Wheels of Change

Sue Macy has written a charming yet comprehensive history of bicycling. Narrator Meredith Orlow's spirited delivery perfectly matches this freewheeling topic. Her enthusiasm is contagious as she covers a wide range of people, time periods, and places. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton are quoted in support of the importance of the bike to women's rights. They believed that once women took to their bicycles, there would be no going back. One woman candidly admitted that having a bike was as important as having a husband. It's fascinating that something we take for granted today so strongly influenced clothing, literature, music, art, and law in an earlier era. Even though many sources are cited, the audio format keeps listeners engaged. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine