Widely known today as the "Angel of the Battlefield," Clara Barton's personal life has always been shrouded in mystery. In Clara Barton, Professional Angel, Elizabeth Brown Pryor presents a biography of Barton that strips away the heroic exterior and reveals a complex and often trying woman.
Based on the papers Clara Barton carefully saved over her lifetime, this biography is the first one to draw on these recorded thoughts. Besides her own voluminous correspondence, it reflects the letters and reminiscences of lovers, a grandniece who probed her aunt's venerable facade, and doctors who treated her nervous disorders. She emerges as a vividly human figure. Continually struggling to cope with her insecure family background and a society that offered much less than she had to give, she chose achievement as the vehicle for gaining the love and recognition that frequently eluded her during her long life.
Not always altruistic, her accomplishments were nonetheless extraordinary. On the battlefields of the Civil War, in securing American participation in the International Red Cross, in promoting peacetime disaster relief, and in fighting for women's rights, Clara Barton made an unparalleled contribution to American social progress. Yet the true measure of her life must be made from this perspective: she dared to offend a society whose acceptance she treasured, and she put all of her energy into patching up the lives of those around her when her own was rent and frayed.
Clara Barton, Professional Angel
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Browse the best books of summer including blockbusters, beach reads, and editors' picks in our Summer Reading Store. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Barton established and headed the American Red Cross, was superintendent of a women's reformatory, played a key role in providing medical aid and relief to Civil War battlefronts, and helped establish the New Jersey public school system. Yet her character was far from saintly. Her desire for approval and recognition was boundless, and her overachieving zeal alienated contemporaries. For this outstanding biography, Pryor uses Barton's recently discovered diaries, plus letters and other primary sources, to portray a complex, troubled heroine without delving into historical psychoanalysis. A tribute to a remarkable woman. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries. Mary Hemmings, McGill Univ. Medical Lib., Montreal
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Pryor's exhaustive research serves her subject well."—Christian Science Monitor
"Barton established and headed the American Red Cross, was superintendent of a women's reformatory, played a key role in providing medical aid and relief to Civil War battlefronts, and helped establish the New Jersey public school system. Yet her character was far from saintly. Her desire for approval and recognition was boundless, and her overachieving zeal alienated contemporaries. For this outstanding biography, Pryor uses Barton's recently discovered diaries, plus letters and other primary sources, to portray a complex, troubled heroine without delving into historical psychoanalysis. A tribute to a remarkable woman. Highly recommended."—Library Journal
"Irresistible. . . . Clara Barton, compassionate angel, becomes Clara Barton, neurotic, adulterer, careerist, embittered octogenarian—an authoritarian boss unable to brook criticism or delegate authority, who demanded loyalty from all and prompted one aide to dub her 'the Queen.'"—Philadelphia Inquirer
Meticulously researched and well written. . . . Pryor has done an excellent job in bringing the real Clara Barton to life."—Civil War History
"Probing, thoughtful, fascinating, and beautifully written."—American Studies
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By P A Brown
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this biography of Barton as it covered more than just her years as a Civil War nurse & battlefield angel. Pryor gives life to Barton, exposing her touching little secrets (she liked to take a nip now and then, had a romance with a married man & dyed her hair) as well as her less-than-saintly personality (she was fiercly competive with other reformers like Dorthea Dix and really like being in the spotlight). Her two major accomplishment -- her battlefield nursing and the founding of the American Red Cross -- came about through stubborn sacrifice and a real dedication. She got done what she did because she was relentless in achieving her purposes. Her pushiness knew no bounds: she called on neighbors and politicians, asked for favors, used emotional blackmail and wasn't always sweet as pie about it all. Pryor's admiration for her subject is evident and she reveals Clara as a modern woman who used any and every resource available at a time when no one was inclined to support such activity. I came away from this book liking Clara Barton, even with her halo slightly tarnished.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Sarah Kerr
Format:Paperback
Elizabeth Brown Pryor eloquently told the story of Clara Barton digging deep into who exactly Clara Barton was and the many areas in which Clara was an agent for change in society.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Cheryl
Format:Paperback
I picked this up after visiting Clara Barton's home at Glen Echo. She was AMAZING. The first woman to represent the US internationally, responsible for persuading the US to sign the Treaty of Geneva. She came up with the idea of the Red Cross performing domestic disaster relief (instead of just aid during war). On the other hand, she was a deeply flawed woman. Too focused on details, not capable of running a national organization, mostly excelled at working in the field herself. Had trouble accounting for donations right from the start. To me, it was reminiscent of so many non-profit leaders today--great visionaries and great at their jobs in some ways, but not necessarily great at running organizations. The writing is very engaging even though the book is pretty long. I really recommend it to anyone interested in women's history or non-profit organizations.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Received when expected
Item was as described and received as expected just in time for my daughter to read and do her book report.
Published 5 months ago by Theresa Ragas
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting but long.
Shedid a lot for the country.
She had much adversity in her life.,which she was able to overcome.She was not given enough credit for all she
accomplished.
She had much adversity in her life.,which she was able to overcome.She was not given enough credit for all she
accomplished.
Published 5 months ago by Donald F. Stoddard
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent condition
This book came in like-new condition.
It's a "thick" read, but a good one. Very interesting biography.
It's a "thick" read, but a good one. Very interesting biography.
Published on July 5, 2010 by Diana Prince
Citations (learn more)
22
books
cite this book:
See all 22 books citing this book
- Clara Barton: In the Service of Humanity (Contributions in Women's Studies) by David H Burton on 6 pages
- A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Presidency and Women: Promise, Performance, and Illusion (Joseph V. Hughes, Jr., and Holly O. Hughes Series in the Presidency and Leadership Studies, No. 15) by Janet M. Martin in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- An Uncommon Soldier: The Civil War Letters of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, alias Pvt. Lyons Wakeman, 153rd Regiment, New York State Volunteers, 1862-1864 by Sarah Rosetta Wakeman in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The End of the Age of Innocence: Edith Wharton and the First World War by Alan Price in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
See all 22 books citing this book
