MoonglotexasThe Barbour Publishing Staff, as part of their Women of Courage series, compiled this book on Florence Nightingale in recognition of the way in which she changed the world for the better. It is also a reflection on Florence’s commitment to her faith, Christianity.
It is jam-packed with information of both a qualitative and quantitative nature. It has several excerpts from Florence’s diaries and her correspondence. What she achieved in her nursing work is contrasted against an unhappy life. She doesn’t fit well with her family, she experiences several bouts of depression and is brutal with her friends. Whilst I found her care of the sick, injured or invalid remarkable, I ended the book with a far more human and less saintly view of Miss Nightingale.
I found the writing style jarring though, it flipped from first narrative to documentary-style frequently. For example, the passage below is from the opening chapters
“Other astonishing things happened that winter. Sir Nicholas Tindall came to their estate in a hot air balloon, the first Flo had ever seen. Then Mama took the girls south to enjoy the warm breezes off the English Channel.”
From “Florence Nightingale” by Barbour Staff
And this one from near the end of the book, quite different from the one above.
“Flo’s letter crossed a letter in the mail from Sidney Herbert. On October 15, she read his appeal to her to take a group of nurses to the Crimea: “There is but one person in England that I know of who would be capable of organizing and superintending such a scheme. . . . Would you listen to the request to go and superintend the whole thing? . . . Deriving your authority from the Government, your position would secure the respect and consideration of everyone. . . together with a complete submission to your orders. I know these things are a matter of indifference to you, except so far as they may further the great objects you have in view.”
From “Florence Nightingale” by Barbour Staff
In light of COVID-19, Florence’s work in the Crimea war is far too relevant to today. With little more the good hygiene and kindness, she decreased the death rate in her hospital from 50% to 10%. The volume of patients she cared for is astonishing! Her systemisation and leadership would be amazing in today’s world, in her time it was revolutionary and mind-blowing. There is no doubt she was a woman of great faith and great courage and I am grateful I spent time learning her story.
It’s a three out of five on the enJOYment scale solely because of the disjointed writing style. If you are looking for a book to learn more about Florence, this is one to read!
From the back cover:
In Florence Nightingale, you’ll meet “The Lady with the Lamp” who found her calling in the foul, disease-ridden medical camps of the nineteenth century British military. What set Florence Nightingale apart? Her willingness to live courageously for Christ—comforting wounded soldiers, fighting for their rights, and turning the medical world upside down by serving people who needed it most.
Get inspired by her story, celebrate her legacy, and learn that God can use each of us for mighty things. . .if we have courage.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
