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Fatal Decision: Edith Cavell, World War I Nurse
Winner of the 2015 Midwest Book Award for Historical Fiction. An inspiring story everyone should know...and will never forget! Based on historical fact, this captivating novel tells the story of the legendary Edith Cavell, a British nurse whose duties as a healer clashed with the demands of a ruthless occupying regime during World War I. At the request of a brilliant, hot-headed surgeon, Edith went from London to Brussels to create Belgium's first school of nursing. At the height of her success, the German army marched into neutral Belgium and took over her hospital and school. Knowing the dangers of working against the repressive and brutal control of the German occupiers, Edith joined the Resistance movement. Her life was then plunged into the dangerous and clandestine world of the Belgian Underground, where she became a key link in the rescuing of Allied soldiers separated from their units. For nine months, this quiet, religious nurse went about saving over a thousand soldiers under the very noses of the German command. "Patriotism is not enough." -Edith Cavell This book is the second edition of "Fatal Decision: Edith Cavell WWI Nurse" by Terri Arthur
- GenresHistorical Fiction
504 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2014
58 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 14, 2013
I don't know how I got through nursing school without hearing about her. I love stories about WWI and WWII, and I love history of medicine. It was so wonderful to read some of these passages and discover how nursing has changed so drastically in some ways, but not in others.
October 17, 2017
WWI History Through Powerful Biography :
Trickery, usury, and ugly abuse of power remain undiminished in our world. So what steadies us? Read the unvarnished details about one risk-taking nurse in one clinic, in one city, during WW1, including the minutiae of living authentically in a treacherous situation. Each of us faces our own unique opportunities in life and this well-researched, unvarnished historical biography inspires us to take the big risks - for goodness sake!
Eleanor Cowan, author of : A History of a Pedophile's Wife: Memoir of a Canadian Teacher and Writer
Trickery, usury, and ugly abuse of power remain undiminished in our world. So what steadies us? Read the unvarnished details about one risk-taking nurse in one clinic, in one city, during WW1, including the minutiae of living authentically in a treacherous situation. Each of us faces our own unique opportunities in life and this well-researched, unvarnished historical biography inspires us to take the big risks - for goodness sake!
Eleanor Cowan, author of : A History of a Pedophile's Wife: Memoir of a Canadian Teacher and Writer
September 15, 2015
I would like to thank NetGalley and HenschelHAUS Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
So, to be totally honest, I didn't know anything about Edith Cavell before I came across this book. I read the description, thought it seemed interesting, and so I set out to read it. And having read it now, I definitely feel that I have missed out on not being more familiar with what was an obviously extraordinary woman. For those not familiar with her, she was a British WWI nurse who helped smuggle hundreds, if not thousands, of Allied troops out of Belgium under the noses of the Germans in occupied Brussels. New evidence has also come up to show that she was part of a British spy network. But she also never faltered in her duties as a nurse, and cared for any wounded soldier who came her way, whether he was British or French or German.
The book was obviously meticulously researched, and much of the information included was taken from Edith's own writings. I did a little basic research before reading the book, and I feel like the author did a good job making Edith into a person, and not just the martyr you imagine her to be. The strenuous life of a Nightingale nurse, the way Edith managed to overcome her fears, her courage in the face of her own death -- all was illustrated beautifully. Towards the end, though, she seemed to get... well, stupid. She was taking risks and making decisions that made me want to scream. It was as if she was completely cavalier about the risk of imprisonment or death at the hands of the Germans. It was extremely frustrating. I don't know if this was true in Edith's actual life, or if it was a liberty taken with the author, but I often wanted to just shake some sense into her.
My one complaint is that once she had actually been captured by the Germans, the book slowed down considerably. Perhaps it's because we all know what's going to happen -- Edith is going to be executed by the Germans, causing international outrage -- so it's hard to really build suspense, but I just didn't feel that section was as tense and nerve-wracking and scary as I had thought it would be. Her courage in the face of a death sentence, however, was done very well, as well as her strength in her faith. And the scene of her actual execution I thought was written beautifully, in a way that I think really paid tribute to Edith well, without being too gratuitous or violent (surprisingly enough).
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone interested in nursing, World War I, or just exceptional people in history.
So, to be totally honest, I didn't know anything about Edith Cavell before I came across this book. I read the description, thought it seemed interesting, and so I set out to read it. And having read it now, I definitely feel that I have missed out on not being more familiar with what was an obviously extraordinary woman. For those not familiar with her, she was a British WWI nurse who helped smuggle hundreds, if not thousands, of Allied troops out of Belgium under the noses of the Germans in occupied Brussels. New evidence has also come up to show that she was part of a British spy network. But she also never faltered in her duties as a nurse, and cared for any wounded soldier who came her way, whether he was British or French or German.
The book was obviously meticulously researched, and much of the information included was taken from Edith's own writings. I did a little basic research before reading the book, and I feel like the author did a good job making Edith into a person, and not just the martyr you imagine her to be. The strenuous life of a Nightingale nurse, the way Edith managed to overcome her fears, her courage in the face of her own death -- all was illustrated beautifully. Towards the end, though, she seemed to get... well, stupid. She was taking risks and making decisions that made me want to scream. It was as if she was completely cavalier about the risk of imprisonment or death at the hands of the Germans. It was extremely frustrating. I don't know if this was true in Edith's actual life, or if it was a liberty taken with the author, but I often wanted to just shake some sense into her.
My one complaint is that once she had actually been captured by the Germans, the book slowed down considerably. Perhaps it's because we all know what's going to happen -- Edith is going to be executed by the Germans, causing international outrage -- so it's hard to really build suspense, but I just didn't feel that section was as tense and nerve-wracking and scary as I had thought it would be. Her courage in the face of a death sentence, however, was done very well, as well as her strength in her faith. And the scene of her actual execution I thought was written beautifully, in a way that I think really paid tribute to Edith well, without being too gratuitous or violent (surprisingly enough).
Overall, I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone interested in nursing, World War I, or just exceptional people in history.
October 26, 2015
I was almost breathless when I finished this book.. I knew very little about WWI and had not heard of Edith Cavell so all was new and is very interesting. What Edith Cavell did for nursing and for WWI soldiers was told in a beautiful manner. Cavell clearly was a woman with a strong inner core and full of love and grace. Whatever is fictional in the book, it appears that Arthur did a lot of research so that the embellishments do not alter the true nature of the Cavell and her accomplishments.
May 16, 2022
Not the best book ever, but I had never heard of Edith Cavell and was happy to learn her story.
February 12, 2016
I've heard of Edith Cavell. I was aware of her execution just before the US entered WWI and of some of its effect on the latter. She has come up a couple of times in my reading lately.
I'm not enamored of the style of the book. The writing is very earnest and straightforward, and I expect that the point of going back to the beginning of Edith's nursing career, and spending a great deal of time following her through her training and postings into Belgium, was to demonstrate her character, to help indicate that what eventually happened was inevitable.
But it wasn't, really. What happened was that Edith Cavell was contacted by a friend in Belgium to come and help create a school of nursing there to renovate the way the profession was both viewed and taught. Then war came – the Great War – and Germany moved in to Belgium early, and, unsurprisingly, the occupation was brutal. And Miss Cavell became involved with a network of people who worked to locate English and French and Australian soldiers who had been separated from their units, treat any injuries, and then get them away to a neutral country. Miss Cavell – and, in my opinion, far too many other people in her school – hid anywhere from two to twenty men at a time in their basement before passing them on to someone else to move them.
What amazed me was the sheer carelessness of the whole operation. It may have been in the writing rather than the actual execution, but it was all so sloppy – it only seemed remarkable that the whole operation wasn't uncovered long before. And Miss Cavell's compulsion to keep records made my hair stand on end. She kept a "Hotel Register" of all the soldiers she helped. She gave them postcards to send back to her when they got safe (which they were to sign “Cousin Lucy”, but whose identity they explained as “my niece who lives in Amsterdam"). It was horrifying. It was terrifying.
And to follow the whole story knowing Miss Cavell's deep religious conviction, her powerful calling to heal and help … and knowing the result of her execution … "I heard that enlistments increased three times because of her." Her death was a large part of what brought the United States into the War. I can't believe that would have caused her anything but horror and guilt. The influx of men meant that Germany was defeated – but it also meant that thousands – millions – of men died who might otherwise never have been involved.
The writing was not what it might have been. “They are clever, these Belgian fools." (Erm) It was earnest and well-meant – written by an American Red Cross nurse – but it was a struggle at times.
Was Edith Cavell a hero? Absolutely. She selflessly and single-mindedly provided excellent care where few others were willing, and she was astonishingly courageous in her work with the Underground. But the end result was just so painfully ironic. But she was not made for espionage, and her testimony at the trial came as close to anything in the book to making me cry.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
I'm not enamored of the style of the book. The writing is very earnest and straightforward, and I expect that the point of going back to the beginning of Edith's nursing career, and spending a great deal of time following her through her training and postings into Belgium, was to demonstrate her character, to help indicate that what eventually happened was inevitable.
But it wasn't, really. What happened was that Edith Cavell was contacted by a friend in Belgium to come and help create a school of nursing there to renovate the way the profession was both viewed and taught. Then war came – the Great War – and Germany moved in to Belgium early, and, unsurprisingly, the occupation was brutal. And Miss Cavell became involved with a network of people who worked to locate English and French and Australian soldiers who had been separated from their units, treat any injuries, and then get them away to a neutral country. Miss Cavell – and, in my opinion, far too many other people in her school – hid anywhere from two to twenty men at a time in their basement before passing them on to someone else to move them.
What amazed me was the sheer carelessness of the whole operation. It may have been in the writing rather than the actual execution, but it was all so sloppy – it only seemed remarkable that the whole operation wasn't uncovered long before. And Miss Cavell's compulsion to keep records made my hair stand on end. She kept a "Hotel Register" of all the soldiers she helped. She gave them postcards to send back to her when they got safe (which they were to sign “Cousin Lucy”, but whose identity they explained as “my niece who lives in Amsterdam"). It was horrifying. It was terrifying.
And to follow the whole story knowing Miss Cavell's deep religious conviction, her powerful calling to heal and help … and knowing the result of her execution … "I heard that enlistments increased three times because of her." Her death was a large part of what brought the United States into the War. I can't believe that would have caused her anything but horror and guilt. The influx of men meant that Germany was defeated – but it also meant that thousands – millions – of men died who might otherwise never have been involved.
The writing was not what it might have been. “They are clever, these Belgian fools." (Erm) It was earnest and well-meant – written by an American Red Cross nurse – but it was a struggle at times.
Was Edith Cavell a hero? Absolutely. She selflessly and single-mindedly provided excellent care where few others were willing, and she was astonishingly courageous in her work with the Underground. But the end result was just so painfully ironic. But she was not made for espionage, and her testimony at the trial came as close to anything in the book to making me cry.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
July 5, 2016
Novel based on a true story of a British nurse who helped Allied soldiers to recover and escape in Belgium during WWI. The bravery shown by people such as Edith Cavell should never be forgotten, it is estimated she helped save the lives of around 1000 soldiers. She, and others, paid for this by being given a frankly laughable trial (the defence weren't even allowed to talk to their clients) and a hasty execution. If you are interested in WW history, then this is well worth a read. Rating: 4 stars.
June 13, 2013
Well written story of nurse Edith Cavell, (the Florence Nightingale of Belgium) WWI story of the horrors of the war and Edith as a hero. Humbling. I loved it. Great historical fiction that reminds me why I'm proud to be a nurse.
January 29, 2017
This novel is based upon the life of an amazing woman - Nurse Edith Cavell. It is a well written dramatized account of Edith's life and tragic death by author Terri Arthur, herself a nurse. The chapter on Edith's reburial, was so powerful that it brought a tear to my eye.
March 23, 2014
Great story of a British Nurse who worked for the resistance in Belgium during the WWI. Edith Cavell was executed by the Germans which prompted the United States to enter into WWI
June 6, 2015
As a nurse, I am amazed that I had not learned of Edith Cavell before reading this book. What an incredible, brave, dedicated professional.
June 27, 2018
Edith Cavell is an unfamiliar name to many but is a hero to millions around the world. Terri Arthur has given us a glimpse of the woman whose death may have been a turning point in World War I. Through Arthur we see a woman whose courage inspired many men to join their armed forces to fight Germany, courage to do the right thing, actions which benefited German and Allied soldiers.
The author's final comments reveal much about how she sees Cavell, in some ways different from how much of history has portrayed her. From Arthur we see Cavell as one who was passionate about her work and the people she served and worked with, devoted to her country and her God, and skilled in healing.
I read this book on Kindle so I don't know if some of the typos were formatting problems or bad proofreading but there were more than should have been. Nevertheless, this is a good story about a woman who should be better known.
Four stars waning
The author's final comments reveal much about how she sees Cavell, in some ways different from how much of history has portrayed her. From Arthur we see Cavell as one who was passionate about her work and the people she served and worked with, devoted to her country and her God, and skilled in healing.
I read this book on Kindle so I don't know if some of the typos were formatting problems or bad proofreading but there were more than should have been. Nevertheless, this is a good story about a woman who should be better known.
Four stars waning
November 11, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I had not heard of Edith Cavell before I bought this book. I found the story to be facinating and compelling. I had to force myself to stop reading and go to bed each night. The chapters were well written and concise. It was easy to find a good place to stop reading when it was time to put the book up. I also learned more about the history of nursing, the Red Cross, and WWI.The author researched and knew her subject. As I read the story I felt as if I was transported to Brussels during WWI. Edith Cavell was a remarkable woman and a heroine, She never compromised who she was and what she believed. I would highly recommend this book. Any one who is interested in Women's History, WWI history, or just wants to read a good book which happens to be based on a real person and real events should add this book to their library. I definately will read other books written by Terri Arthur. I plan on buying her book Power Failure.
October 24, 2020
I had never heard of WWI nurse Edith Cavell until a recent mention of her feast day on October 12th. I thought Terri Arthur did a great job imagining what Edith's life was like in Belgium as she started her nursing school and became a pioneering force in making nursing a respected profession. That she was unfairly tried as a war criminal by the Germans and subsequently executed was quite tragic and it's amazing how many Edith Cavell memorials there are in Europe, Australia, and North America. (
May 24, 2025
Amazing book!
I used to walk past the statue of Edith Cavell most days when I was working in London as a teenager and often wondered about her story, over the years I learned more about her but this lovely book gave me a greater understanding and insight into Edith's life ❤ 😢. Well done to Terri Arthur telling her story, this should be compulsory reading for every trainee nurse especially nowadays when so many see it as just another job! Instead of a calling,my Mother always told me Nurses are born, not made!
I used to walk past the statue of Edith Cavell most days when I was working in London as a teenager and often wondered about her story, over the years I learned more about her but this lovely book gave me a greater understanding and insight into Edith's life ❤ 😢. Well done to Terri Arthur telling her story, this should be compulsory reading for every trainee nurse especially nowadays when so many see it as just another job! Instead of a calling,my Mother always told me Nurses are born, not made!
August 12, 2022
I knew a little about Edith Cavell. Then I read a book that gave me more information and piqued my interest to learn more. That is why I chose this book. Reading this book made me realize how little I knew about her. What an amazing and inspiring woman. I really appreciated the many photographs in the book.
January 23, 2023
This historical fiction tells the story of a dedicated nurse turned heroine. Portayed beautifully, she comes to life in the pages. Edith Cavell touched so many lives, in so many ways. This novel fills in the blanks of her day to day strving for the good of many. You feel that dedication and love to fellow man and animals.
January 27, 2018
Well Done!
This novel steeped in historical fact will for de you to ask yourself hard questions about what lengths you would go in sacrificing for others at great personal risk. Well done!
This novel steeped in historical fact will for de you to ask yourself hard questions about what lengths you would go in sacrificing for others at great personal risk. Well done!
October 18, 2022
Amazing book about this incredible woman. I read it years ago, but my husband just read it and loved it too. Such insight into her life and of WWI that we are soon forgetting. Terri is an incredible writer as well. So glad she wrote this story!
January 11, 2023
It was amazing to hear that nurses at that time were considered less than desirable. Edith created a path that many of us wouldn't consider and she did it with poise, grace and unbelievable courage. This is a very good read!
January 19, 2026
I didn’t love the writing style, and Terri Arthur needs a new editor—the editing was horrible.
But the story was fascinating. What a remarkable woman! And how is it that she’s been lost to the history of nursing? Her memory belongs alongside that of Florence Nightingale.
But the story was fascinating. What a remarkable woman! And how is it that she’s been lost to the history of nursing? Her memory belongs alongside that of Florence Nightingale.
December 18, 2020
Amazing woman.
November 6, 2022
3.5 stars The story was interesting but a bit too long
May 1, 2024
"Isn't it ironic that people so dedicated to doing their duty can end up on such opposite sides?"
We all get to one side after all.
We all get to one side after all.
October 19, 2024
What a sad but powerful read. Makes me want to read more about this amazing woman and other brave souls like her.
Read
March 4, 2025 I found it boring and didn’t care what happened.
August 8, 2025
A powerful and inspirational read about the life of Edith Cavell. It made me smile and brought me to tears at the end. Well written, a remarkable story that will stay in my heart forever.
August 10, 2025
Amazing!
December 21, 2025
excellent compelling story of a remarkable woman. This is a story of bravery, intelligence, compassion and skills.
January 25, 2024
Nurse Cavell - an incredible humanitarian!
Thank you for bring this story back to present time. This woman saved lives before and after her death! She is an inspiration for all time.
Thank you for bring this story back to present time. This woman saved lives before and after her death! She is an inspiration for all time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews