Nightingales: The Extraordinary Upbringing and Curious Life of Miss Florence Nightingale
“Through the facts [Nightingale] always saw lives,” writes Gill, author of books on Agatha Christie and Mary Baker Eddy. Such is also true of Gill, who abandons historical speculation in favor of fastidious reliance on diaries and letters from Nightingale’s family, friends, and colleagues. Although one of many existing biographies,Nightingalesis one of the first to thoroughly examine the relationship between her public and private life. Besides vividly evoking Austenesque mores, Gill creates full-blooded characters, from a sickly sister to a dilettante father. Critics disagree about Gill’s tone; while novelistic, the constant use of “I” distracted some and edified others. Similarly, the myriad details both add and subtract from the narrative. Yet, on each page,Nightingalesoffers a unique perspective on the Bird’s fascinating life.Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.