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kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
5.0
I picked this up for my Kindle for two reasons. The first is because it didn't cost my anything. The second because I actually knew who Mary Seacole was after reading an essay about her in either British Heritage or a British history magazine.
Mrs. Mary Seacole was first and foremost a lady. To call her anything else, except for a lady nurse, would be an insult to this wonderful woman.
Mrs Seacole was a nurse, in particular in her native Kingston and in the Crimea. She was biracial and refused a position with Florence Nightengale's nurses because of it. Mrs Seacole did not let this stop her, and went to the Crimena along with her business partner, Mr Day. Not only did she nurse and tend the wounded (in fact, she seems to be more of a doctor than a nurse), but she ran a store that doubled as a resturant.
The troops loved her. They called her Mother Seacole.
What makes Mrs Seacole's books a good read is what she covers. While most of the book is concerned about the war, the beginning of the book concerns her early life in Kingston as while as Granda. This includes interactions with Americans during a time when slavery was legal. Seacole relates not only stories about her treatment, she could not travel on a American boat, but also how residents of the town in Panama actually intervened in a case of a woman abusing her slave.
Her treatment by Americans is sharply contrasted to her treatment by the British and French troops (including some Russians). She had the respect of the officers as well as the common solider. She relates stories about how she regained her stolen pig, about almost being arrested as a spy by some French troops (apparently, Mrs Seacole was very good in wielding a bell as a weapon).
Mrs Seacole's book was written, in part, to help her make money during her "old" age (she would refer to them as her mature years). The troops loved her and several came to her aid in terms of raising money for her. The book does not read like a ego piece. Instead, it is as if she is talking to you, telling you the story.
This book is a good read simply because it covers war, racism, and women's rights.
Note: Considering the recent editing of Huck Finn, I feel I should point out that the "n" word does make an appearance. Please note that Mrs Seacole does not use it to describe someone, but an a** and a b***h use it describe Mrs Seacole. I believe that the word should NOT be edited out because to do so would mask the treatment that Mrs Seacole had to deal with. If you are senastive to the word, it only appears twice.
Mrs. Mary Seacole was first and foremost a lady. To call her anything else, except for a lady nurse, would be an insult to this wonderful woman.
Mrs Seacole was a nurse, in particular in her native Kingston and in the Crimea. She was biracial and refused a position with Florence Nightengale's nurses because of it. Mrs Seacole did not let this stop her, and went to the Crimena along with her business partner, Mr Day. Not only did she nurse and tend the wounded (in fact, she seems to be more of a doctor than a nurse), but she ran a store that doubled as a resturant.
The troops loved her. They called her Mother Seacole.
What makes Mrs Seacole's books a good read is what she covers. While most of the book is concerned about the war, the beginning of the book concerns her early life in Kingston as while as Granda. This includes interactions with Americans during a time when slavery was legal. Seacole relates not only stories about her treatment, she could not travel on a American boat, but also how residents of the town in Panama actually intervened in a case of a woman abusing her slave.
Her treatment by Americans is sharply contrasted to her treatment by the British and French troops (including some Russians). She had the respect of the officers as well as the common solider. She relates stories about how she regained her stolen pig, about almost being arrested as a spy by some French troops (apparently, Mrs Seacole was very good in wielding a bell as a weapon).
Mrs Seacole's book was written, in part, to help her make money during her "old" age (she would refer to them as her mature years). The troops loved her and several came to her aid in terms of raising money for her. The book does not read like a ego piece. Instead, it is as if she is talking to you, telling you the story.
This book is a good read simply because it covers war, racism, and women's rights.
Note: Considering the recent editing of Huck Finn, I feel I should point out that the "n" word does make an appearance. Please note that Mrs Seacole does not use it to describe someone, but an a** and a b***h use it describe Mrs Seacole. I believe that the word should NOT be edited out because to do so would mask the treatment that Mrs Seacole had to deal with. If you are senastive to the word, it only appears twice.
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