What do you think?
Rate this book
Florence Nightingale: The Courageous Life of the Legendary Nurse
Most people know Florence Nightingale was a compassionate and legendary nurse, but they don’t know her full story. This riveting biography explores the exceptional life of a woman who defied the stifling conventions of Victorian society to pursue what was considered an undesirable vocation. She is best known for her work during the Crimean War, when she vastly improved gruesome and deadly conditions and made nightly rounds to visit patients, becoming known around the world as the Lady with the Lamp. Her tireless and inspiring work continued after the war, and her modern methods in nursing became the defining standards still used today. Includes notes, bibliography, and index.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2016
94 people are currently reading
1172 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Reef
61 books44 followersCatherine Reef is the author of more than 35 nonfiction books for young people. Her books for Clarion include the highly acclaimed JOHN STEINBECK and SIGMUND FREUD, which was the recipient of the 2002 Sydney Taylor Award, presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries. She lives in College Park, Maryland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
February 27, 2018
I love the way Reef wrote this biography. She doesn’t just present facts, but also delves into Nightingale’s thoughts and feelings through quoting from her letters as well as those of her family and friends. She met and became friends with lots of famous people of the time—authors Elizabeth Gaskell and Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot), poet Arthur Clough, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, African American nurse Mary Seacole, and even Queen Victoria herself. She had incredible energy, ambition, and determination, which led to her establishing nursing schools, working for nursing reforms in Britain and India and in the British military, working for reforms in sanitation in workhouses and for the poor, as well as revamping the British army hospitals in the Crimea during the Crimean war. An amazing woman! What fascinated me the most was her relationship with her older sister Parthenope (who was herself a writer). I must read more about Nightingale, but for those with little or no knowledge of her, this richly illustrated biography is an excellent place to start.
February 19, 2017
A fantastic biography accessible for any reader that showcases the world that Florence Nighingale had to live in in order to be the most famous and legendary nurse that she is known as today. This biography focuses on the feelings of the family and society during her maturation and how adamant they were that she NOT follow her interests and passion though everyone commented on her smarts and abilities. But she endured and as she mentioned in several letters, no one wanted to see her leave the home because that's where a woman should be and shamed her for it, but they also didn't want her to be on the battlefield but praised her for that-- basically she couldn't win. Society needed to make up their damn minds, but how she pushed through and followed her passion and interest remind me somewhat of Temple Grandin.
I enjoyed the perspective of the story and how it showcased how Nightingale's mind worked. I was particularly fascinated by the awards bestowed upon her from a statistical society as she worked later in life from her bedroom and used pie charts and graphs to demonstrate her point in a quick and easy manner for all. I love that she wielded the "Nightingale power" where she basically was never really paid to do the work but affected change through the government and military. They relied on her work to make positive changes and save lives. I liked that she kicked butt and took names. She ran hospitals-- she was really more a manager than a nurse in this sense. Her work made others cry!
Complete engaging and fascinating, it showcases the little known understandings of Nightingale and her REAL work. And how crazy her sister was, literally going mad for the fact that her sister should/shouldn't be doing this work and overshadowing her. And that Nightingale firmly believed that nursing was a woman's work.
Favorite parts or quotes:
From a respected mentor: "Go forward, if you have a vocation for that way of life; act up to your aspiration, and you will find that there is never anything unbecoming or unladylike in doing your duty for the good of others."
On being frustrated "Why, oh my God, cannot I be satisfied with the life which satisfies so many people?"
On her management style: Some unhappy nurses complained about Miss Nightingale's curtness. One day, a senior nurse among the Anglican sisters, a Miss Jones, advised Nightingale to encourage the women and treat them kindly. Nightingale replied that she had no time for such trifles and hurried off to her next task. But Jones' words sank in, and Nightingale tried harder to be a considerate leader.
A friend of the family's quote "It is beautiful only to do the thing we are meant for."
I enjoyed the perspective of the story and how it showcased how Nightingale's mind worked. I was particularly fascinated by the awards bestowed upon her from a statistical society as she worked later in life from her bedroom and used pie charts and graphs to demonstrate her point in a quick and easy manner for all. I love that she wielded the "Nightingale power" where she basically was never really paid to do the work but affected change through the government and military. They relied on her work to make positive changes and save lives. I liked that she kicked butt and took names. She ran hospitals-- she was really more a manager than a nurse in this sense. Her work made others cry!
