The only woman in the room (2019, Sourcebooks Landmark)
English language
Published Nov. 16, 2019 by Sourcebooks Landmark.
Hedy Kiesler is lucky. Her beauty leads to a starring role in a controversial film and marriage to a powerful Austrian arms dealer, allowing her to evade Nazi persecution despite her Jewish heritage. But Hedy is also intelligent. At lavish Vienna dinner parties, she overhears the Third Reich's plans. One night in 1937, desperate to escape her controlling husband and the rise of the Nazis, she disguises herself and flees her husband's castle. She lands in Hollywood, where she becomes Hedy Lamarr, screen star. But Hedy is keeping a secret even more shocking than her Jewish heritage: she is a scientist. She has an idea that might help the country and that might ease her guilt for escaping alone -- if anyone will listen to her.
An enjoyable quick read that taught me about pieces of history I was unaware of. The writing is ordinary and the second half of the book, where Hedy is in Hollywood, was somewhat disappointing. Not a lot of depth or literary value, but worthwhile for the history and perspective on the devaluation of women's contributions.
