Beyond Nightingale: Nursing on the Crimean War Battlefields

(Hardback)

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This book studies Crimean War nursing from a transnational perspective setting nursing in the five combatant armies into the wider context of European statecraft.

Beyond Nightingale is the first book to explore the inception of modern nursing from a transnational perspective, studying the development of the new military nursing in the five Crimean War armies. The story is told within the broader context of the different political, social and economic cultures from which modern nursing arose. Although the Russians were battling industrialised armies with their pre-industrial, agrarian economy it was they who developed the most innovative system of nursing. The book illustrates the barriers, some of which still exist today, which nurses had to overcome to gain recognition of the crucial role they played in the war. The significant contributions allied and Russian nurses made working directly under fire during the Russians brilliant defence of Sevastopol make a wonderfully exciting story during which these mid-nineteenth century nurses proved their extraordinary competencies.

Reviews

'As with all Helmstadters work, this book is written in accessible language but is supported by exemplary scholarship and has much to recommend it to those interested in this subject.'
The UK Association for the History of Nursing

'[] an outstandingly trenchant analysis of the topic, and a highly revealing window into the world of battlefield nursing on the cusp of its modern iteration. For historians of nursing and medicine, as well as for those interested in Victorian (women's) history - not to mention the perpetually fascinating character of Florence Nightingale herself - this book is required reading and represents the most up to date work extant in the field.'
Anglican and Episcopal History

Author Bio

Carol Helmstadter is a retired neurosurgical nurse who holds degrees in both history and nursing. She was Government Relations Officer for Ontario Nurses Association and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Graduate Department of the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto