The Engineer's Wife

An excellent historical fiction novel about Emily Warren Roebling, Washington Roebling’s wife . Wash as he was known completed the Brooklyn Bridge after his father’s death. Wash, the chief engineer is injured with Caisson disease and Emily must take over the day to day operation even though she has no training. At first Emily serves as a messenger for her husband but eventually adds her own ideas to the project. Caisson’s disease effects their marriage in various ways. Emily finds solace in her relationship with P.T. Barnum who makes her laugh and feel carefree. Wash harbors the thought that Emily is having an affair with Barnum and that effects their marriage also. At the end of the story he makes Emily choose between the two of them. The history of the building of the bridge is fascinating. Thanks to netgalley and Sourcebook for allowing me to preview this great historical novel.

The Engineer’s Wife by Tracey Enerson Wood
In honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, I’m making it a point to read literature that shines a light on women who persevered. When I saw, The Engineer’s Wife, I knew I had to read it right away. Emily Warren Roebling’s story is remarkable. I knew just bits and pieces of her involvement with the Brooklyn Bridge. She persevered despite many obstacles. I found the bridge building information interesting. It was a realistic retelling of all the joys and tragedies involved in the project. The discussion around women’s suffrage and other women’s issues was eye opening. The hindrances 19th century women had to face are mind-boggling. The author introduces us to a female inventor who had to use a man’s name just to get attention for her product. Emily’s decision to switch to Bloomers instead of corsets and full length gowns is another example of her innovative behavior. After the bridge’s completion, the author mentions Emily’s desire to attend law school. A goal she accomplished later in life.
While most of the book is true to the historical record, I wasn’t comfortable with the liberties the author took with Emily’s relationship with P.T. Barnum. In her notes, the author explains that this part of the story was based on reasonable speculation. With this plot line, I would have appreciated more authenticity and less fabrication. Barnum is such a colorful character with flair and wit.
The story moved at a good pace for me. I also appreciated the related plot lines such as her brother’s Civil War experience, Caisson disease and how best to minimize the effects, other bridge projects, and the tragic consequences caused by an unscrupulous contractor who used an inferior product for greater profits.
I would recommend this book with enthusiasm to fans of historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of the ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. #TheEngineer’sWife #NetGalley

I adored this book. I loved learning about bridge building and all that was involved but the characters and what happened next really pulled me in. A great read.

The Engineer's Wife, by Tracey Enerson Wood, was a wonder!  The main character, Emily Roebling, becomes a force in the building of The Brooklyn Bridge.  In the late 1800's she takes on a job that no woman had ever dreamed of.  The job of Project Engineer was first assigned to her husband, but when he falls ill, it is Emily that steps in to fill his shoes.  With no professional training, Emily works hard to grasp this groundbreaking construction project.  Emily is brutally thrown into a man's world.  She is constantly faced with adversity and poor treatment by her male counterparts.  The men of the day have little faith in Emily.  Worse yet, they have little tolerance of a woman on their job site, making decisions, and acting as their supervisor.  Emily becomes educated in her skills by way of her husbands guidance, the study of math and science, and by trial and error.  Emily makes some poor decisions, some even costing lives.  Although struck by these fatalities, Emily pushes on.  Her proactive and reactive behavior proves herself both physically and mentally.  If not for Emily's drive and ambition, the project would not have become the monumental structure that it is.  Emily followed this project through completion, but may have lost her somewhat neglected family along the way.
As a female engineer myself, I can't tell you how much I could relate to Emily and her strive for equality.  The obstacles she faced  in trying to lead men in this industry were near impossible, if not a bit shady.  I am sad to  say, not much has changed in our world since this time.  Respect and equality do not come without price.  I found the story, especially the technical writing, to be of great interest.  An engineering project like this is an engineers dream.  I was sorry to hear that lives were lost and some less than casual accidents incurred.  I was sometimes shocked at the confidence Emily demonstrated with such new design and structural elements.  I also enjoyed the side story of Roebling, Emily's husband's family, who played part in the wire industry, as well as her interactions with the famous PT Barnum.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with the opportunity to review this ARC  in turn for my honest opinion of the book.

This book was received as an ARC from SOURCEBOOKS Landmark in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I could not be more inspired by this book and the fact it was based on a true story was even more striking to read. Emily was the wife of the engineer Wash of whom she put her dreams on hold of fighting for women's suffrage and follow her Husband's dreams of building to what is now known as the Brooklyn Bridge. When Wash gets a terrible injury, Emily is now in place to take over his job in constructing the bridge. With Wash not being able to return, the project becomes Emily's and she is now consumed by it. With her marriage at risk and all she has ever known, she wonders whose legacy this really is, hers or her husbands? Will she be the one recognized in constructing this American Icon? This is a great book to read in schools and a good history lesson to definitely teach in the curriculum.
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We will consider adding this title to our Historical Fiction collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Fascinating! Did not know anything about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and particularly the woman who was do important to getting it done. Will be recommending this book a lot, also plan to read other books about this topic.