This colorful narrative of French history in the sixth century is a dramatic and detailed portrait of a period of political and religious turmoil.For more than seventy years; Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1;700 titles; Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors; as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
#534105 in Books imusti 2005-11-29 2005-11-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.80 x .60 x 5.20l; .46 #File Name: 0140439021304 pagesPenguin Classics
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy CatherineInteresting book1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy WalkerVery interesting book about a very interesting lady.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Forgotten heroine of the CrimeaBy PattoWe all know Florence Nightingale; but what about Mrs. Seacole; the Creole nurse who also served the wounded and dying in the Crimean War?Mrs. Seacole was born in Jamaica in 1805; half black; half Scottish; and equally proud of both bloodlines. She learned Creole medicine from her "doctress" mother. During some of her adventures in lawless Panama; she became adept at tending knife and gunshot wounds.Hearing of the miserable conditions among the wounded in the Crimean War; she longed to help. Florence Nightingale; however; refused to accept the brown-skinned Mrs. Seacole as a nurse; despite her ideal qualifications.And so Mrs. Seacole sponsored herself; setting up a combination shop and restaurant near the siege grounds of Sevastopol and dividing her time between business and the battlefield.An upbeat narrator full of fascinating anecdotes; Mrs. Seacole is humorous; motherly and audacious by turns. An inveterate traveler to dangerous places; she never ceases to amaze us with her entrepreneurial chutzpah and her passion for healing.This complex woman was too colorful a personality to be defined by her color. She simply refused to be daunted by the deep racism of society. To read her autobiography is to feel very close to her. Mrs. Seacole was a charmer as well as a great humanitarian; and it's easy to see why she was so beloved by the sick and wounded and the soldiers who saw her in action.The Wonderful Adventures make wonderful reading; but more importantly; the book presents us with a heroine who has been strangely eclipsed by Florence Nightingale; yet deserves to be just as famous.The introduction is also an excellent read and gives background on the Crimean War that I sorely needed; not being up on history.Highly recommended!
