeth ascended the Austrian throne during a very turbulent time in European history and was known for her outrageous beauty routines and for earning the respect of the people she presided over. There was a lot more to this Empress than just her renowned beauty. We know that the lives of the princesses we dreamt about as children were never as easy as we imagined—such was the case for Elizabeth (Sisi) of Austria. As a child Sisi enjoyed a great deal of freedom growing up as the doted upon daughter of a relatively inconsequential duke. All of that changed for Elizabeth when she accompanied her sister to the Austrian court. Elizabeth’s sister was intended to wed the emperor, Franz Joseph. However, upon arrival it was not her sister, but rather Elizabeth herself, who stole the affection of the Emperor quite without intending to. In less than a year Sisi had to prepare herself for life at court. The story of how she managed, not only to prepare for life at court but also how she managed court life, is told within the pages of this fictionalized account of Elizabeth’s life.