Complete engaging and fascinating, it showcases the little known understandings of Nightingale and her REAL work. And how crazy her sister was, literally going mad for the fact that her sister should/shouldn't be doing this work and overshadowing her. And that Nightingale firmly believed that nursing was a woman's work.
Favorite parts or quotes:
From a respected mentor: "Go forward, if you have a vocation for that way of life; act up to your aspiration, and you will find that there is never anything unbecoming or unladylike in doing your duty for the good of others."
On being frustrated "Why, oh my God, cannot I be satisfied with the life which satisfies so many people?"
On her management style: Some unhappy nurses complained about Miss Nightingale's curtness. One day, a senior nurse among the Anglican sisters, a Miss Jones, advised Nightingale to encourage the women and treat them kindly. Nightingale replied that she had no time for such trifles and hurried off to her next task. But Jones' words sank in, and Nightingale tried harder to be a considerate leader.
A friend of the family's quote "It is beautiful only to do the thing we are meant for."
January 18, 2018
First sentence: Things happening at night had the look of old paintings.
Premise/plot: Catherine Reef has written a biography of Florence Nightingale. I would recommend it to those interested in Florence Nightingale (obviously), the Victorian period in general, the Crimean War specifically, and last but not least those interested in women's roles and rights in the nineteenth century. Readers learn about Florence Nightingale's struggle to follow God's call on her life: to be a nurse.
At the time she was growing up, nurses were held in little respect. Nurses were held to have few morals--be drunkards and prostitutes. Nurses also did not have to be trained professionals. So to say her parents were shocked or disappointed or frustrated with their daughter would be on target. Florence didn't want what other young women wanted; her interests were her own. Though her parents didn't always accept her, there were other adults in her life who did; there were those who encouraged her and enabled her, in fact, to pursue a career in nursing. (She received training in a nursing school in Germany).
One relationship that stayed rocky for decades was her relationship with her sister. Those two did not get along, and her sister really did not understand why her sister had to be so weird. There were times these two seemed allergic to one another's company.
There was a LOT of name dropping in this one. Even before she became THE FAMOUS FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE of Crimean war fame, she met some famous or would-be-famous Victorians. And Victorians being Victorians, there are diaries and letters about such meetings and impressions.
My thoughts: I liked this one. I didn't love it. Perhaps I'm just more interested in Queen Victoria? Perhaps it was just bad timing on my part. I am glad I read it. I don't regret my time. It just didn't captivate or fascinate me.
If Catherine Reef would like to write more books about Victorians, I can think of a few suggestions: George Eliot, Elizabeth Gaskell, Margaret Oliphant, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Ada Lovelace, to name a few.
OR possibly Fanny Burney, Maria Edgeworth, or Mary Shelley if you opened up the field.
Premise/plot: Catherine Reef has written a biography of Florence Nightingale. I would recommend it to those interested in Florence Nightingale (obviously), the Victorian period in general, the Crimean War specifically, and last but not least those interested in women's roles and rights in the nineteenth century. Readers learn about Florence Nightingale's struggle to follow God's call on her life: to be a nurse.
At the time she was growing up, nurses were held in little respect. Nurses were held to have few morals--be drunkards and prostitutes. Nurses also did not have to be trained professionals. So to say her parents were shocked or disappointed or frustrated with their daughter would be on target. Florence didn't want what other young women wanted; her interests were her own. Though her parents didn't always accept her, there were other adults in her life who did; there were those who encouraged her and enabled her, in fact, to pursue a career in nursing. (She received training in a nursing school in Germany).
One relationship that stayed rocky for decades was her relationship with her sister. Those two did not get along, and her sister really did not understand why her sister had to be so weird. There were times these two seemed allergic to one another's company.
There was a LOT of name dropping in this one. Even before she became THE FAMOUS FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE of Crimean war fame, she met some famous or would-be-famous Victorians. And Victorians being Victorians, there are diaries and letters about such meetings and impressions.
My thoughts: I liked this one. I didn't love it. Perhaps I'm just more interested in Queen Victoria? Perhaps it was just bad timing on my part. I am glad I read it. I don't regret my time. It just didn't captivate or fascinate me.
If Catherine Reef would like to write more books about Victorians, I can think of a few suggestions: George Eliot, Elizabeth Gaskell, Margaret Oliphant, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Ada Lovelace, to name a few.
OR possibly Fanny Burney, Maria Edgeworth, or Mary Shelley if you opened up the field.
September 14, 2019
Florence Nightingale was named after the Italian city of her birth on May 12, 1820. Despite society's restrictions she forged her way to the front lines to follow her desire to help the sick and wounded taking advantage of a British experiment to provide female nurses on the war front during the Crimean War. Her talents to organize and clean up the mess she found provided hope to the soldiers as she ministered to their needs. Gaining worldwide renown, Florence Nightingale soon became known as "The Lady with the Lamp" named for her nocturnal wanderings taking care of the wounded throughout the wards. Catherine Reef goes into detail examining the life and times of this famous healer in her biography, Florence Nightingale: The Courageous Life of the Legendary Nurse.
Even as a child, Florence was fascinated by illness, keeping a journal with the various ailments of family members and their treatments. Contrary to the views of the times, Florence and her sister Parthenope were taught by their father who believed girls were just as capable as boys, providing them with a comparable education to what he would have given a son. The family completed their daughters education with a continental tour. Being born into an affluent family, Florence followed the example of her mother's charity work by visiting and nursing the poor. Although she had many suitors, Florence felt that she had been called by God to minister to the sick and infirmed. While traveling with friends in Germany, she had the opportunity to spend two weeks at Kaiserswerth, a Lutheran facility containing a hospital staffed by deaconesses. However, her family disapproved of her desire to be a nurse and only begrudgingly conceding to her wish to further her education, honing her nursing skills at Kaiserswerth, partly due to her melancholy (as well as her veiled threats of suicide). Although Florence admired and developed a friendship with Elizabeth Blackwell, she felt that nursing was a better path to caring for those in need than being a doctor. She furthered her career by becoming the administrator of a small hospital for impoverished gentlewomen (a position which remained unpaid due to her social standing). All these experiences helped her when she was assigned to be the supervisor at a wartime hospital in Istanbul. While the French soldiers had the Sisters of Charity to provide for their needs, the British wounded had Florence Nightingale. Against the odds she used her connections to help improve the living conditions of the wounded and increase their chances of survival. This was an almost impossible task due to all the red tape as well as the reluctance (actually disdain) of the head doctor to support her requests. Unfortunately, she caught what was known as Crimean Fever, a bacterial infection, which continued to plague her throughout her life.
After the war 45,000 pounds was collected for Florence to open a nursing school, but first she wanted to improve the health care system, especially for the military. Using her fame or "Nightingale Power", along with the help of numerous influential friends (including Queen Victoria), she convinced the military to make changes by using statistics to show that more soldiers died from the conditions in the hospitals than from actual combat. Even at home the death rate of soldiers was double that of civilians. Florence then opened a school to train nurses, accomplished while she suffered from the lingering effects of her Crimean illness. She relied on the help of family and friends to do the footwork while she dictated action from her sickbed. Florence even published three widely read books toting her theories of health care advocating "sleep, fresh air, and regular food: these are the three great medicines". At first Nightingale followed the theory of miasma - that disease was affected by the lack of cleanliness, fresh air, good food, and well lit comfortable accommodations. Eventually she adopted the teachings of Lister realizing that contagion played a part in the spread of illness, necessitating not just cleanliness, but disinfecting solutions.
Throughout this biography is an undercurrent of Florence Nightingale's true character. She was not only driven in her personal behaviors but also demanded complete loyalty from her friends and family, expecting them to totally devote themselves to the cause. Such dedication was detrimental not only to her own health but also to those closest to her, and she found herself outliving all those she truly loved. She also liked to be the one in charge resenting any direct competition. Stubbornness was in her nature.
However, Nightingale was a true advocate of women's rights, disdaining the nineteenth century mores which kept women homebound caring for children and doing household tasks, while being considered inferior to men as if they were lacking the ability to fulfill their true advocations. She lived until 1910, and thus saw others take up the mantle of women's rights.
While this book contained detailed and fascinating information about Florence Nightingale, the question remains on who the true audience is for this particular biography. Its focus and vocabulary are a little above a typical children's book. While the name dropping of the famous friends surrounding Florence were fascinating to me, most teens would not appreciate their relevance. I was impressed by the lengthy bibliography and the numerous photographs and illustrations scattered throughout the book, as well as the detailed index. Yet this well researched biography, containing a number of primary sources, falls between the cracks being too simplistic for adults, not compelling enough for the YA crowd, and too difficult for the average middle school student (unless they are assigned a research project on this topic). If this was written for school aged children it should have contained a timeline of events as a reference, and perhaps an annotated list of the people who were part of Nightingale's life.
Three and a half stars and a thank you to Netgalley and Clarion books who provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review also appears on my blog, Gotta Read
Even as a child, Florence was fascinated by illness, keeping a journal with the various ailments of family members and their treatments. Contrary to the views of the times, Florence and her sister Parthenope were taught by their father who believed girls were just as capable as boys, providing them with a comparable education to what he would have given a son. The family completed their daughters education with a continental tour. Being born into an affluent family, Florence followed the example of her mother's charity work by visiting and nursing the poor. Although she had many suitors, Florence felt that she had been called by God to minister to the sick and infirmed. While traveling with friends in Germany, she had the opportunity to spend two weeks at Kaiserswerth, a Lutheran facility containing a hospital staffed by deaconesses. However, her family disapproved of her desire to be a nurse and only begrudgingly conceding to her wish to further her education, honing her nursing skills at Kaiserswerth, partly due to her melancholy (as well as her veiled threats of suicide). Although Florence admired and developed a friendship with Elizabeth Blackwell, she felt that nursing was a better path to caring for those in need than being a doctor. She furthered her career by becoming the administrator of a small hospital for impoverished gentlewomen (a position which remained unpaid due to her social standing). All these experiences helped her when she was assigned to be the supervisor at a wartime hospital in Istanbul. While the French soldiers had the Sisters of Charity to provide for their needs, the British wounded had Florence Nightingale. Against the odds she used her connections to help improve the living conditions of the wounded and increase their chances of survival. This was an almost impossible task due to all the red tape as well as the reluctance (actually disdain) of the head doctor to support her requests. Unfortunately, she caught what was known as Crimean Fever, a bacterial infection, which continued to plague her throughout her life.
After the war 45,000 pounds was collected for Florence to open a nursing school, but first she wanted to improve the health care system, especially for the military. Using her fame or "Nightingale Power", along with the help of numerous influential friends (including Queen Victoria), she convinced the military to make changes by using statistics to show that more soldiers died from the conditions in the hospitals than from actual combat. Even at home the death rate of soldiers was double that of civilians. Florence then opened a school to train nurses, accomplished while she suffered from the lingering effects of her Crimean illness. She relied on the help of family and friends to do the footwork while she dictated action from her sickbed. Florence even published three widely read books toting her theories of health care advocating "sleep, fresh air, and regular food: these are the three great medicines". At first Nightingale followed the theory of miasma - that disease was affected by the lack of cleanliness, fresh air, good food, and well lit comfortable accommodations. Eventually she adopted the teachings of Lister realizing that contagion played a part in the spread of illness, necessitating not just cleanliness, but disinfecting solutions.
Throughout this biography is an undercurrent of Florence Nightingale's true character. She was not only driven in her personal behaviors but also demanded complete loyalty from her friends and family, expecting them to totally devote themselves to the cause. Such dedication was detrimental not only to her own health but also to those closest to her, and she found herself outliving all those she truly loved. She also liked to be the one in charge resenting any direct competition. Stubbornness was in her nature.
However, Nightingale was a true advocate of women's rights, disdaining the nineteenth century mores which kept women homebound caring for children and doing household tasks, while being considered inferior to men as if they were lacking the ability to fulfill their true advocations. She lived until 1910, and thus saw others take up the mantle of women's rights.
While this book contained detailed and fascinating information about Florence Nightingale, the question remains on who the true audience is for this particular biography. Its focus and vocabulary are a little above a typical children's book. While the name dropping of the famous friends surrounding Florence were fascinating to me, most teens would not appreciate their relevance. I was impressed by the lengthy bibliography and the numerous photographs and illustrations scattered throughout the book, as well as the detailed index. Yet this well researched biography, containing a number of primary sources, falls between the cracks being too simplistic for adults, not compelling enough for the YA crowd, and too difficult for the average middle school student (unless they are assigned a research project on this topic). If this was written for school aged children it should have contained a timeline of events as a reference, and perhaps an annotated list of the people who were part of Nightingale's life.
Three and a half stars and a thank you to Netgalley and Clarion books who provided this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review also appears on my blog, Gotta Read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2017
The first chapters about her upbringing were slow going and boring, but I was rewarded for my patience. Her efforts during wartime and her influence on the history of nursing were very interesting.
January 23, 2016
Informative and well balanced biography of the famous nurse giving an excellent background of the context and times within which she lived and worked.
Interesting insights into her personality and driven nature and the effect it had on her friends and detractors.
Beautifully illustrated with primary source material.
Interesting insights into her personality and driven nature and the effect it had on her friends and detractors.
Beautifully illustrated with primary source material.
July 17, 2016
Reviewed for professional publication.
April 9, 2017
A more detailed biography than many for young adults, and includes many contemporary illustrations. I was impressed.
October 24, 2017
One of the things that I've always admired about biography writers is the skill they demonstrate in choosing what to share with their readers. Naturally some writers are better at this than others, and it does relate to the purpose and sense of fairness of the author him/herself. I prefer biographies that show the person in all their humanness, the good and the bad, the remarkable and the ordinary. For me it is almost more impressive when the subject manages to do remarkable things despite their own weaknesses and struggles.
Florence Nightingale is one of those people who's become rather a legend over the years. Stories of her walking the halls of a hospital with a lamp during the Crimean War are easy to come by. But how accurate are they? Catherine Reef does a great job of sharing Nightingale's real life experiences and how she ended up in those hospital halls as well as the reasons she became such a legend in the first place. I appreciated Reef's efforts to show Florence's background and reasons for getting involved in nursing in the first place. Her beliefs and family life are presented as fairly as I think it could be done. I found it fascinating to read about the deep family opposition Florence experienced in her efforts to be more than just a noble lady. Her desires to serve God and make a difference in the world lead to serious conflict with her parents and sister for a variety of reasons.
What made this especially interesting to read was the accounts of the strides that Florence spent her life seeking and the lives that were changed as a result. Unfortunately for Florence, she didn't return from the Crimea in prime health and spent the rest of her life in and out of bed. But even when she was confined she didn't stop advocating for better nursing care, especially for military personnel. While Florence did plenty of toe-stepping and ally pushing, it was impossible not to cheer her efforts after reading about the horrible conditions that were often the norm at the time. Despite her weaknesses, Nightingale was in a number of ways a woman ahead of her time, and the world can be grateful that she was.
Florence Nightingale is one of those people who's become rather a legend over the years. Stories of her walking the halls of a hospital with a lamp during the Crimean War are easy to come by. But how accurate are they? Catherine Reef does a great job of sharing Nightingale's real life experiences and how she ended up in those hospital halls as well as the reasons she became such a legend in the first place. I appreciated Reef's efforts to show Florence's background and reasons for getting involved in nursing in the first place. Her beliefs and family life are presented as fairly as I think it could be done. I found it fascinating to read about the deep family opposition Florence experienced in her efforts to be more than just a noble lady. Her desires to serve God and make a difference in the world lead to serious conflict with her parents and sister for a variety of reasons.
What made this especially interesting to read was the accounts of the strides that Florence spent her life seeking and the lives that were changed as a result. Unfortunately for Florence, she didn't return from the Crimea in prime health and spent the rest of her life in and out of bed. But even when she was confined she didn't stop advocating for better nursing care, especially for military personnel. While Florence did plenty of toe-stepping and ally pushing, it was impossible not to cheer her efforts after reading about the horrible conditions that were often the norm at the time. Despite her weaknesses, Nightingale was in a number of ways a woman ahead of her time, and the world can be grateful that she was.
June 4, 2017
I read this book and "Radioactive: How Irene Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World" in close succession, and it is striking how determined these women had to be to accomplish their goals. Not only did they have to figure out what career to pursue, they then had to fight again and again to be able to live their dreams.
Nightingale grew up in a moderately wealthy family, so she was expected to marry well and have children. (And in Nightingale's case, she needed to marry well and have a son who could inherit, otherwise her immediate family lost their home.) But from the age of 16, Florence wanted to serve: "It seemed to [Florence] that God spoke her name and called her to His service." To live up to this calling from God, Florence had to turn down marriage proposals, disappoint her parents and sister, and stand up against a society that had no place for a woman nurse in a hospital.
It's remarkable how long she held onto her dream, given that for years her parents refused to support her dream of nursing school and she despaired of ever getting training. Luckily for Florence, attitudes about women nursing were just beginning to change and her parents finally granted their depressed daughter the opportunity to go to school. But if Florence had been born 10, 20, 30 years earlier, it's quite possible she never would have been allowed to go to school and the world wouldn't know about Florence's passion and skill.
Florence said, "Why had women passion, intellect, moral activity--these three--and a place in society where no one of the three can be exercised?" This book made me incredibly thankful to live in a society where I am allowed to use my passions, intellect, and moral drive.
Nightingale grew up in a moderately wealthy family, so she was expected to marry well and have children. (And in Nightingale's case, she needed to marry well and have a son who could inherit, otherwise her immediate family lost their home.) But from the age of 16, Florence wanted to serve: "It seemed to [Florence] that God spoke her name and called her to His service." To live up to this calling from God, Florence had to turn down marriage proposals, disappoint her parents and sister, and stand up against a society that had no place for a woman nurse in a hospital.
It's remarkable how long she held onto her dream, given that for years her parents refused to support her dream of nursing school and she despaired of ever getting training. Luckily for Florence, attitudes about women nursing were just beginning to change and her parents finally granted their depressed daughter the opportunity to go to school. But if Florence had been born 10, 20, 30 years earlier, it's quite possible she never would have been allowed to go to school and the world wouldn't know about Florence's passion and skill.
Florence said, "Why had women passion, intellect, moral activity--these three--and a place in society where no one of the three can be exercised?" This book made me incredibly thankful to live in a society where I am allowed to use my passions, intellect, and moral drive.
May 25, 2017
A lovely biography of an inspiring nurse, who defied all odds to become the revered legend she is today! Florence was born to two parents named William and Fanny Nightingale. William was somewhat of a recluse who preferred to be in his library instead of out socializing with his guests. Fanny, on the other hand, was known to be a great beauty who reveled in company and preferred socializing over an evening of quiet solitude. Florence was to be their second and last child. Their older daughter was named Parthenope, and she was very different in temperament and looks from her younger and more beloved sister, Florence. As a traditional family of wealth, the Nightingales frowned upon either of their daughters pursuing a profession, especially one as degrading as that of a nurse, so it was with much surprise and a score of heated arguments between Florence and the rest of her family before she was finally given permission to follow her dream of being a nurse. To choose a profession as a lady was highly frowned upon in the Victorian period. Florence's achievements and successes throughout her life are even more valuable today because of the endless judgments and rejections she undoubtedly received in response to her decision to pursue a career, as a female, in such a constricted time period. Florence showed great determination, diligence, focus, and compassion in all she accomplished, and this biography beautifully blended both her inner and outer struggles throughout life and her eventual rise to glory and unprecedented fame in a male-dominated society. A delightful read with some shocking revelations, stunning photographs, and great historical detail to whet everyone's appetite! A Definite Must-Read for All!
September 15, 2017
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.
May 12, 2017
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Florence Nightingale: The Courageous Life of the Legendary Nurse is a fascinating look at the life of pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale. I was familiar with Nightingale, but I was surprised at what I didn’t know about this Victorian lady. The biography begins at the start of Nightingale’s life and follows the ups and downs of her journey to becoming one of the most celebrated nurses of all time.
I liked the attention that is given to Nightingale’s early life. So many biographies skim this period of a person’s life, and I think that younger audiences are especially interested in the childhoods of those they are reading about. There are a lot of stories about Nightingale and Reef does an excellent job sorting fact from fiction throughout the book. Florence had a long life and accomplished quite a bit over the course of it. Florence Nightingale: The Courageous Life of the Legendary Nurse translates this life into an accessible biography for young readers. It’s structure is perfect for school biography reports and it’s content makes it an engaging and interesting read.
Florence Nightingale: The Courageous Life of the Legendary Nurse is a fascinating look at the life of pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale. I was familiar with Nightingale, but I was surprised at what I didn’t know about this Victorian lady. The biography begins at the start of Nightingale’s life and follows the ups and downs of her journey to becoming one of the most celebrated nurses of all time.
I liked the attention that is given to Nightingale’s early life. So many biographies skim this period of a person’s life, and I think that younger audiences are especially interested in the childhoods of those they are reading about. There are a lot of stories about Nightingale and Reef does an excellent job sorting fact from fiction throughout the book. Florence had a long life and accomplished quite a bit over the course of it. Florence Nightingale: The Courageous Life of the Legendary Nurse translates this life into an accessible biography for young readers. It’s structure is perfect for school biography reports and it’s content makes it an engaging and interesting read.
