Customer Reviews

Mary Breckinridge: The Frontier Nursing Service and Rural Health in Appalachia

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An excellent, well-written books that's more than a history of the Frontier Nursing Service, but also an introduction to a real character and her times: Mary Breckinridge, a flawed smoking, cursing heroine who brought much-needed medical attention to a remote community, the patients, who led tough lives and resented the well-bred Breckinridge's condescension towards them, during a period in America still rife with open racism and conflict. an absorbing and interesting history that is well-written, not too dry and academic.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, having grown up in this area, my parents knew her and I became inspired to be a nurse from her work.

Many city dwellers think nothing of having doctors at easy access. This was not true for rural dwellers in Appalachia in the early twentieth century. "Mary Breckinridge: The Frontier Nursing Service and Rural Health in Appalachia" tells the story of Mary Breckinridge, founder of the Frontier Nursing service, who for several years provided aid and medical care to those in need throughout this backwoods region. Her heartwarming story is one of altruism and care, making "Mary Breckinridge" highly recommended.