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Florence Nightingale: A Life From Beginning to End
Florence Nightingale Florence Nightingale is usually thought of for her work in the Crimean War, where, as the "Lady with the Lamp," she tirelessly nursed wounded soldiers at all hours of the night and day. But while these two years were a significant part of her life, she was also much more. She was a daughter and sister who consternated her family by refusing to accept the role Victorian society assigned her. Later, she completed groundbreaking work in the fields of public health and statistics and wielded her vast influence to affect important reforms. Inside you will read about... - Nursing Dolls and Dogs - Leading a Double Life - Travel and Depression - Heading to the Crimean War - More than the Lady with the Lamp - Final Years and Death And much more! Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing, and her ideas continue to resound in the field of healthcare even today. Though she certainly had faults, her life is a fascinating story of courage and determination.
42 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2018
About the author
Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 10, 2018
Since I come from a different part of the world, I didn't grow up knowing a lot about Florence Nightingale, but it's a name I've heard on and off. One day I noticed this book was free on Amazon, and I decided to learn more about this historical figure. Hourly History series books aren't long, from what I've heard – so this one's a mere 38 pages, but it doesn't fail to tell the story well. I enjoyed reading it and learning more about Florence Nightingale. What I liked best is that it doesn't just make her a superhero – it talks about her often foul temper and her health problems as well, and the way she struggled to be accepted by her family for the way she wanted to live her life.
But it also seems to do a good job, summing up the way she lived her life and her goals she wanted to achieve – constantly striving to be better and to work not because you have to, but because that's how you improve the world and the lives of others.
Florence Nightingale can teach us not only the strength of staying with your goals despite life trampling all over you, but also the passion to walk the path that YOU have chosen to walk – not that others have chosen for you because of propriety or prestige.
Anyone struggling with their career path or a feeling of pointlessness or aimlessness about their direction if life should read Florence's story, because it will certainly inspire not to lose hope about finally being able to be true to yourself – no matter how long it takes you to start walking that path.
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August 25, 2020
Interesting
The mother of nursing... such a great quick read with information about Florence. I wonder how she would feel if she saw nursing today?
The mother of nursing... such a great quick read with information about Florence. I wonder how she would feel if she saw nursing today?
August 8, 2020
Good read!
April 16, 2022
The most important nurse of all time?
A quick read. Amazing how hard it was to do even the simplest nursing task in the Victorian age. Florence was no saint. Just a professional.
A quick read. Amazing how hard it was to do even the simplest nursing task in the Victorian age. Florence was no saint. Just a professional.
February 4, 2020
This is an example of my favorite type of biography. The author did not white-wash Florence Nightingale's history. It offers a balance between her personal life, her attempts to create nursing as an honorable profession, her difficulties with people in power, and how she moved British medicine to better, and more compassionate care. That is a remarkable amount of change in one person's life.
I particularly liked that the author reminded readers that Nightingale had to create all this change while women did not have the vote or even the right to force medical leaders (who were almost all men) to make changes. She did this by learning statistics and compiling data. When she wrote about the problems and showed them with actual numbers, she was believed. Her facts were irrefutable.
It seems that Florence spent almost her whole life changing people's minds. Her most difficult adversaries (to her plans and intentions) were her parents and older sister. It seems as if changing the world's mind was much easier to change than her parents'.
This is a very balanced story of Florence's life; as she got older and less well, she became grouchier and harder to deal with. This book pulls no punches about her irascible behavior. Florence Nightingale was a powerful force for good, but she was also very human. Thanks for a great overview of an important life.
I particularly liked that the author reminded readers that Nightingale had to create all this change while women did not have the vote or even the right to force medical leaders (who were almost all men) to make changes. She did this by learning statistics and compiling data. When she wrote about the problems and showed them with actual numbers, she was believed. Her facts were irrefutable.
It seems that Florence spent almost her whole life changing people's minds. Her most difficult adversaries (to her plans and intentions) were her parents and older sister. It seems as if changing the world's mind was much easier to change than her parents'.
This is a very balanced story of Florence's life; as she got older and less well, she became grouchier and harder to deal with. This book pulls no punches about her irascible behavior. Florence Nightingale was a powerful force for good, but she was also very human. Thanks for a great overview of an important life.
May 11, 2021
Simply put... Florence was a pimp.
The publisher's portrayal of Flo being a grouchy cat lady in her tenure is kind of a shallow disappointment. Rather, she was a talented woman who had to put up with some serious bulls**t (in healthcare and in gender roles) to do what was right for humans.
Her perseverance is admirable.
The publisher's portrayal of Flo being a grouchy cat lady in her tenure is kind of a shallow disappointment. Rather, she was a talented woman who had to put up with some serious bulls**t (in healthcare and in gender roles) to do what was right for humans.
Her perseverance is admirable.
December 1, 2021
"Florence Nightingale deserves to be remembered not just as the near- saccharine 'Lady with the Lamp". This sums up the description of the celebrity who redefined health care and its administration. The book delves into the life of Florence and her family till she chose to pursue her passion and went on to become an icon.
February 21, 2018
Out of all of the Hourly History biographies and histories that I have read, this is the only one that grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go. I was mesmerized by Florence Nightingale's story. What a truly inspiring individual.
February 2, 2020
Informative!
So enjoyed reading this book. I am thankful that the author revealed the positive and not so endearing facets of her strong personality.
So enjoyed reading this book. I am thankful that the author revealed the positive and not so endearing facets of her strong personality.
August 18, 2022
A short but informative read recounting the life of Florence Nightingale that you can finish in one sitting. Before reading this I only knew that she was a nurse during ‘some’ war, so learning about her story, personality and those who supported her was an eye opener. I’m definitely interested in reading about her life and her time period in more detail.
September 24, 2021
There is more to being familiar with a name and thinking...oh she was a nurse. HH gives the facts and dispels the myths. She wasn't a darling.
August 4, 2025
A remarkable biography about the mother of modern nursing.
Florence had a beautiful calling from God to serve. Since childhood she was interested in taking care of her dolls and sick relatives. The desire of studying and working as a nurse was against her family’s wishes, she struggled a lot with depression due to her parents’ demands.
When allowed to study and follow her desired career, in a society were feminine roles were well defined and expected to be followed. Nightingale decided to go against society’s expectations and follow her desire to nurse.
Due to her work, modern healthcare was changed forever, and many lives were saved. Much of what we know now about hospitals and patient’s treatment was influenced by her.
As a tending soul, she served and took care of many wounded soldiers back then during the Crimea war, claiming the importance of a clean environment for recovering patients way before the world knew about bacterias and germs.
Despite her achievements, she struggled internally and was seen by many as a very headstrong and perfectionist worker, expecting perfection from people in her environment, she was often rude and demanding, disrupting the image of “a saint” created by the public.
Nightingale wasn’t perfect, but her assertive personality and perfectionist mind helped shape the world we have today. A woman emerged in a male dominated society, and she managed to influence generations to come, forever in history.
Florence had a beautiful calling from God to serve. Since childhood she was interested in taking care of her dolls and sick relatives. The desire of studying and working as a nurse was against her family’s wishes, she struggled a lot with depression due to her parents’ demands.
When allowed to study and follow her desired career, in a society were feminine roles were well defined and expected to be followed. Nightingale decided to go against society’s expectations and follow her desire to nurse.
Due to her work, modern healthcare was changed forever, and many lives were saved. Much of what we know now about hospitals and patient’s treatment was influenced by her.
As a tending soul, she served and took care of many wounded soldiers back then during the Crimea war, claiming the importance of a clean environment for recovering patients way before the world knew about bacterias and germs.
Despite her achievements, she struggled internally and was seen by many as a very headstrong and perfectionist worker, expecting perfection from people in her environment, she was often rude and demanding, disrupting the image of “a saint” created by the public.
Nightingale wasn’t perfect, but her assertive personality and perfectionist mind helped shape the world we have today. A woman emerged in a male dominated society, and she managed to influence generations to come, forever in history.
May 13, 2020
This book,Florence Nightingale was a book that was read to me when I was little,not this one but simular to it! This book was so very well written and so very informative on her life. It starts out when she was born and follows her through her life and her accomplishments she went until her death when she turned 90. The story is very well written and you can tell the book was very well researched with names of so many people who were in her life and helped her and the struggles Florence went through to do what she believed in and to nurse the ones who needed her and to educate. This is a historical fiction book that is a very good read! Who would have known from the 1800's to 2020 we have come as far as we have come since the day a little girl wanted to not be just a woman to grow up,get married and have babies,but to be educated like the boys,men in that day were only done but to prove that little girls had dreams that they were just as smart as a man and that their dreams can come true also. She paid the price as you will read in this book but you have to give up something to get something else and better!
April 14, 2026
The book is excellent - compacting a complicated life in a condensed narrative without having me feel it was condensed. We get to see Florence face her challenges, triumph over them and live long enough to see her facade crack and her feet of clay exposed. This is history not fiction so there is no fairytale ending of "happily ever after." Her life made an impact. Mostly positive but not void of negatives. I read once of a type A personality who had little patience for others that didn't have the same drive. A faithful friend pointed out to them a 4-cylinder engine can never have the same output as an 8-cylinder engine no matter how hard it is pushed. It can do the best it can and no more. Florence needed that advice.
July 10, 2023
When I think of Florence Nightingale what comes to mind is the lady with the lamp taking care of wounded soldiers during the Crimean War.
The book gives us information about her upbringing, work and character - she was not always amiable and could be demanding. She came from a privileged background, was intelligent and educated so it was no surprise that when she wanted to become a nurse, her request was denied. This is also due to the time period she lived in.
I enjoyed reading about her life, her determined and independent mind set and also some of her reforms such as improving sanitary conditions. Nursing became a respected profession due to her efforts.
The book gives us information about her upbringing, work and character - she was not always amiable and could be demanding. She came from a privileged background, was intelligent and educated so it was no surprise that when she wanted to become a nurse, her request was denied. This is also due to the time period she lived in.
I enjoyed reading about her life, her determined and independent mind set and also some of her reforms such as improving sanitary conditions. Nursing became a respected profession due to her efforts.
June 18, 2025
Really enjoyed this book.
This is the first time I've ever read her entire life history and am truly impressed. Maybe she wasn't the nicest person but she was driven and passionate in a way that changed history. Today, it seems unimaginable that woman were as restricted as they were in those days. Yet she was able to overcome many of the social restrictions of the time to change the world of healthcare for the better.
It was interesting to read about her childhood and early life experiences. It's sad she didn't have the best relationship with her family but it wasn't terrible or abusive either, beyond the social restrictions of the time.
Very good read.
This is the first time I've ever read her entire life history and am truly impressed. Maybe she wasn't the nicest person but she was driven and passionate in a way that changed history. Today, it seems unimaginable that woman were as restricted as they were in those days. Yet she was able to overcome many of the social restrictions of the time to change the world of healthcare for the better.
It was interesting to read about her childhood and early life experiences. It's sad she didn't have the best relationship with her family but it wasn't terrible or abusive either, beyond the social restrictions of the time.
Very good read.
April 1, 2019
This one hour history of Florence Nightengale was surprisingly detailed. She is considered the founder of modern nursing because of numerous important ideas she promoted, such as the availability of 24 hour nursing care. She believed nursing should not be just about the treatment of an illness but involves the consideration of the patient in their environment. She changed healthcare through her innovative use of statistics, emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions and plans based on evidence.
April 4, 2026
Short and sweet
Like all books in this series, it is meant to be read in about an hour. The review of Nightingales life is very quick and to the point. I for one would like to hear more detail on her struggles during and after war to improve triage medicine. That's up to the reader to take up on their own since this is really just an overview.
