Florence Nightingale was for a time the most famous woman in Britain–if not the world. We know her today primarily as a saintly character, pe...
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Feb 05, 2009
"Through the facts [Nightingale] always saw lives," writes Gill, author of books on Agatha Christie and Mary Baker Eddy. Such is also true of Gill, who abandons historical speculation in favor of fastidious reliance on diaries and letters from Nightingale's family, friends, and colleagues. Although one of many existing biographies, Nightingales is one of the first to thoroughly examine the relationship between her public and private life. Besides vividly evoking Austenesque mores, Gill
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May 16, 2010
Lizzie
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A terrific biography of Florence Nightingale and her family, from a feminist perspective. It’s the kind of detailed biography I love, with little side trips into politics of the day, family history, and military detail.
At the age of 17 FN had a religious experience that convinced her she was to have a life of service to God. From that point, she sought to be trained as a nurse or in the administration of an institution like a hospital.
As one would expect, her upper middle class fami More...
At the age of 17 FN had a religious experience that convinced her she was to have a life of service to God. From that point, she sought to be trained as a nurse or in the administration of an institution like a hospital.
As one would expect, her upper middle class fami More...
Oct 22, 2009
Sarah
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I cannot tell you how suprised I am to have liked this as much as I did. Before picking up this book, I had little knowledge and less interest in the saintly nursing pioneer and got the book only because I had enjoyed another Victorian-era biography by the author, Gillian Gill (We Two: Victoria and Albert, Rules, Partners, Rivals). As it turns out, Nightingale is actually an incredibly fascinating figure--brilliant, highly cultured, moody, wildly charismatic, fiercely ambitious, and just craz
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Jul 21, 2011
Christina
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I enjoyed this book a lot! If you're into the 19th century, the Nightingales are so well-connected that this book reads like a who's who. In the family tree, you can even figure out how Helena Bonham Carter is related to Florence Nightingale! Gill paints a lively, sympathetic picture of the often dysfunctional family. Loved her pacing and touches of humor. Is it worse to be a living legend or the sister/father/mother/cousin/niece of a living legend? The scenes in the Crimea are not for the faint
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Jan 27, 2011
Marisa
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I read this book after Gillian Gill's excellent "We Two" (the story of Victoria and Albert). And I was not disappointed. Gill mines a tremendous amount of correspondence to inform her writing, but the book is never dull. A wonderful biography of a woman who played such a major role in the development of our modern health care system, at a time when women were not encouraged to be leaders.
Aug 23, 2010
Emma
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I read this while I was waiting for Gill's other book, We Two, to come to my library. Another really detailed account of life in the nineteenth century. I really enjoyed learning about the then-medical establishment's growth in terms of infectious disease treatments. Also the info about Florence Nightingale's big family said a lot about Victorian society.
Feb 24, 2010
Lisa
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Very interesting biography. Never knew much about her or her family, so it was great. Took a while to get through... her family's situations read like a Jane Austen novel! Enjoyed reading how she believed that God had called her to her work. The work she did at that time in history was extremely edgy. She was truly an early feminist (in a good way!)
Jan 16, 2008
Christine
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The best part of this book was the depth with which the author explored Nightingale's upbringing and family. It really brought together a complete picture of the woman and her life/mission. Florence Nightingale is way more than just "that famous nurse." She was really a person both of and ahead of her time, and if that sounds like a contradiction, Gillian Gill does an excellent job of illuminating just how it happened. My only complaint--the author really loves her thesaurus! I ha
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Jun 22, 2010
Anna
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Probably the thickest book i ever read... i loved this story because you learned of a wealthy family and how they lived and the small faith that grows within Florence and the simple love she has... being all alone through her life and how she deals with it.. was a good book that took me a while but glad i read it.
Nov 30, 2010
Angela
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This was a completely absorbing book not only giving insights into Florence Nightingale's character but also providing many interesting details about life and expectations in Victorian England.
Mar 26, 2010
Whitney
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Quite a compellingly-written book about not only the eccentric and formidable Florence Nightingale but her oftentimes conflicted but tightly-knit relationship with her family. Ms. Gill dissects Florence's family life and its impact on her development as thoughtfully as any careful researcher but throughout the book you can tell that in spite of Florence's very human deficiencies Gill honestly likes Florence -- and her family. She appreciates Florence's cutting wit, admires her implacable drive a
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Nov 20, 2011
Wendy
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What a lovely insightful bio. Gill is a wonderful researcher but creates a readable work that is not dry. Loved it.
Jun 27, 2011
Beni
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It was slow and long but filled with history of the period and of the medical field. But slow and long. I did read it all!!!
Oct 13, 2009
Susan
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Great book. Reads like a novel yet provides so much historical fiction, not only of "Flo" but of the entire Victorian Era.
Dec 24, 2010
Omg she was CRAZY. And i'm a nurse who takes my prof heritage seriously-- but flo was nuts
Jan 19, 2010
Betsy
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An excellent read about a fascinating person. Other reviews describe this book as a "novelistic biography," which I found to be true. It's very readable, and provides well-researched information as well as clearly identified interpretations or theories about Nightingale and her life. The abundant details about Nightingale and her family provide a strong sense for the person she really was--driven, competent, charismatic, conflicted, and complex. A highly recommended read.
Sep 26, 2007
Weinz
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Love loved it. I love WEN. For a Eurpean Victorian man, he went against what was expected and where society led him. He taught his daughters, not only taught them but thoroughly instructed them in law, Greek, Latin and extensive history. When society mores taught him to view his daughters as lesser humans he maintained their individualism and independence. He gave Florence a salary and let her live away from home. Unheard of at that time. FN was who she was because of him.
Jul 23, 2010
It really was fascinating. Well, at least the first third was. I couldn't get through it, I just couldn't. And after not reading it for book club after a month and a half, after all my extensions at the library had worn out, I decided just to take it back and maybe try again another time. It really was a fascinating read, so well researched and incredibly well-written, just not real engrossing. Next time. Next time I'll pick it up and get through it. Next time.
Jan 14, 2012
Trina
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I wish I could say I read this. I just couldn't do it. I thought it was a biography - it's not. The author clearly says so in the prologue. Despite that I decided to push forward. It is an abundance of information about the people in Nightingales life, her family. Included are some peripheral members of the family as well as some significant friends. ... if you think my review is boring...
Aug 23, 2008
Laura
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I didn't know very much about Florence Nightingale before reading this book and she did remarkable things! The book is very "wordy" and goes into so much detail that it was hard to get through. More like someone's thesis than a gripping life story. But I have a great appreciation for the lady!
Jun 20, 2009
Megan
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This isn't the exact book, I read, because they don't have the one I read in this program. I was awed with the work conditions and terrible things that this nurse saw and dealt with. I admire her courage and love and her endless service!
Feb 11, 2008
Allison
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It's an interesting look at Florence Nightingale, her family, and her era. The only problem was there was way too much detail and it was easy at times to get bogged down. A good edit would have made it more interesting.
Dec 17, 2009
Sariah
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Excellent biography of Florence Nightingale, her family, and the times they lived in. Learned several things about Nightingale that I never knew before; for example she saw her nursing as a divine mission from God.
Jun 20, 2009
Lisa
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I loved this book. It really taught me a lot about Florence Nightingale and how professional nursing began. I'd definitely recommend it to my nurse friends and anyone interested in women's history.
Nov 10, 2008
I'm hoping this is the book I read as a child, one of the only books I remember checking out from my first library, Smiley Library in Redlands, Calif.
Jun 13, 2009
Elaine
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Finally finished this book. Tedious and boring. Read like a textbook for the most part. It was a gift and I felt I had to read it.
Sep 27, 2008
Well written and fascinating. I knew nothing about "the lady with a lamp" before this book and am glad that I have been educated.