January 4, 2020
This is a fantastic read for the young people on whom it is focused, or really for anyone at all interested in learning about how one determined person can be a driving force for positive change. This woman was one of my childhood heroes, and I would hope that she would inspire future generations as well. Although, it is very matter of fact, this writer does not shy away from the things of Nightingale's time and place (Victorian England) that influenced her---faith and class and family. I especially enjoyed the respect with which her faith was treated as one of the major influences on her chosen path. She, and all the nurses out their who have followed in her footsteps, deserve our honor and respect. Also, a great read to remind us of how much better we have things in the world now. It is good to remember that many, many people lived in squalor in the not so distant past. It took the Florence Nightingale's of the world to start to change that, and they are continuing to make that change for people even today. Very, very worthy read.
January 29, 2018
A biography of the woman who defied the conventions of the Victorian era and revolutionized nursing and hospital sanitation standards.
This is presented in a visually rich format with glossy pages and lots of paintings/sketches of Nightingale and the other related subjects that date from her time period. The font is also larger than normal and double spaced, making it easier on the eyes reading-wise too. The information is obviously well-researched and incorporates many primary sources. Nightingale and her sister dealt with depression a lot of their lives, but they still accomplished much. A great resource on medical history as well as looking at a woman who overcame chronic illness and depression to accomplish things that have had a lasting impact till today.
Notes on content: No language issues or sexual content. Some battle wounds and horrible sanitary descriptions described but for the time period it could've been so much grosser but wasn't.
This is presented in a visually rich format with glossy pages and lots of paintings/sketches of Nightingale and the other related subjects that date from her time period. The font is also larger than normal and double spaced, making it easier on the eyes reading-wise too. The information is obviously well-researched and incorporates many primary sources. Nightingale and her sister dealt with depression a lot of their lives, but they still accomplished much. A great resource on medical history as well as looking at a woman who overcame chronic illness and depression to accomplish things that have had a lasting impact till today.
Notes on content: No language issues or sexual content. Some battle wounds and horrible sanitary descriptions described but for the time period it could've been so much grosser but wasn't.
January 10, 2024
This is such a beautifully written book. Somehow I was hooked and found it suspenseful and intriguing, inspiring and eye opening. It eloquently shows how influential she was and how hard she worked to bring nursing to life. Not only did she create modern nursing, but she did it at a time when her creative and inquisitive mind was looked down upon, with her upperclass family/friend circle trying to stiffle her dreams and keep her at home to be a suitable wife and mother to an heir. Thankfully she soldiered on with support from a few incredible people, and against all odds became a hero and celebrity world renouned, who's influence may not be fully understood nor appreciated a century later. This nurse (me!) is thankful for her extensive hard work and influence for women and nurses world wide, this book was so uplifting to know her struggles and the appalling things she witnessed and influenced to change for the better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2020
I really liked this biography. It was easy to read and full of great pictures. I learned so much about the life of Florence Nightingale. This is my second book of Catherine Reef's that I have read and now, I want to read them all. My favorite part of the book. When Florence felt she had a "Call from God", she could not refute it, nor deny it. As documented, Florence still had this conviction years later, as she felt her life needed to go one way, to fulfill what she thought God wanted her to do, while her parents felt she needed to go another way. I also love how it is presented that eventually her parents came to understand and even support what she felt her job needed to be. A woman, who listened to God and did many, many hard things for the good of all. What an incredible woman.
August 10, 2017
Florence Nightingale: The Courageous Life of the Legendary Nurse is a powerhouse biography of the world-renown creator of the modern nursing vocation. By firmly grounding Nightingale in the Victorian era, Reef succeeds in not just humanizing her subject; the author also underscores the extraordinary nature of her achievements because of her willingness to transcend her time’s social mores. Well-researched with a hefty bibliography, Reef also includes Nightingale’s own words about her need to serve, her family’s expectations, and later on, her drive to ensure a high standard for nursing and hospitals worldwide. A definite must-add for all young adult biography collections.
January 18, 2018
When I was reading The Wonder, by Emma Donoghue, a few months ago, I found myself wanting to know more about Florence Nightingale and why she was so influential. I knew, of course, that she was a trail-blazer in modern nursing, but that was about it. Then I came across this YA book, and found it to be quite useful in relating the main points of Nightingale’s life, without the need to read a full-scale biography.
However, once the Crimean War was over I found that I had lost interest and returned it to the library unfinished. Got to page 135 (end of chapter 9) of 161. I’m just really craving a good story right now.
However, once the Crimean War was over I found that I had lost interest and returned it to the library unfinished. Got to page 135 (end of chapter 9) of 161. I’m just really craving a good story right now.
April 12, 2019
Florence Nightingale was such a great example of a strong-willed woman who fought hard for the right to serve others through nursing in a time and place when nursing was frowned upon for a woman born to privilege. If you are looking for a wonderful, uplifting biography about someone who felt called of God to pursue something that is difficult at best as others around are fighting you every step of the way, this will inspire you. I loved the beautiful pictures and historic facts about other famous figures who influenced a strong-willed woman during Victorian Era England! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great biography filled with beautiful pictures.
June 11, 2020
I was inspired to read more about Florence Nightingale when her efforts to raise money to help aid Dr. Livingston were mentioned in a book I was reading about his adventures to find the source of the Nile... so I come to her story a stranger. And I was rewarded in this book with a good history, well researched and thought provoking. Although if this is all I've got to go on it does not paint Florence in the best of light in her "final" years, but maybe I'll let this be a starting point and not the finish.
February 26, 2021
"Stifling Convictions of Victorian Society." When you read a book like this, one is again reminded of how lucky we are to be living in the 20th and 21st century. Things aren't perfect but I'm oh so glad I didn't have to fight my way thru the 1800's. But the thing I learned about Florence, that made me even more proud of her, was her very early use of statistics, and using them in a meaningful way to combat unsafe medical and nursing practices, thus saving many patients' lives. Way to go Flo!
February 9, 2017
A clear portrait of this remarkable woman, whose vision and precise sense of order revolutionized nursing in England. Against her family's wishes, she trains at Kaiserwerth on the Rhine, a rare European institution for nurses. Ultimately, she volunteers to serve in the Crimean War., where she transforms the institution of nursing into a respectable profession for women as well as a highly competent body. An unusual and gifted woman.
May 4, 2017
I knew nothing about Florence Nightingale until I read this book. This was a very profound story about the life of this brave nurse. This would book would also be a great science content read especially if talking about medicine and would be great social studies content with the information about the war.
One of my favorite things about the book was her stamina as a female during this time period. She fought for her rights as a woman in a male dominated society.
One of my favorite things about the book was her stamina as a female during this time period. She fought for her rights as a woman in a male dominated society.
November 29, 2018
Middle school book describing Florence Nightingale's entire life. Her greatest notoriety was her nursing during the Crimean war. She had to overcome much discrimination to become a nurse. It was not considered an honorable profession. She changed the worlds view on the nursing profession. She caught a serious disease during the Crimean War that plagued her all through her life. She died peacefully in her sleep at 90 years old.
July 6, 2024
A really good book that throughly goes into great detail not just about Florence Nightingale the nurse, but Florence the daughter sister and friend. I learned more about her than I knew before, and find a deep appreciation for what she did to ease the suffering of her fellow humans.
It begs the question: how would Florence view the modern healthcare system we have today? What changes if any, would she personally recommend?
It begs the question: how would Florence view the modern healthcare system we have today? What changes if any, would she personally recommend?
July 9, 2024
Good book, I learnt a lot about a woman I had heard of but did not know much about with any accuracy. I found it lacking in places and would have liked more detail. However, in that sense, this is a good starting place for further research for those interested in delving further into not only Florence Nightingale's life, but of other people she was fortunate to have engaged with and who's lives have also made a profound impact on our modern time.
June 17, 2017
Perfect length book to learn about someone I have always wanted to know more about. The author has written other biographies that I look forward to reading. She keeps it in a story telling format that keeps the story interesting. I didn't realize her short 2 years opened so many influential doors for further progress in hospital sanitation and care of patients.
January 24, 2018
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.
May 3, 2021
A to Z mini challenge (May): A book about a nurse (National Nurses Week in 2021 is May 6-12).
2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt: A book that has fewer than 1000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads.
I enjoyed reading this book about Florence Nightingale. I learned a lot about her and the advancements made in medicine over the centuries.
2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt: A book that has fewer than 1000 reviews on Amazon or Goodreads.
I enjoyed reading this book about Florence Nightingale. I learned a lot about her and the advancements made in medicine over the centuries.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews