annebennett1957's review
3.0
Includes photographs of Nightingale, drawings made of her by other artists, and some documents she wrote or that were written during her lifetime. Includes source notes and an index. Target audience: grades 5-8.
worldlibraries's review
5.0
Wow! What a woman. This was an incredibly inspiring book. How magnificent to see a woman so consumed with what she loved and so sure of her correct course. She helped define and shape the career of nursing from scratch and due to the integrity with which she lived her life, most likely popularized nursing quickly as a 'safe' sector for women to have a career.
I think this book is especially useful in young adult collections because it shows young women how a pioneer female exercised power, how she put her own needs ahead of her family's when she needed to, and how she never compromised her vision if she thought her way was the best way. But the book is not just for girls. It is also for everyone.
Since nursing is one of the careers that will continue as others are replaced by automation, showcasing Florence Nightingale's story to young people interested in the medical sector is a safe bet for occupational awareness.
Catherine Reef, the author, brought deep research skills to this book and outstanding storytelling skills used to set the stage and explain Florence's mileau. The book itself was beautifully produced and illustrated. I want to read more of the author's books due to the excellence of this one.
Florence Nightingale's name will still be spoken 500 years from now, and deservedly so.
I think this book is especially useful in young adult collections because it shows young women how a pioneer female exercised power, how she put her own needs ahead of her family's when she needed to, and how she never compromised her vision if she thought her way was the best way. But the book is not just for girls. It is also for everyone.
Since nursing is one of the careers that will continue as others are replaced by automation, showcasing Florence Nightingale's story to young people interested in the medical sector is a safe bet for occupational awareness.
Catherine Reef, the author, brought deep research skills to this book and outstanding storytelling skills used to set the stage and explain Florence's mileau. The book itself was beautifully produced and illustrated. I want to read more of the author's books due to the excellence of this one.
Florence Nightingale's name will still be spoken 500 years from now, and deservedly so.
abigailbat's review
3.0
I was interested in Florence Nightingale since some other books (The Wonder) and shows (Mercy Street) have mentioned her and her nurse's training. I wanted to find out more about this strong woman.
Um, Florence Nightingale was amazing, y'all. She fought tooth and nail just to be allowed to have a job, to do the one thing that she was passionate about. And then she kicked ass. She took charge of hospitals during the Crimean War and saved thousands of lives. She revolutionized medical care in the British army (saving thousands more lives). She became a national hero.
This book was a little bit of a mixed bag for me. It's very informative and mostly interesting, but it takes awhile to get going. Part of this is that Nightingale spent her entire young adult life (up until her 30s) being kept from the work she so longed to do. About halfway through the book, we get to the Crimean War and that's where the action picked up a bit. The second half of the book was the meat I really wanted to get to. So the first half is a little frustrating, BUT imagine how it felt for Nightingale, so reading the first frustrating half really helps illuminate her achievements and make them that much more impressive.
I would hand this to kids who already have an interest in Florence Nightingale, nursing, or medical history. I wish it was a smaller trim size.
Um, Florence Nightingale was amazing, y'all. She fought tooth and nail just to be allowed to have a job, to do the one thing that she was passionate about. And then she kicked ass. She took charge of hospitals during the Crimean War and saved thousands of lives. She revolutionized medical care in the British army (saving thousands more lives). She became a national hero.
This book was a little bit of a mixed bag for me. It's very informative and mostly interesting, but it takes awhile to get going. Part of this is that Nightingale spent her entire young adult life (up until her 30s) being kept from the work she so longed to do. About halfway through the book, we get to the Crimean War and that's where the action picked up a bit. The second half of the book was the meat I really wanted to get to. So the first half is a little frustrating, BUT imagine how it felt for Nightingale, so reading the first frustrating half really helps illuminate her achievements and make them that much more impressive.
I would hand this to kids who already have an interest in Florence Nightingale, nursing, or medical history. I wish it was a smaller trim size.
nerfherder86's review
4.0
Nice detailed biography of the famous nurse. Nearly every page has a color illustration from Florence's life. I did not know that she pioneered using pie charts when reporting health statistics! She lived a long life, never married. Another unusual fact I did not know: the British actress Helena Bonham Carter is a descendant of a family that was related to the Nightingales.
erine's review against another edition
4.0
An accessible biography of a contemporary of Queen Victoria, Elizabeth Blackwell, and Elizabeth Gaskell. A woman who felt called to serve, but was frustrated by societal and family expectations, Florence Nightingale never ceased working for better conditions for the sick.
simsbrarian's review
5.0
This is nicely organized in chapters by roughly chronological order and written in a style that makes it nearly story-like while imparting details of Florence Nightingale's life and works. There is a decent notes section for each chapter (all at the back of the book) as well as a selected bibliography and index. Many pictures and portraits from Florence's life and the era are included (even some drawings done by her sister Parthenope); some in color and some in black and white or sepia. They add context and break up the pages nicely. Due to the story-like nature of the text, you also get a good flavor for the history of Europe and the World during her life: a bit on customs, dressing, politics and cultural happenings (as well as war and medical practices) which could appeal to fans of Downton Abbey style shows/stories.
Anything you didn’t like about it? Nothing
To whom would you recommend this book? Good for getting a solid (though aimed a younger audiences) biography of Florence Nightingale and moving beyond her couple years as a war nurse. Could be a great book for younger biographical reports or for older readers interested in this fascinating woman.
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Anything you didn’t like about it? Nothing
To whom would you recommend this book? Good for getting a solid (though aimed a younger audiences) biography of Florence Nightingale and moving beyond her couple years as a war nurse. Could be a great book for younger biographical reports or for older readers interested in this fascinating woman.
FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review. No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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