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Heroines of Mercy Street: The Real Nurses of the Civil War
A look at the lives of the real nurses depicted in the PBS show Mercy Street
HEROINES OF MERCY STREET tells the true stories of the nurses at Mansion House, the Alexandria, Virginia, mansion turned war-time hospital and setting for the new PBS drama Mercy Street. Among the Union soldiers, doctors, wounded men from both sides, freed slaves, politicians, speculators, and spies who passed through the hospital in the crossroads of the Civil War, were nurses who gave their time freely and willingly to save lives and aid the wounded.
These women saw casualties on a scale Americans had never seen before, and medicine was at a turning point. HEROINES OF MERCY STREET follows the lives of women like Dorothea Dix, Mary Phinney, Anne Reading, and more before, during, and after their epic struggle in Alexandria and reveals their personal contributions to this astounding period in the advancement of medicine.
HEROINES OF MERCY STREET tells the true stories of the nurses at Mansion House, the Alexandria, Virginia, mansion turned war-time hospital and setting for the new PBS drama Mercy Street. Among the Union soldiers, doctors, wounded men from both sides, freed slaves, politicians, speculators, and spies who passed through the hospital in the crossroads of the Civil War, were nurses who gave their time freely and willingly to save lives and aid the wounded.
These women saw casualties on a scale Americans had never seen before, and medicine was at a turning point. HEROINES OF MERCY STREET follows the lives of women like Dorothea Dix, Mary Phinney, Anne Reading, and more before, during, and after their epic struggle in Alexandria and reveals their personal contributions to this astounding period in the advancement of medicine.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 16, 2016
75 people are currently reading
1425 people want to read
About the author
Pamela D. Toler
11 books111 followersI'm an academic renegade
The first day of my PhD program at University of Chicago, my advisor said, "You know there are no jobs, right?" I knew, but I didn't care. I wanted to write about history for a broader audience than the other five people interested in my dissertation topic. I wanted to write for history buffs and nerdy kids and the general intelligent reader. (That would be you, right?)
Officially my degree is in the history of the Indian sub-continent, with strong sub-fields in European imperialism and Islam. I feel strongly that the West in general and Americans in particular need to know more about the history of other parts of the world. That belief is often reflected in the topics I choose to write about, whether I'm working on a small story (feather hats in ancient Peru, anyone?) or a big one (Mankind: the Story of All of Us).
These days I write about a wide range of historical topics for history buffs, nerdy kids and--you get the idea. On any given day I could be working on World War I recruiting posters, the mud mosques of West Africa, the first European translation of the Arabian Nights, Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, or the history of absinth. At least half the time I'm writing outside of "my field", exploring odd corners of the past with field-tested research skills, a red-hot library card, and a large bump of curiosity.
Basically, I'm interested in the times and places where two cultures meet and change each other. Come along for the ride.
The first day of my PhD program at University of Chicago, my advisor said, "You know there are no jobs, right?" I knew, but I didn't care. I wanted to write about history for a broader audience than the other five people interested in my dissertation topic. I wanted to write for history buffs and nerdy kids and the general intelligent reader. (That would be you, right?)
Officially my degree is in the history of the Indian sub-continent, with strong sub-fields in European imperialism and Islam. I feel strongly that the West in general and Americans in particular need to know more about the history of other parts of the world. That belief is often reflected in the topics I choose to write about, whether I'm working on a small story (feather hats in ancient Peru, anyone?) or a big one (Mankind: the Story of All of Us).
These days I write about a wide range of historical topics for history buffs, nerdy kids and--you get the idea. On any given day I could be working on World War I recruiting posters, the mud mosques of West Africa, the first European translation of the Arabian Nights, Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, or the history of absinth. At least half the time I'm writing outside of "my field", exploring odd corners of the past with field-tested research skills, a red-hot library card, and a large bump of curiosity.
Basically, I'm interested in the times and places where two cultures meet and change each other. Come along for the ride.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 18, 2016
This is a brief look into the lives of the real women who served as nurses during the Civil War. The mastermind behind the idea of female nurses was Florence Nightingale in the Crimea, a decade earlier. Dorothea Dix, best known for prison reform, followed up on Nightingale's triumph in the Crimea during the Civil War. Nurses were supposed to spinsters or widows over 30, plain and upright. No frills and hoopskirts were allowed. The Confederate states did not have an organized system of female nurses owing to the tradition of "true womanhood" where women did not work outside the home. What they did have, however, were visitors, like the character Emma Green in the series, who informally visits the boys and helps make them more comfortable.
It surprised me to learn that the real life Mary Phinney Von Olnhausen was over 40 when she was sent to Mansion House and by the end of the war, she was almost 50. Her husband died from complications following surgery- not lingering for long and she had been living on the prairie in Illinois helping family. There was no real life budding romance with Dr. Foster, in fact there doesn't seem to have been a Dr. Foster at all. After less than two years at Mansion House, she moved to North Carolina to work at a new hospital there and then a less attractive location in North Carolina. She went on to become a nurse during the Franco-Prussian War in Germany.
