Description
Mark Bostridge’s biography of this remarkable woman is a terrific read. Do not let the 647 pages put you off. Bostridge’s writing style reels the reader in and the pages fly by. He draws you into Florence Nightingale’s life, and the world in which she lived, placing her firmly in her historical context and the century in which she lived and worked. This is so much more than the story of one woman. It is social history told in a masterly fashion.
The book is split into five main sections:
- Daughter of England 1820 – 54
- Lady of the Lamp 1854 – 56
- Mother of the Army 1856 – 71
- Queen of Nurses 1871 – 1910
- Icon
Florence Nightingale is known by all school children as The Lady of the Lamp, and while Bostridge gives over a section to her time in the Crimea, this period of her life doesn’t swamp the book. Her early years cover the first 200 pages and give a very good example of the lives women of her class were expected to lead. Her time in the Crimea has its own section, before moving to the years that saw the publication of many important texts, not least Notes on Nursing. Her work on Army reform, hospital architecture, and sanitation is also delved into.
Many important characters of the nineteenth century appear and help tell the story of this remarkable woman. Numerous black and white illustrations appear throughout, and the entire family tree is exceptionally helpful when navigating the extended family and extended family relationships. As The Observer stated, it will not be superseded for generations to come.
Author – Mark Bostridge
Publisher – Penguin Books
Format – Paperback
Pub date – 2020 (First published 2008 Viking)
ISBN – 9780241989227
Illustrated
Pages – 647
Dimensions – 129mm x 197mm
Weight – 495g
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