Not In Vain: The inspiring story of Ellis Shipp, pioneer woman doctor.

by Susan Evans McCloud

Under Susan McCloud's skillful hand the life story of Ellis Reynolds Shipp, the second woman doctor in Utah, becomes an engrossing drama of courage, determination, sacrifice, and fortitude. From meticulous research, with most of the dialogue having been taken verbatim from journals and family notes, the author unfolds a story that combines romantic love with life's realities.

Genres: Biography, Lds Fiction

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a remarkable biography of Ellis Shipp. She was truly an amazing woman representing the LDS ideals of mothers, wives, and still blessing the lives of others with her medical career.

[Cherie Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an incredible woman.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating to read about my 2nd great-grandaunt and her parents and grandparents.
My great-grandmother trained under her aunt, Dr. Shipp.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing/inspiring story! I like to read a biography occasionally about someone who affected American history, well this is a story of a woman who was a huge part of Utah history. I did a report on her when I was a teenager and read her autobiography (her published journal). Just recently I came across this book by McCloud, it had a lot more information than her autobiography. This is because her last entry in her journal was the day she graduated from Medical School with a few other memories recalled later on. This book also had information from letters written and others people's accounts of her life.

She was a pioneer who crossed the plains when she was five, and her life unfolds with life realities. She was always trying to improve upon herself and ended up going back East to medical school when she was 28-leaving behind children with her sister-wives. I don't want to give anything away...but she was able to save countless lives, train hundreds of women as midwives and delivered over 6000 babies with only 1 mother dying in a case where she was called to late. Trust me there are so many great parts of the book I didn't really give anything away. :) What she was able to accomplish in her life as a Utah woman I don't think has been matched (or at least I haven't heard of them yet).

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was interesting about the 2nd female doctor in the state of Utah. She was a plural wife, but she idolized her husband. Although I would have found him hard to live with. He was about 10 years her senior and I think he had 4 wives, but he didn't really want to stay around and take care of everyone he wanted to be out preaching the gospel and at the same time he sent Ellis to Pennsylvania to go to school to become a medical doctor. So the other wives stayed at home and tried to make a living and take care of all the children as well at Ellis's. She was a remarkable woman and was very hard working and very compassionate.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellis Shipp is my husbands 4th great aunt. I didn't know anything about her until my mother in law gave me this book with the geneology carefully handwritten in the opening pages. I am so very greatful for Ellis Shipp's incredible example of sacrifice, hard work, service, patience, and mothering. This story brought me to tears more than once as I read of the hardships Ellis struggled through, as well as the sweet insights into motherhood that she recorded in her journal. I couldn't put this book down!

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the slice of church history this provided: insight into plural marriage, the prophet Brigham Young, and the daily lives of these early Saints. I also appreciate the research done by the author using the journals of Ellis and her children to tell this story accurately.The journals basically went silent once Ellis became a practicing doctor, about 2/3 of the way through the book, and this made the story harder to tell, and therefore, harder to read and I found myself losing interest. I am amazed by what this woman accomplished while birthing 10 children over many years.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduced me as a teenager to Ellis R. Shipp, the second female doctor in Utah. She put herself through medical school while pregnant, having the baby, and going door to door selling dress patterns.

But when she came back to practice, she greatly advanced the help and care that women recieved. She helped found Deseret Hospital and trained many nurses and midwives.

Her love of the gospel, science, and service has made her one of my heroes.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible, once I picked it up I just couldn't put it down. The story of Ellis Ship is so amazing and so inspiring. Reading this book once doesn't seem like enough. There is so much to learn and gain from the life of this faithful and determined woman. I plan on reading this book again.

[Allie]

Recommended from Sisterhood Podcast. Biography of Ellis Shipp one of the first doctors in the UT territory. These pioneer women were just incredible. So fascinating to read their perspective on faith, and so painful to read about their suffering. Reminds me of how far we’ve come, how much we have, and the foundations we’re building on.

[Laura Craner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out my review of this book on my blog:
http://butnotunhappy.blogspot.com/200...

[Rinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story of Ellis Shipp, pioneer woman doctor. I liked the medicine part and her experiences being a polygamous wife. She was truely a saint.

[Teri]

The subtitle is The inspiring story of Ellis Shipp, pioneer woman doctor.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shipp hall at BYU is named after this remarkable woman. I loved this book and simply can't imagine every working as hard as this pioneer doctor.