Published in time for the 100th anniversary of the first flight, here is the first complete biography of the Wright Brothers' sister. Beloved sibling, confidant, and caregiver, Katharine managed many of her brothers' affairs. Based on a thorough study of her personal papers and the Wright archives, The Wright Sister tells a touching personal story, and casts a uniquely intimate light on the lives of two of the twentieth century's most famous men.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up-Working from Katharine Wright's papers, correspondence, and family archives, Maurer chronicles the events surrounding Wilbur and Orville, while all along filling in the details of their younger sister's life and the relationship among the three. This strong young woman took over running the household at age 15 when her mother died. Encouraged to pursue a higher education by her father, a bishop, she graduated from Oberlin College and later became its second female trustee. Her teaching career did seem to take a backseat to managing her brothers' affairs and appointments after their historic flight. To some observers, and as Maurer establishes, she was "the third member of the team." But he dispels, as Katharine did, the notion that she actually sewed the muslin to cover the wings and measured the wood to build the Flyer. The Wright Sister is a handsome piece of bookmaking. Maurer has found photographs not used elsewhere that help to focus on Katharine and give this treatment a unique touch.
Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 5-9. Written for an older audience than the one for Jane Yolen's My Brothers' Flying Machine [BKL Mr 1 2003], this handsome biography also spotlights the inventors' sister. Katharine Wright ran the household for her older brothers and their father during the years when Orville and Wilbur were developing and promoting their airplane. A graduate of Oberlin College, she gave up her career as a teacher to help them turn their airplane from a curiosity into a viable business. Clearly reflecting the societal rules and expectations of the time, the book portrays Katharine as an intelligent woman, valued for her role within the family, yet restricted by it. Even her brothers emerge as individuals here rather than the interchangeable "Wright brothers" found in many presentations. Quotations from diaries and letters bring the close-knit Wright family to life, making it all the more poignant when readers discover that Orville refused to see Katharine after her marriage at the age of 52, relenting only when she was on her deathbed. The layout is spacious, and the many well-chosen, black-and-white photos help visualize the Wrights and their times. An author's note and an extensive list of sources are appended. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Wright Sister,
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This review is from: Wright Sister, The (Hardcover)
Katherine was a woman of her times, although she graduated from college, which was rare at that time, and the first in her family to go to college. The book reflected those times. The relationships in the book were sensitively portrayed, and quite accurate. Katherine was an inteligent, warm woman, and was support for her brothers, and was sometimes called the third Wright Brother. She was charming and outgong, which helped the reticent Orville after Wilbur died. Through her eyes, you could find a relationship with her brothers. I recommend the book because it puts a face on the era, the place (Dayton, Ohio and Kittyhawk, NC) and the efforts and success of the brothers Wright.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it,
By
This review is from: Wright Sister, The (Hardcover)
Loved this book. Katharine Wright inspired me to want to name my daughter (if I have one)Katharine. But I wish people would spell Katharine Wright's name RIGHT in reviews. AR, not ER in the Katharine.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Story of little known Wright Sister,
By "erikacjames" (Texas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Wright Sister, The (Hardcover)
This is a book with many stories- the Wright brother's efforts to fly and consequent fame, life at the turn of the century and what was expected from women. Not many women today could relate to this book about Katherine Wright's dedication to her family. Even though she was an educated woman, she gave up her life to take care of her family and almost missed out on a chance for love late in life. Although aimed at older children I think adults would enjoy reading the book and browsing the photos.
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