What is true is that Mary Von Olnhausen and other female nurses were looked down on by the male doctors. The real life Dr. Summers doubted a lady would withstand the conditions and do the job necessary but Mary made him change his mind. What is also true is that Mary fought corruption and the seward was a constant foe. Sewards and cooks found they could sell prime foodstuffs on the black market and line their own pockets rather than help the soldiers recover with nourishing food. This was a battle Mary never seemed to win.
On the partly true side, there was a nurse named Anne Reading, and she did have at least one drunken episode. I will have to read Mary's diary and see if they were really antagonists. They did not work together long.
This book describes the nursing duties of famous women like Clara Barton, Louisa May Alcott (Nurse Tribulation Periwinkle Hospital Sketches and those whose named remain unknown to most Americans. There were several different nursing groups at that time and women used their roles as reformers and community leaders to make a difference.
This book is short and brief. There are some gory descriptions of hospital life that were tough to read. The book left me wanting to know more about the individual women, especially Mary, the main character in Mercy Street. It isn't necessary to have seen the series to read this book. It's a good overview but not quite in-depth enough for me. I would have also liked to see some unpublished sources used, if there are any. I will have to make that a subject for exploration at a future date.
It surprised me to learn that the real life Mary Phinney Von Olnhausen was over 40 when she was sent to Mansion House and by the end of the war, she was almost 50. Her husband died from complications following surgery- not lingering for long and she had been living on the prairie in Illinois helping family. There was no real life budding romance with Dr. Foster, in fact there doesn't seem to have been a Dr. Foster at all. After less than two years at Mansion House, she moved to North Carolina to work at a new hospital there and then a less attractive location in North Carolina. She went on to become a nurse during the Franco-Prussian War in Germany.
What is true is that Mary Von Olnhausen and other female nurses were looked down on by the male doctors. The real life Dr. Summers doubted a lady would withstand the conditions and do the job necessary but Mary made him change his mind. What is also true is that Mary fought corruption and the seward was a constant foe. Sewards and cooks found they could sell prime foodstuffs on the black market and line their own pockets rather than help the soldiers recover with nourishing food. This was a battle Mary never seemed to win.
On the partly true side, there was a nurse named Anne Reading, and she did have at least one drunken episode. I will have to read Mary's diary and see if they were really antagonists. They did not work together long.
This book describes the nursing duties of famous women like Clara Barton, Louisa May Alcott (Nurse Tribulation Periwinkle Hospital Sketches and those whose named remain unknown to most Americans. There were several different nursing groups at that time and women used their roles as reformers and community leaders to make a difference.
This book is short and brief. There are some gory descriptions of hospital life that were tough to read. The book left me wanting to know more about the individual women, especially Mary, the main character in Mercy Street. It isn't necessary to have seen the series to read this book. It's a good overview but not quite in-depth enough for me. I would have also liked to see some unpublished sources used, if there are any. I will have to make that a subject for exploration at a future date.
January 2, 2025
Extensive historical account of Civil War expectations, rejections, and many life experiences of those desiring to contribute as nurses.
March 20, 2016
I was very excited to read this week that Mercy Street will have a 2nd season!!! A little research indicates that Mary Phinney Von Olnhausen's final resting location is at Mount Auburn. While I dislike going to cemeteries, this is a visit that must take place. Oh and the book is not too deep but readable(maybe a 3.5 overall). And while there are no photos from the series in the book, the cover photo is a joy.
February 6, 2016
I won this book in a giveaway so first, just want to say thank you very much! I really got into the characters and the whole story. I got wrapped up and felt like I was really in the time period and walked away with a better understanding of what was going on in the lives from people in the Civil War.
February 9, 2016
This review was written for the Library Journal Magazine.
It is hard to imagine today that nursing as a professional field of medicine did not exist until the Civil War. Those breaking the mold, Florence Nightingale, Dorothea Dix, and Clara Barton helped nurses solidified their future in medicine. In Heroines, Dr. Pamela Toler (Mankind: The Story of All of Us) tells the experiences of Civil War nurses who started their nursing careers at the historical Mansion House in Alexandria, Virginia. While most nurses were untrained with only a desire to serve, Toler chronicles the encounters of Georgeanna Woolsey, Hannah Ropes, Mary Phinney von Olnhausen and Louisa May Alcott as they trained themselves to deal with the most horrific conditions and injuries in hospitals, camps, and transport ships. Most Civil War nurses worked long difficult hours, suffering themselves. They faced arrogant and chauvinistic physicians as well as cheating hospital stewards who deprived patients and nurses of supplies. The nursing staff were not immune to disease given that it was the most common cause of death. Von Olnhausen suffered from yellow fever. Ropes and Alcott also came down with typhoid pneumonia. VERDICT: Easy to read and well researched, Toler’s book illustrates beginnings of nursing as a designated medical field of practice.
It is hard to imagine today that nursing as a professional field of medicine did not exist until the Civil War. Those breaking the mold, Florence Nightingale, Dorothea Dix, and Clara Barton helped nurses solidified their future in medicine. In Heroines, Dr. Pamela Toler (Mankind: The Story of All of Us) tells the experiences of Civil War nurses who started their nursing careers at the historical Mansion House in Alexandria, Virginia. While most nurses were untrained with only a desire to serve, Toler chronicles the encounters of Georgeanna Woolsey, Hannah Ropes, Mary Phinney von Olnhausen and Louisa May Alcott as they trained themselves to deal with the most horrific conditions and injuries in hospitals, camps, and transport ships. Most Civil War nurses worked long difficult hours, suffering themselves. They faced arrogant and chauvinistic physicians as well as cheating hospital stewards who deprived patients and nurses of supplies. The nursing staff were not immune to disease given that it was the most common cause of death. Von Olnhausen suffered from yellow fever. Ropes and Alcott also came down with typhoid pneumonia. VERDICT: Easy to read and well researched, Toler’s book illustrates beginnings of nursing as a designated medical field of practice.
