As a former trauma nurse, I always love reading books about the women who were on the front lines of the present day nursing profession when it was in its infancy.

One woman I'd never heard of was Janet Wells, a young woman who cared for wounded soldiers with few supplies and little help.

She helped a tremendous amount of wounded men during the Balkan and Anglo-Zulu wars, all before age 20.

This book was especially amazing as Janet Well's great-granddaughter shared her grandmother's scrapbook with The Anglo-Zulu War Historical Society so as her history would be told to a wider audience.

Very much enjoyed reading about Ms. Wells and her amazing accomplishments.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book for an honest review.

3.5 star rating. Sister Janet was Janet King, nee Wells who volunteered her services and was sent to the Balkans and then South Africa. Although young, she was a skilled and compassionate nurse. The book is made up of many parts - history, military, medicine (the how and why of what ailed her patients and what was done to help them), biography and travelogue. So something for everyone here. It was interesting in parts ie medical and Janet herself. There were far too many mentions of how “pretty” she was but yet not a single photograph of her or any of the places she went to! It would have made such a difference to this book.

1870s, nursing, hospital-system, military-history, historical-research, historical-figures, historical-places-events, nonfiction

This is not an unbiased review as I am a nurse and a history geek.
Part 1 covers the horrible conditions awaiting the war wounded in Scutari during the Crimean War ( October 1853 to February 1856) and the Herculean work accomplished by Florence Nightingale assisted by the 125 nurses she brought with her from England. It also covers the elevation in the eyes of the populace of the profession of nurse and the establishment of the Red Cross and the tremendous changes in military hospital care. The next to influence care was Henri Dunant (Swiss humanitarian, businessman and social activist. He was the visionary, promoter and co-founder of the Red Cross) who changed conditions in Northern Italy around the Battle of Solferino in 1859 and established the hospital at Castiglione. Disease was rampant at home as well and things were changing in patient care.
Part 2 covers the work and life of Nurse Janet Wells. Born in West London in 1859 into the family of a talented professor of music, she determined to become a Nursing Sister and serve at age 17. There is a good description of the education and learning process of the time. Then begins clear descriptions of the work she accomplished in the nursing service to the Russians in the 1878 Balkan War and became the only nurse to serve at the Front in the Anglo Zulu War.
The due diligence into historical research and the use of her own journals is beyond impressive.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Pen & Sword Military via NetGalley. Thank you!

Wow what a dedicated woman not only as a nurse but as a friend and companion. Worked through horrendous times but nothing stopped her form carrying on