Florence Nightingale

by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards

Inspiring story of Florence Nightingale from her earliest days as privileged daughter of an English squire to her role as Angel of the Crimea. Even as a young girl her nursing talents were evident as she doctored her dolls and ministered to sickly animals. With the training she received at hospitals on the Continent, she was ready when the call to the Crimea came. Facing unspeakable filth and disorganization, she and her staff of nurses cared for thousands of sick and wounded soldiers, earning their undying gratitude. Focuses on her preparation, her heroic and patriotic service during the Crimean war, and her life of service thereafter.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Classics, Biography Memoir, History, Audiobook, Ebooks

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards (27 February, 1850 – 14 January, 1943) was an American writer. She often published as Laura E. Richards & wrote more than 90 books including biographies, poetry, and several for children.

Her father was Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, an abolitionist and the founder of the Perkins Institution and Massachusetts School for the Blind. She was named after his famous deaf-blind pupil Laura Bridgman. Her mother Julia Ward Howe wrote the words to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspiration.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned about Florence Nightingale *and* the Crimean War by reading this book. I adore the imaginative way that Laura Elizabeth Richards writes. I foresee myself reading a lot of her work this year!

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book that's 110+ years old, it's held up pretty darn well.

At the beginning, it's extremely heavy on narrative and light on facts, but it becomes quite engrossing.

Needless to say, Florence Nightingale was a bad ass.

[Rachel Mantas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening story, though I do wish they went into more detail about the Crimean War.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a quick read about one of the most important women ever who caused paradigm shifts that created the safety of patient care and the field of nursing.

[Carolina García · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me acerqué a esta biografía de Florence Nightingale por el interés en su autora, entre las mujeres escritoras galardonadas con el Pulitzer en los primeros años de historia del premio, y por conocer más sobre un icono de mujer victoriana, capaz de sublimar las virtudes del “ángel del hogar” en la guerra. Sin embargo, creo que quizás debería haberme decantado por iniciarme con otra obra de Richards. Probablemente vuelva a intentarlo con la biografía de su madre, Julia Ward Howe.
La biografía de Nightingale es una excelente forma de aproximarse al mapa mental del reformismo social e higienismo de finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX en Inglaterra y Estados Unidos. Pero no aporta muchos más datos de los que, alguien ya familiarizado con la figura de la icónica enfermera inglesa y su revolución higiénico-sanitaria en los hospitales de campaña, podría saber antes de leer esta hagiografía de Richards. El estilo se me ha hecho un poco cuesta arriba, comenzando por el cuento infantil y terminando con la evocación tolstoiana de la caída de Sebastopol. Quizás me haya costado más por leerlo en inglés…Con todo, he disfrutado mucho teniendo la edición facsímil de 1909 entre mis manos.

[Gina Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to Florence Nightingale. It is a children's biography written while Ms. Nightingale was still alive. I'm having my sophomore read this one instead of a different one because of the length alone. She wanted a biography of Nightingale but her schedule is already pretty loaded so I didn't want to make it too much heavier. It was very romanticized and a bit pie in the sky as far as Ms. Nightingale's personality and how perfect she was. That said, I don't know that historical people need to be speculated about and viewed through the lens of modernity either...I do want to read Nightingales: The extraordinary Upbringing and Curious Life of Miss Florence Nightingale by Gillian Gill now to get a bit more rounded (and detailed!) view.

[Heidi Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Factoring in that this was published in 1909 (a year before Florence Nightingale died, I believe), it was pretty good. There was some good information, though I would have liked more. It was obviously written for an audience that has a different background knowledge than the modern reader. For example, I don’t know anything about the War of Crimea. As a modern reader, I wanted more information about that war and the time period. On the other hand, there was way too much unnecessary information. Did I learn a little about Florence Nightingale? Yes. But if felt like there were so many holes for readers not of that time period.

[Harleigh King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for school, and it was interesting, but it wasn't my favorite biography I've read. It was well-written and had a whimsical-sounding narrator, whoch is different from typical biographies. It also evaluates how childhood experiences can impact you and prepare you for your future. Though it wasn't my personal favorite, I would still recommend it as a very short and easy biography that would be beneficial for a student to read since this book explores good values like determination and kindness.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book as an audio book and thoroughly enjoyed it. First I have to point out that it was written in 1909!!!! Florence Nightingale was still alive! I learned a lot about the Crimean War of which I had known nothing. I found myself referring to maps and Google during this book, in order to keep up with the places and events. Nightingale was a real trail-blazer and because of her, there were many positive changes made in caring for wounded soldiers on the battle field.

