Katharine, the Wright Sister by Tracey Emerson Wood

 This remarkable story sheds light on the Wright sister, the mastermind of logistics behind the achievement of human flight. She was the powerful force and voice, full of enthusiasm and persuasion. Along with her two brothers, she was one of the architects striving to make the world a better place.

The story begins in Ohio in the latter part of the 19th century and reveals the Wright siblings’ passion, which started with a helicopter toy from their childhood. Their passion for flight persists throughout their lives, though it ebbs and flows with demands of busy lives. The secret to reigniting their passion is their sister, often overlooked in many stories.

The progression of the story reveals the detailed steps the brothers took and the crucial moments when their sister stepped in to keep the dream alive, starting with their strong traits.

Wilbur and Orville Wright were skilled at fixing things, and during the bicycle craze, there was a constant need for repairs. With the idea of flight at heart, they set up a bicycle business, working on bicycles in the front of the shop and building flying machines in the back.

They observed the birds to understand the mechanics of flight and read books by men obsessed with manned flight.

Meanwhile, Katharine pursues her studies at college, and upon returning home, she noticed that her brothers were so busy with the bicycle shop that their dream of aviation advancement was taking a back seat. Thus, she challenged them to refocus on their passion.

As the brothers tested new models on the beaches of North Carolina, Katharine stayed home to manage the bicycle shop, as they needed the income to fund their dream. She also became the mastermind behind securing the necessary supplies and convincing people to support their goal.

The reader witnesses the meticulous thought process which reveals the science of flight, the thrill of the first take-offs lasting for seconds, and the persistence to make flights last longer and climb higher.

The characters are further developed through their thoughts of caring for each other, as each flight carries its risk.

Filled with dreams, obstacles, attempts, persistence, and above all, support for each other, the story also highlights Katharine, an incredible woman who craved to live her own life despite the obstacles she faced as a woman in a male-driven world.

This in depth journey brings to life fascinating characters and their strong will and support for each other, leading to one of the greatest advancements in aviation.

Review originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com

Published in September 2024

Source: Sourcebooks Landmark