August 12, 2018
If you have never seen Mercy Street, which aired on PBS, what is wrong with you?
If you have, read this book. In an very readable book, Dr. Toler has presented the true facts behind the Mercy Street series. Of course, the series was far different, but the real life stories are just as interesting.
Toler does not just look at the hospitals in Washington DC, but other area as well. The only flaw, if flaw it is, is a somewhat brief look at the Confederate nurses, but considering the difference in strucutre and source issues, this isn't that surprising.
Toler's book makes the point that we should know more than the simple history - the ones that are taught in text books - because the nurses during the Civil War are women who should be remembered far more widely.
If you have, read this book. In an very readable book, Dr. Toler has presented the true facts behind the Mercy Street series. Of course, the series was far different, but the real life stories are just as interesting.
Toler does not just look at the hospitals in Washington DC, but other area as well. The only flaw, if flaw it is, is a somewhat brief look at the Confederate nurses, but considering the difference in strucutre and source issues, this isn't that surprising.
Toler's book makes the point that we should know more than the simple history - the ones that are taught in text books - because the nurses during the Civil War are women who should be remembered far more widely.
May 3, 2020
It is truly amazing how much those brave women did with most of them no education!!
May 11, 2016
AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall: 5 Narration: 5 Story: 5
Don’t think that you will find the clearly navigable bones of the television show here – some of the characters do share name and backstories, but the reality of these actual lives, painstakingly and thoroughly researched and presented by Pamela D. Toler, PhD, is gripping and intriguing.
Remember that during the American Civil War, nursing (even medicine in the modern sense) was in its infancy. The first woman of renown to challenge that belief was Florence Nightengale, and her work in Crimea and London that first brought the profession forward, are depicted through letters, journals and diaries as well as books brings a whole new light on the first notable moments of nurses in America.
Stories from Mary Phinney von Olnhausen, Dorothea Dix, as well as Louisa May Alcott, Clara Barton, the Woolsey sisters and others, as well as accounts from stewards, surgeons, officers, politicians and others all help to show both the social and physical trials that these women faced, even as they are keeping pace with advancements (and the often brutal methods) of ‘current’ medical treatment.
Research for this story is effectively presented: this isn’t a dry read, in fact, the narration by Suzanne Toren helps to provide a sense of life to these women, known and unknown, that puts the letters into a frame that is accessible to all readers, not just those interested in history or the facts. I’ve actually given copies of this title to friends who are nurses, and can wholeheartedly suggest this for readers with or without an interest in history or the US Civil War. If you are a fan of the PBS Series, or are interested in learning more about the women who made history – this is the title for you.
I received an audiobook copy of the title from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
Stars: Overall: 5 Narration: 5 Story: 5
Don’t think that you will find the clearly navigable bones of the television show here – some of the characters do share name and backstories, but the reality of these actual lives, painstakingly and thoroughly researched and presented by Pamela D. Toler, PhD, is gripping and intriguing.
Remember that during the American Civil War, nursing (even medicine in the modern sense) was in its infancy. The first woman of renown to challenge that belief was Florence Nightengale, and her work in Crimea and London that first brought the profession forward, are depicted through letters, journals and diaries as well as books brings a whole new light on the first notable moments of nurses in America.
Stories from Mary Phinney von Olnhausen, Dorothea Dix, as well as Louisa May Alcott, Clara Barton, the Woolsey sisters and others, as well as accounts from stewards, surgeons, officers, politicians and others all help to show both the social and physical trials that these women faced, even as they are keeping pace with advancements (and the often brutal methods) of ‘current’ medical treatment.
Research for this story is effectively presented: this isn’t a dry read, in fact, the narration by Suzanne Toren helps to provide a sense of life to these women, known and unknown, that puts the letters into a frame that is accessible to all readers, not just those interested in history or the facts. I’ve actually given copies of this title to friends who are nurses, and can wholeheartedly suggest this for readers with or without an interest in history or the US Civil War. If you are a fan of the PBS Series, or are interested in learning more about the women who made history – this is the title for you.
I received an audiobook copy of the title from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
April 20, 2018
I’m no feminist but nothing demonstrates male terror of female ability better than attempts at prohibition “for their own good”.
May 29, 2020
During the American Civil War, we see for the first time middle class women seeking work for a variety of reasons--economic need as farms and other businesses failed, opportunity to do something to support male family member's war efforts, opportunity to be a part of something greater than oneself, answer of a spiritual call to action. Some heeded to the call to nurse.
Pamela D. Toler writes about nurses who served with such love and courage that they seem to be alive in some parallel reality, definitely not long dead.
The accessibility of this book can fool a reader into thinking this is an overview, a light read. It is not. The subject is serious, treated with respect, bases are covered, personalities and characters well described, nursing challenges described, a variety of hospitals described, and more yet. This a well written book worthy of respect.
Pamela D. Toler writes about nurses who served with such love and courage that they seem to be alive in some parallel reality, definitely not long dead.
The accessibility of this book can fool a reader into thinking this is an overview, a light read. It is not. The subject is serious, treated with respect, bases are covered, personalities and characters well described, nursing challenges described, a variety of hospitals described, and more yet. This a well written book worthy of respect.
September 3, 2016
Very interesting and informative about the beginnings of Professional Nursing as well as the amazing women who served as nurses during the Civil War.
June 10, 2017
Being an enormous fan of the expertly done PBS show of the same name, I was thrilled to learn there was a companion book. (As an aside, if you are a fan of the show, the Facebook page is filled with lovely historical photographs and daily details of the era). While I enjoyed the book and was intrigued by this somewhat ignored perspective of the Civil War, I felt it could have been organized better. Either focus on one influential nurse at a time or chronologically. Too often the book would state simply it was May and list a battle assuming the reader knew the year or bounce between nurses, hospitals and the timeline of the war that it was hard to get your bearings.
If you stop trying to follow the timeline and just enjoy the details and stories of the amazing strength and bravery these women showed you will enjoy the read more.
If you stop trying to follow the timeline and just enjoy the details and stories of the amazing strength and bravery these women showed you will enjoy the read more.
September 27, 2025
I found it interesting and inspiring but wasn’t clear what was fiction or nonfiction (unless he referenced a source). I guess his writing style was too dry for me. I learned some though.
April 1, 2017
An absolutely fascinating and well written book about the history of nursing during the Civil War.
February 7, 2017
How I read and appreciated this book (which is great on audiobook, by the way) was not as a "real lives of" for a TV show, but as a historical unearthing of women's contributions to medicine and welfare in America, and their under-appreciated role in the Civil War. It was very cool to hear the various kinds of bullshit women battled and overcame from institutions that were shabby to begin with.
Here's a fun fact: the male doctor establishment was against women becoming doctors because they were scared that their female patients would prefer going to female doctors, especially for intimate areas. Which was a valid concern after all, since the shame of her friend's examination experience (before dying of uterine cancer) was what led Elizabeth Blackwell to become the first female doctor in America.
Another fun fact: Blackwell got into Geneva College of Medicine when the school's board let students vote whether to admit a woman--assuming they'd vote no--and the students voted yes--likely thinking it was a joke. And after she graduated first in her class, they then backtracked and forbade women, including her sister, saying it had been an "experiment" (which failed with a woman graduating first in the class?)
Aaand another fun fact: yet another thing that made things rough for female doctors was that the term "female doctors" was associated with abortionists, making it even tougher for women doctors to get treated with dignity.
Here's a fun fact: the male doctor establishment was against women becoming doctors because they were scared that their female patients would prefer going to female doctors, especially for intimate areas. Which was a valid concern after all, since the shame of her friend's examination experience (before dying of uterine cancer) was what led Elizabeth Blackwell to become the first female doctor in America.
Another fun fact: Blackwell got into Geneva College of Medicine when the school's board let students vote whether to admit a woman--assuming they'd vote no--and the students voted yes--likely thinking it was a joke. And after she graduated first in her class, they then backtracked and forbade women, including her sister, saying it had been an "experiment" (which failed with a woman graduating first in the class?)
Aaand another fun fact: yet another thing that made things rough for female doctors was that the term "female doctors" was associated with abortionists, making it even tougher for women doctors to get treated with dignity.
April 24, 2016
Since I thoroughly enjoyed the first season of PBS's Mercy Street, I decided to read this book since the series (there's a second season coming) is based on this book. Some readers might be disappointed that the emphasis on the book are not exactly like some of the characters onscreen. However, I loved it because the author fleshes out the REAL nurses whose careers began during the Civil War - there were NO nurses until then, and nurses were given very little respect, it seems, especially by doctors...eventually many earned that respect, yet many were so ill-treated they left desperate situations and went home, which is a shame. There's a lot of history here, including many of the characters from the series based at Mansion House in Alexandria, VA: Mary Phinney von Olnhausen, Dorothea Dix, as well as Louisa May Alcott, Clara Barton, the Woolsey sisters, along with some wretched stewards and politicians. The facts, gleaned from letters, journals, diaries, books written by many nurse pioneers, is blunt, fact-filled, and often: appalling....and some heroic, poignant, lovely, moments, as well. I loved reading the real history behind these women!
March 7, 2016
I think how you come by this book is going to drastically effect how you feel about it. Personally, I heard about it because I watched the PBS series that inspired said book, and I think I was expecting it to be a very similar read to Call the Midwife (another series that airs on PBS). I found Heroines to be much more focused on historical facts and politics, which is fine, but I'd been expecting a more character driven piece, so in that regard I didn't enjoy it much. But it's a great source of information and well written.
December 15, 2017
I would rate this book 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4 stars in its favor. Since there have been already several excellent reviews far better than I could do agiving more details of the book, I will limit my review.
This book describes the establishing of nursing during the Civil War relying heavily on memoirs of women who actually served in 'nursing' capacities and other published sources. I had no idea before reading this book that nursing as a profession did not exist before the Civil War. The women who did serve had to face many obstacles, of which the first and foremost was attitudes toward women who desired to do this. Most of society felt it was unwomanly/ unladylike to be involved in providing this care for soldiers and the medical establishment itself was very opposed. Then the women had to endure severely harsh conditions in which to do their work.
The author also goes into great detail on how woefully unprepared both the military forces of the North and South were to cope with the sick and wounded soldiers. Interspersed were details about different military campaigns and battles, some of which I had was unfamiliar with---or at least the name given to the battle, such as the Seven Days Battle.
The book focused on several women who came from different walks of life to become involved---Clara Barton, Dorothea Dix, Louisa May Alcott, Mary Phinney von Olnhausen, Anne Reading. Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Amy Bradley. Hannah C. Ropes, Eliza Woolsey Howland (a socialite), and Georgeanna Woolsey Bacon (another socialite) plus several others mentioned in less detail.
I have never seen the PBS series this book is a companion to so can make no comparison. However, I was initially intrigued by the beautiful cover of this book and the fact that I am a nurse. It was mind-boggling to see how much medical care has changed--beginning with basic hygiene in care. It was tragic to see how disease accounted for more deaths than wounds. This book was a treasure trove of new information for me. It was definitely not fast reading---because it had so much information which I wanted to learn. However, it was definitely worth the time it took.
For anyone interested in learning more about the Civil War or about the start of nursing as a profession, I would highly recommend this book.
This book describes the establishing of nursing during the Civil War relying heavily on memoirs of women who actually served in 'nursing' capacities and other published sources. I had no idea before reading this book that nursing as a profession did not exist before the Civil War. The women who did serve had to face many obstacles, of which the first and foremost was attitudes toward women who desired to do this. Most of society felt it was unwomanly/ unladylike to be involved in providing this care for soldiers and the medical establishment itself was very opposed. Then the women had to endure severely harsh conditions in which to do their work.
The author also goes into great detail on how woefully unprepared both the military forces of the North and South were to cope with the sick and wounded soldiers. Interspersed were details about different military campaigns and battles, some of which I had was unfamiliar with---or at least the name given to the battle, such as the Seven Days Battle.
The book focused on several women who came from different walks of life to become involved---Clara Barton, Dorothea Dix, Louisa May Alcott, Mary Phinney von Olnhausen, Anne Reading. Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Amy Bradley. Hannah C. Ropes, Eliza Woolsey Howland (a socialite), and Georgeanna Woolsey Bacon (another socialite) plus several others mentioned in less detail.
I have never seen the PBS series this book is a companion to so can make no comparison. However, I was initially intrigued by the beautiful cover of this book and the fact that I am a nurse. It was mind-boggling to see how much medical care has changed--beginning with basic hygiene in care. It was tragic to see how disease accounted for more deaths than wounds. This book was a treasure trove of new information for me. It was definitely not fast reading---because it had so much information which I wanted to learn. However, it was definitely worth the time it took.
For anyone interested in learning more about the Civil War or about the start of nursing as a profession, I would highly recommend this book.
November 7, 2020
I first heard of this book when the author was interviewed on the "Civil War Talk Radio" podcast. That's an outstanding podcast for those interested in Civil War-related books.
Essentially, it is the story of a group of women who helped nurse soldiers back to health or helped them pass into death, depending on the situation.
Granted, you'll read a bit about the more famous Civil War nurses like Clara Barton and Louisa May Alcott, but it is the stories of the less well known ones that will stay with you longest. I was particularly struck by Hannah Ropes's story. Abandoned by a useless husband when her children were small, Ropes bloomed into a woman of real self reliance. She learned to network and became politically estute. She was also interested in the westward migration, and for a time, she lived in Kansas. When the Civil War began, she took a job at a Washington, D.C. hospital, where she rapidly worked her way through the ranks. If you read this, you'll be impressed by her activism on behalf of soldiers who were indifferently and even cruelly treated by military leaders. She died after only six months in service to the nation, but her six months were impressive.
Amy Morris Bradley's story inspired me as well. She worked on hospital ships operated by the Union army in Virginia. She fought hard to change conditions for the sick soldiers, working to clean and improve conditions.
There are a host of other characters here, many of whom get more pages and attention than does Ropes or Bradley, and probably for good reason. If you read this, you'll likely be at once appalled and inspired by the circumstances these women faced.
Essentially, it is the story of a group of women who helped nurse soldiers back to health or helped them pass into death, depending on the situation.
Granted, you'll read a bit about the more famous Civil War nurses like Clara Barton and Louisa May Alcott, but it is the stories of the less well known ones that will stay with you longest. I was particularly struck by Hannah Ropes's story. Abandoned by a useless husband when her children were small, Ropes bloomed into a woman of real self reliance. She learned to network and became politically estute. She was also interested in the westward migration, and for a time, she lived in Kansas. When the Civil War began, she took a job at a Washington, D.C. hospital, where she rapidly worked her way through the ranks. If you read this, you'll be impressed by her activism on behalf of soldiers who were indifferently and even cruelly treated by military leaders. She died after only six months in service to the nation, but her six months were impressive.
Amy Morris Bradley's story inspired me as well. She worked on hospital ships operated by the Union army in Virginia. She fought hard to change conditions for the sick soldiers, working to clean and improve conditions.
There are a host of other characters here, many of whom get more pages and attention than does Ropes or Bradley, and probably for good reason. If you read this, you'll likely be at once appalled and inspired by the circumstances these women faced.
July 7, 2017
I began this book because the series by that name on PBS. This book is a much more complete study of women nurses during the Civil War than the television program. It includes the founding of the program for selecting and training of nurses through the end of the war. Dorothea Dix had been trying to humanize the treatment in prisons and hospitals when the war began so she organized supplies and women to aid wounded soldiers from the beginning over the objections of the army and the doctors. Not only did the women increase the cleanliness of the hospitals but they also learned newer and improved nursing practices that improved the life expectancy of the patients. By the end of the war the hospitals and doctors admitted the need for women nurses and schools began to be established.
Most of the information is about the northern nurses but there is a chapter on the southern effort as well. The use of women freed up men to join the battlefield. apparently the hospitals where the women were employed had half as many deaths so they were officially approved to serve but of course they ran into as much interference as the northern women.
After the war many of the women wrote of their experiences and this book is based on these accounts. The details are often gross and insulting to women but it is fascinating how far the vocation has come since then.
Most of the information is about the northern nurses but there is a chapter on the southern effort as well. The use of women freed up men to join the battlefield. apparently the hospitals where the women were employed had half as many deaths so they were officially approved to serve but of course they ran into as much interference as the northern women.
After the war many of the women wrote of their experiences and this book is based on these accounts. The details are often gross and insulting to women but it is fascinating how far the vocation has come since then.
June 29, 2021
I truly enjoyed this book. It provided a lot of information about hospitals, medical protocol, the difficulties involved with responding to the various challenges created by the war and especially on the roles, challenges and successes of the nurses highlighted in the book. I looked forward to information about all the various nurses as I worked through the book. The highlighted nurses and their dedication to their work and the soldiers and their numerous accomplishments were very inspiring. I would highly recommend this book to any student of the Civil War.
My only criticism is twofold. First- at times, the book was somewhat repetitive and information was repeated twice or more. This is probably due more to editing or to starts and stops in the writing process without noting what was said earlier in the process. Not a big deal and overall, was not a deterrent in reading the book. Secondly---the book mentions quite a number of nurses and characters and, related to my first criticism, jumps back and forth with stating names without context. Near the end it became a bit confusing keeping up with who was who. Again, not a big deal or anything that took too much away from the book. Just an observation.
My only criticism is twofold. First- at times, the book was somewhat repetitive and information was repeated twice or more. This is probably due more to editing or to starts and stops in the writing process without noting what was said earlier in the process. Not a big deal and overall, was not a deterrent in reading the book. Secondly---the book mentions quite a number of nurses and characters and, related to my first criticism, jumps back and forth with stating names without context. Near the end it became a bit confusing keeping up with who was who. Again, not a big deal or anything that took too much away from the book. Just an observation.
August 29, 2018
The most surprising thing about this book isn’t how nicely it demonstrates the accuracy of the television show (it does). It isn’t how readable it is (it is). It’s that it’s the first time someone has written a well-researched, readable, not-over-long popular history of nurses in the Civil War.
I’ve read other books about Civil War nurses. Most are either (1) biographical stories of a particular nurse, or (2) academic studies of Civil War nursing. Both approaches are valuable, but don’t provide a nicely succinct popular overview of Civil War nurses. Toler manages here to tell the stories of particular northern nurses as a way of telling the bigger story fo the role nursing played in that war.
Academics might find this book overly brief or not nuanced enough. But those are precisely what makes this book for valuable for general readers. It moves quickly, with great storytelling, to reveal an important historical story most Americans don’t know. Without getting bogged down in academ-ese language or unnecessarily complex theory.
I’ll be recommending this book highly to popular readers with an interest in women and in the Civil War.
I’ve read other books about Civil War nurses. Most are either (1) biographical stories of a particular nurse, or (2) academic studies of Civil War nursing. Both approaches are valuable, but don’t provide a nicely succinct popular overview of Civil War nurses. Toler manages here to tell the stories of particular northern nurses as a way of telling the bigger story fo the role nursing played in that war.
Academics might find this book overly brief or not nuanced enough. But those are precisely what makes this book for valuable for general readers. It moves quickly, with great storytelling, to reveal an important historical story most Americans don’t know. Without getting bogged down in academ-ese language or unnecessarily complex theory.
I’ll be recommending this book highly to popular readers with an interest in women and in the Civil War.
December 23, 2018
Genre: Historical Non-fiction
Summary: Summary from Amazon:
HEROINES OF MERCY STREET tells the true stories of the nurses at Mansion House, the Alexandria, Virginia, mansion turned war-time hospital and setting for the new PBS drama Mercy Street. Among the Union soldiers, doctors, wounded men from both sides, freed slaves, politicians, speculators, and spies who passed through the hospital in the crossroads of the Civil War, were nurses who gave their time freely and willingly to save lives and aid the wounded.
These women saw casualties on a scale Americans had never seen before, and medicine was at a turning point. HEROINES OF MERCY STREET follows the lives of women like Dorothea Dix, Mary Phinney, Anne Reading, and more before, during, and after their epic struggle in Alexandria and reveals their personal contributions to this astounding period in the advancement of medicine.
Why I Like It: I first saw the series1 & 2 on PBS. This book added so much more information about what it was really like during the war. The series is very good but it couldn’t include all of the details that this book covered.
audio – easy to listen to
Summary: Summary from Amazon:
HEROINES OF MERCY STREET tells the true stories of the nurses at Mansion House, the Alexandria, Virginia, mansion turned war-time hospital and setting for the new PBS drama Mercy Street. Among the Union soldiers, doctors, wounded men from both sides, freed slaves, politicians, speculators, and spies who passed through the hospital in the crossroads of the Civil War, were nurses who gave their time freely and willingly to save lives and aid the wounded.
These women saw casualties on a scale Americans had never seen before, and medicine was at a turning point. HEROINES OF MERCY STREET follows the lives of women like Dorothea Dix, Mary Phinney, Anne Reading, and more before, during, and after their epic struggle in Alexandria and reveals their personal contributions to this astounding period in the advancement of medicine.
Why I Like It: I first saw the series1 & 2 on PBS. This book added so much more information about what it was really like during the war. The series is very good but it couldn’t include all of the details that this book covered.
audio – easy to listen to
December 21, 2019
I rambled on many a side track to get better understanding of the women who cared for the injured civil was soldiers.
Nearly all of them were authors of books and pamphlets in their own right. I was left with a deep respect for the care delivered despite all the obstacles.
Not much has changed in the way that Uncle Sam views our men and women veterans today. They are used 24-7 and when of no longer use, cast aside with wounds so severe it's all they can do to face each day.
The women in this book gave entirely of themselves in ways that today's nurses cannot imagine. They succumbed to the same illnesses and diseases, suffered hunger, thirst, cold, heat, lice and sleeping on floors in hallways and doorways.
It was interesting to learn the differences between northern and southern nursing. The northern nurses tackled every bodily nursing task while the southern nurses were more akin to administrators who directed female slaves to carry out assigned tasks. The differences in cultures was quite dramatic.
People who would be interested in the book are likely those with a nursing background who seek to learn more about how the trauma of war was handled in the 1860's.
Nearly all of them were authors of books and pamphlets in their own right. I was left with a deep respect for the care delivered despite all the obstacles.
Not much has changed in the way that Uncle Sam views our men and women veterans today. They are used 24-7 and when of no longer use, cast aside with wounds so severe it's all they can do to face each day.
The women in this book gave entirely of themselves in ways that today's nurses cannot imagine. They succumbed to the same illnesses and diseases, suffered hunger, thirst, cold, heat, lice and sleeping on floors in hallways and doorways.
It was interesting to learn the differences between northern and southern nursing. The northern nurses tackled every bodily nursing task while the southern nurses were more akin to administrators who directed female slaves to carry out assigned tasks. The differences in cultures was quite dramatic.
People who would be interested in the book are likely those with a nursing background who seek to learn more about how the trauma of war was handled in the 1860's.
March 20, 2024
Original review can be found at: http://www.nerdprobs.com/books/book-r...
Back in 2016, there was a show on PBS called Mercy Street. I, of course, had to record it since it was A: Civil War related and B: medical related. I watched at night after my kids went to bed and I nursed my youngest child, probably staying up way past when I should have for having three kids but oh well. I got excited some time later when I saw that there was a book that was a companion for it, I got way to excited I am sure at the time and purchased the book back in (cough cough) Nov of 2016. Yes, I am aware it sat on my shelf for that long before I finally listened to it. I was excited to delve in.
This isn’t a story that really has a beginning middle and end. I mean it does you have the beginning of the war the middle and the end of the war. This book is about how nursing became a career in the US during the Civil War. Dorothea Dix speared headed the whole thing. First, she started campaigning for the better treatment of those in mental health wards and those that were special needs. She saw a need as the Civil War grew that there was a need for sanitary conditions to treat wounds and there was a need for nurses to nurse them back to health. She used Florence Nightingale as a model and based her nursing ideas on hers. She had very specific guidelines for nurses. Basically homely, unmarried, and over the age of 30 where you are considered a spinster, among other things.
This book was absolutely fascinating. I learned things about how nursing grew in the United States that I was unaware of. What it boiled down to is nursing grew out of homemakers who cared for sick family members. There was more too it but the gist of getting nursing started in the Civil War was just that, the experience that she was looking for. Did you know that in the Civil War hospitals that were run mainly by women had roughly, from what I am recalling, had about 5% higher survival rate than those that were run mainly by men. In the grand scheme of things that is a large number I think. Women were able to deal with large quantities of men after battles and deal with them well. They had to deal with piles of amputated limbs, and gangrenous wounds, among other things. They did it with grace and dignity. They held hands of dying men and wrote letters home to loved ones, be it a: I am fine letter or I am writing you my last letter filled with love. The book tells the story of several big players who were woman powerhouses in nursing. Reading this book has made me even prouder to be a woman in healthcare.
Back in 2016, there was a show on PBS called Mercy Street. I, of course, had to record it since it was A: Civil War related and B: medical related. I watched at night after my kids went to bed and I nursed my youngest child, probably staying up way past when I should have for having three kids but oh well. I got excited some time later when I saw that there was a book that was a companion for it, I got way to excited I am sure at the time and purchased the book back in (cough cough) Nov of 2016. Yes, I am aware it sat on my shelf for that long before I finally listened to it. I was excited to delve in.
This isn’t a story that really has a beginning middle and end. I mean it does you have the beginning of the war the middle and the end of the war. This book is about how nursing became a career in the US during the Civil War. Dorothea Dix speared headed the whole thing. First, she started campaigning for the better treatment of those in mental health wards and those that were special needs. She saw a need as the Civil War grew that there was a need for sanitary conditions to treat wounds and there was a need for nurses to nurse them back to health. She used Florence Nightingale as a model and based her nursing ideas on hers. She had very specific guidelines for nurses. Basically homely, unmarried, and over the age of 30 where you are considered a spinster, among other things.
This book was absolutely fascinating. I learned things about how nursing grew in the United States that I was unaware of. What it boiled down to is nursing grew out of homemakers who cared for sick family members. There was more too it but the gist of getting nursing started in the Civil War was just that, the experience that she was looking for. Did you know that in the Civil War hospitals that were run mainly by women had roughly, from what I am recalling, had about 5% higher survival rate than those that were run mainly by men. In the grand scheme of things that is a large number I think. Women were able to deal with large quantities of men after battles and deal with them well. They had to deal with piles of amputated limbs, and gangrenous wounds, among other things. They did it with grace and dignity. They held hands of dying men and wrote letters home to loved ones, be it a: I am fine letter or I am writing you my last letter filled with love. The book tells the story of several big players who were woman powerhouses in nursing. Reading this book has made me even prouder to be a woman in healthcare.
April 6, 2019
This was a quick easy read about the history of Civil War Nurses with a focus on the Mansion House Hospital. The anecdotes and stories of the various women were entertaining but there was little historical analysis happening here. The author touches on the different views on female nurses based on class and Northern Vs Southern sentiments and standards of appropriate activities for women but doesn't delve deeply into the role class and economics played on nursing as a profession or its appearance in society. I also wish she had spent more time discussing how these nurses shaped the profession going forward. While this isn't a book I would recommend for anyone researching the historical role and acceptance of female nurses, it is a good read for anyone with just a personal interest in the topic.
November 22, 2017
I am glad that I watched the first season of Mercy Street before reading this book. It gave me a frame of reference to relate to the real nurses and what they had to face in being accepted (or not) as indispensable to the recovery and care of wounded soldiers during the American Civil War. We often hear about how the need for women to step into a man's role during both World Wars made room for women's rights to be taken more seriously. But this book gives insight into the early steps towards not only the liberation of negro slaves but also the women of America that were made during the civil war in the United States.
I enjoyed this book, even though at times the details of the war got a little dry and occasionally repetitive. It gave me a whole new appreciation for how far we have come in the whole world of medicine and nursing in particular!
I enjoyed this book, even though at times the details of the war got a little dry and occasionally repetitive. It gave me a whole new appreciation for how far we have come in the whole world of medicine and nursing in particular!
December 1, 2019
Browsing the Library I saw this book and was immediately attracted to it as it had the PBS mark on the cover. Mercy Street was a series a few years back and I really enjoyed it.
The book covers the real women who served as nurses and matrons during the civil war at Mansion house in Alexandria, Virginia. It delves into the hardships these women faced and the battles they fought with the Doctors and the Government. Dorothea Dix, Mary Phinny and countless other women paved the way for nursing to become respected profession.
I love learning something new, and what I learned here was that these women developed the "special diet" for patients unable to digest an ordinary meal.
This is a very readable book, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning the roots of nursing in America.
The book covers the real women who served as nurses and matrons during the civil war at Mansion house in Alexandria, Virginia. It delves into the hardships these women faced and the battles they fought with the Doctors and the Government. Dorothea Dix, Mary Phinny and countless other women paved the way for nursing to become respected profession.
I love learning something new, and what I learned here was that these women developed the "special diet" for patients unable to digest an ordinary meal.
This is a very readable book, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in learning the roots of nursing in America.
March 24, 2017
This book was written as a companion to the Masterpiece TV series. Rather than a fictional account, the book written by an academic, focuses on the actual nurses of the Civil War era—Dorothea Dix, Clara Barton, Louisa May Alcott and others. While a bit textbookish, interesting facts are revealed, particularly the primitive nature of American medicine at a time when in Europe, especially Paris, medical advances were being made. Much of what the series includes, such as the wicked quartermaster who hoards food to sell on the black market while denying the patients, is quite true, with one well-connected nurse going as far as Lincoln to protest which resulted in the arrest of the profiteer. Any fan of the TV program would be interested in this account of the “real” heroines.
February 17, 2019
While I did enjoy learning more about the history of nursing during the civil war and the obstacles female nurses faced from the military, the doctors, and even the hospital staff, I wish that the author had not made this a work of fiction. While I can understand wanting to embellish events in order to make the book more exciting, between the way that the book is written (as if it was non-fiction) and the vast amount of actual factual information in the book - it made it very difficult to determine what was actually true and what was made up.
I received this book as part of the GoodReads Giveaway contest.
I received this book as part of the GoodReads Giveaway contest.
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