[Camio.Dontchaknow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very broad overview written for kids. It almost departs into prose at times, and the author has several little asides, where she talks directly to the young reader about something she just wrote or will write in a moment. It’s an interesting lense to look at Nightingale through, and a lighthearted angle to tell her story. I think kids would respond well. I’d like to get my 8-year-old niece to read it. I’m sure she’d be fascinated.

[Jewel Stoltzfoos · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Drop a stone in the water and see how the circles spread, growing wider and wider. After a while you cannot see them, but you know that the motion you have started must go on and on till it whispers against the pebbles on the farther shore. So it is with a good deed or an evil one; we see its beginning; we cannot see what distant shore it may reach. So, no one will ever know the full amount of good that this noble woman has done.”
-Florence Nightingale: Angel of the Crimea, p. 97

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook narrated by Anna Fields.

I loved learning about Florence Nightingale! She was a woman on a mission and was born at a specific time in history for a very important purpose. What she was able to do is amazing. The author did a wonderful job of keeping the story interesting for children as well.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book aloud as part of Heart of Dakota's Revival to Revolution curriculum package. These Yesterday's Classics biographies are excellent! Earlier this year, we read "The Story of Napoleon," and both books were the perfect length, with enough detail to keep us interested and learning, but not so much that we get overwhelmed. I know more about Florence Nightingale after reading this short biography than I did before, and I believe my son both knows about her and cares about her contributions to the world. Definitely a win!

[Laura (lauinbooktopia) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written by someone who was almost coeval to Florence Nightingale (her father was mentor to Florence), having insights from the real events and the impact she had. It's a book for kids showing them how inspiring she was, though i dont think it met its purpose. It's educative but sometimes i forgets it's talking to kids (it directly addresses kids).

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is written for a younger audience and in an older style, but it's interesting and well researched. Florence truly was an angel of mercy. Her dedication saved lives and changed medicine.

The war in Crimea from the mid 1800s almost mirrors the current war in the Ukraine almost 200 years later. Different yet similar.

The authors mother wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of all the books I've read for school, this was the most engaging and interesting. The tone of the narrative is kind and friendly, speaking volumes about Florence Nightingale's work and personality.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and believe that if you'd like to learn about Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War, this is the book for you

[Caroline Brassard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in the early 1900s this book was written by a woman for ‘young people’
And reads smoothly despite the idéalisation reflected throughout the book. However, it is elegantly presented, mixing history, biography, discussion on social justice etc in an entertaining and enriching manner. Good for the young and the youthful of all
Ages.

[Leora · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book for children written in 1909. The one thing it shares with modern children's book is an over-simplification of the subject's life, with no warts at all. Otherwise it is more erudite than many an adult today could understand. How things have changed in 100 years!

[Lindsay Lemus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good biography of Florence Nightingale! She was such a wonderful lady and a true gift from God to these soldiers. I didn't even know anything about the Crimean War until this book so that peaks my interest to learn more. I recommend especially for young readers.

[Elyse Mouro · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gives WAY too much detail! It doesn't get to the point!

[Summer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amazing woman, but I didn't like the tone of this book. Also, it seemed to contain a lot of conjecture.

[Kelli Marcella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a brief account of the life of Florence Nightingale aimed at children. A nice listen for a nurse, I learned more about the founder of my profession.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely only read this to fill the Book About A Nurse mini challenge for the AToZReadingChallenge2021 to read a book about a nurse. It was a fun read, and gave some good characterization to history. I'm not sure why they recently reprinted this book. It is quite old and the language really reflects that. This is a kids book, but the wording and style is very dated.

[Jessica Perteet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book we read for British history for school. She was such a fascinating person to study.

[Nelleke Plouffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy the writing style…so Victorian, so flowery, so hagiographic! But the story drew me in. I would love to read a more detailed and nuanced biography, if anyone could suggest one.

[Evelyn Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75!!

[Sarah's library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing confused me a bit but it was an interesting read.

[Kenia Sedler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Abigail Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely written for children. Keeping that in mind, this book can be educational and enjoyable to read.