Customer Reviews

Florence Nightingale: Mystic, Visionary, Healer

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This is unquestionably the best biography of Nightingale ever written. The author reminds us that Nightingale was one of the first statisticians -- one of the first members of the statistical society in the U.K. and for many years the only woman member. Nightingale collected and published voluminous statistics about health care (she proved that the rate of childbirth fever was lower among women cared for by midwives vs those cared for by physicians and surmised correctly that the difference was that the midwives washed their hands and established hygiene in the birth chamber. The physicians came to the birth room covered with blood from dissections.) The germ theory of disease had not been developed -- but she was able to reduce the death rate in the hospitals in Crimea by ensuring cleanliness, safe water and good food for the patients.) She was also a suffragist and one of the first signers of a petition in support of suffrage put forward by her
friends, the philosopher John Stuart Mill and his wife Harriet Taylor, who were prominent proponents of women's suffrage. Mill asked Nightingale to dedicate herself to the cause of female suffrage and she replied that there were others as qualified as she; she was needed to reform the British military, hospital and medical systems. Nightingale shook up the British military, hospital and medical establishments. She had many enemies because of her work -- and they became even more virulent when she was proved right. Unfortunately their calumnies persist to this day. While doing the work which first brought her to public attention she contracted Crimean Fever -- a common complaint of those who served in the Crimea War. Dossey points out that recent research indicates that Crimean Fever was probably brucellosis which was and is epidemic and endemic in the Crimea. (It occurs now, too, in the U.S. among persons who work with infected cattle.) Nightingale was a very devout Christian. At 17 she sought a direction for her life. She came to feel that she was called to serve the sick and took a vow of chastity when she was 17. Barbara Dossey is an R.N. with a Master's degree in nursing. She has written texts on intensive care nursing and on wholistic health. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing -- which signfies the high respect of her research peers for her work. This is the finest contribution she has made and that says a lot.

The life and accomplishments of Florence Nightingale is an extremely difficult subject to examine. This complex and multi-facted women had an amazing intellect driven by her profound spirituality and and need to improve the well-being of mankind. Barbara Dossey is to be commended for her excellent biography which goes well beyond the usual recounting of dates and events. This volume is beautifully illustrated and analyzes many of the persistent issues which have surrounded Nighitngale including her extended illness. There is a well-developed analysis of Nightingale's motivators and motivations. This volume should be of interest to the general reading public as well as nurses.

This beautiful book is the most comprehensive and creative examintation I have ever read of the life of this remarkable woman. The book is profusely illustrated. Many of the images are in full color and have not been previously printed. Words and images combine to produce insights of incredible depth and beauty. The author's straightforward and readable writing style reminds readers of Nightingale's own writings. Clearly, Dossey has a connection with the fascinating Miss Nightingale that spans the boundaries of time and space. This is lucky for us, the readers of this sesntive portrait of one of the most amazing women in history. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in feminist history, healing, the path of the mystic, leadership, or the history of nursing. It will surely become a classic in its genre!

I knew of Florence Nightingale's nursing activities before reading this book but had no idea of the extent of her self-discipline, dedication and accomplishments. She was a systems analyst, administrator, networker and mystic who devoted her life to doing God's work. She was also a prolific writer of books, lay reports, pamphlets and thousands of letters. The author provides a wealth of background material describing the historic times and places associated with Florence Nightingale. One of the things I appreciated about this book were the many maps and photographs appropriately placed near the text about the person or places.

Florence Nightingale is one of the most important female figures in healthcare of the past two centuries and perhaps of all time. She brought not only enormous compassion and caring to the bedside, but impeccable science as well. It is fitting that her story is told by Barbara Dossey, who has also made significant contributions to nursing science. This biography is a gripping account not only of Nightingale's professional accomplishments, but of her inner life as well. This is a story of how science can be empowered and informed by spirituality, and how the two can dwell harmoniously in an individual life. This book shows how Nightingale helped transform the status of women, and why all modern women are in Nightingale's debt.

As a nurse and amateur Florence Nightingale historian, I was so excited to find this book. The content did not disappoint me. It offers the best coverage of the life of this extraordinary woman I've seen or read. This book is exciting, informative, and beautiful.

Nightingale transformed healthcare in the nineteenth century, and built a foundation for modern nursing. Dossey's clear writing, coupled with her extensive research, presents an enjoyable, comprehensive picture of the significance of Nightingale's life. The historical photographs and illustrations complemented the text and were a delight to view.

I recommend the book to anyone interested in nursing, history or the biography of an amazing woman. Thank you Barbara Dossey for bringing Florence Nightingale to life in this wonderful book!

Barbara Dossey has created a brilliant monument to the world of healing and nursing. Creatively illustrated, finely written and comprehensive in thought, I know of no other book in the long list of published biographies that heralds a woman who has changed the course of events in professional caregiving. Learn and feel the inspiration through Barbara Dossey's great creation of word, eye and heart.

I was inspired to become a nurse by stories of the "lady with the lamp" but it took more than 30 years before I found this book and learned just why Florence Nightingale deserved to be my inspiration. The pictures alone are worth the price of this book, and the story too is well told.

This biography of nursing's most influential leader is a tribute to her contributions ... and can serve as a way we can learn to integrate our personal and professional lives.

This detailed, thoroughly researched biography is very readable and destined to become a classic. There are many photos, sketches and letters that add much richness to the book.

The book holds a reader's interest and leaves one with a sense of awe and respect for Nightingale and her contributions.

In fairness to other readers, Barbara is my wife's sister. Having lived through the books birthing, I was aware of the intense passion and years of scholarship that Barbara brings to everything she does. However, when I finally had a copy in my hands, I was touched in a way that was unexpected. I felt that sense of overwhelming joy and relief you feel when someone you love puts their heart and soul into something that turns out to exceed your wildest expectations. Florence' life was a journey toward harmony and balance and this book embraces those qualities. Aesthetically beautiful... easy quick paced reading... scholarly, yet personal, with hundreds of photos and copies of actual letters that make Florence and this period of history come alive.. well organized for coffee table reading... thoroughly satisfying in both it's depth and breadth (400 + pages). Whether you're interested in the healing arts, women who shaped history, biographies or mysticism, pick this up and take a look. I'm not sure whether I'm more inspired by Florence or it's author. Mystic, visionary and healer indeed.