I learned a lot of things that I didn't know and was enlightened on several others.
A good short book on a very impressive person.
Like all books in this series, it is meant to be read in about an hour. The review of Nightingales life is very quick and to the point. I for one would like to hear more detail on her struggles during and after war to improve triage medicine. That's up to the reader to take up on their own since this is really just an overview.
I learned a lot of things that I didn't know and was enlightened on several others.
A good short book on a very impressive person.
January 9, 2019
I learned a lot about her in this book. I thought she was this super nurse but turns out she was more of an administrator. She was the first to start health care reform back in the late 1800's! She also started a nursing school. Giving women a professional place to work was not easy in the Victorian age. While she could be harsh & abrasive, she still loved her nurses & helping people.
June 7, 2019
Another great short bio of an influential person
Having a spouse in the same profession that is a great fan of Florence Nightingale's patient centered method and a stickler for evidence based nursing I felt compelled to read this book. I found it well written, informative, and concise. Great book
Having a spouse in the same profession that is a great fan of Florence Nightingale's patient centered method and a stickler for evidence based nursing I felt compelled to read this book. I found it well written, informative, and concise. Great book
June 1, 2021
Very good read
This short biography of Florence Nightingale helps put into perspective her overall contribution to medical science. A true pioneer in her field and one can only wonder what greater things she could have accomplished if early on she would have been encouraged and supported.
This short biography of Florence Nightingale helps put into perspective her overall contribution to medical science. A true pioneer in her field and one can only wonder what greater things she could have accomplished if early on she would have been encouraged and supported.
February 1, 2019
Florence was an intelligent and dedicated woman. This short book was well written, and described her life and her determination to help improve the conditions in the hospitals in the care of the sick and injured.
April 2, 2019
A concise biography ...
...of an important but often overlooked figure from history. I really like the format of this series so one can read about an historical figure in only a short time. Well-written.
...of an important but often overlooked figure from history. I really like the format of this series so one can read about an historical figure in only a short time. Well-written.
June 23, 2019
Is that the Nightingale...
We have all benefited from Flo’s devotion to service and love for humanity no matter ones social status.
Thank you Florence and may you find the rest that you missed in living.
We have all benefited from Flo’s devotion to service and love for humanity no matter ones social status.
Thank you Florence and may you find the rest that you missed in living.
August 4, 2020
Should be required reading for nursing students
I have been a nurse ,pursuing various degrees and never read about her. Your book was well done and I was touched by her determination to improve less than substandard care. I thoroughly enjoyed it many thanks.Lauralee
I have been a nurse ,pursuing various degrees and never read about her. Your book was well done and I was touched by her determination to improve less than substandard care. I thoroughly enjoyed it many thanks.Lauralee
December 14, 2022
Cant believe I have always believed Nightingale to be in music, mostly because of the commonly used phrase, "she sings like a Nightingale"
Imagine my shock to read that she was in healthcare 😂😂😂
Grateful for books and knowledge o
Imagine my shock to read that she was in healthcare 😂😂😂
Grateful for books and knowledge o
January 16, 2023
An excellent overview of parts of Florence's life and style that are little known. I great read for women and men alike to bolster an understanding of how difficult it was in the 19th Century for women who wanted to be all they could be.
February 11, 2023
Short and good insight to Florence life
This book is easy and quick read but gives you a good insight to her life, where she comes from, done in her life and how she died.
Good and joyful read.
This book is easy and quick read but gives you a good insight to her life, where she comes from, done in her life and how she died.
Good and joyful read.
February 9, 2020
Florence Nightingale
Great read.. such an important woman in history
I love the hourly history books. They leave out the superfluous and zero in on the important aspects.
Great read.. such an important woman in history
I love the hourly history books. They leave out the superfluous and zero in on the important aspects.
March 15, 2020
A nice biography of Ms. Nightingale that, while short, was quite balanced. She was no saint, but accomplished much over her long lifetime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews