Edith Cavell: Nurse, Martyr, Heroine Paperback – 1 Sept. 2011

Edith Cavell was someone we used to learn about at school, but in a rather vague kind of way: I knew the name and the basic story, but could never take it all that seriously. I think the monument in central London put me off: there's something about it that makes you think "oh yeah?" - something Souhami does actually analyse a bit. Also I'd assumed her execution by the Germans was unquestionably legal if perhaps unwise. I'm not even sure why I decided to purchase and read the book, but I'm glad I did. I was fascinated by all the detail about her nursing career - I knew she'd been at the London Hospital, but not that she'd kept in touch with Eva Luckes (the redoubtable matron) for the rest of her life; hadn't realised she got much of her later experience in Poor Law nursing, nor that she'd made such a huge contribution to introducing modern nursing in Belgium. By about halfway through the book I was already filled with tremendous respect for Cavell as a person. Not easy to write a biography of her, I would guess, as she was obviously such a private person and - I suppose you could say - very last century in her outlook, but I felt Souhami presents her honestly and brings her to life on her own terms. The analysis of the unfairness of the politically driven interrogation and trial is very convincing.

This timely biography provided a clear insight of a long co-mmitted nursing life. There is a lot of repetition and so not as satisfactory a read as it might have been. the sadness of Edith's execution was provoked by the cruelty and ineptitude of war. The lack of clarity of the depth and reasoning of Edith was partly the responsibility of the author but mainly arises from her lack of understanding of her background and upbringing. more could also have been given of the state of nursing at the time. In this Cavell was remarkable in her understanding of what patients needed and how she endeavoured to supply. It is sad that the bulk of her papers were destroyed for from them we would have understood the complexity of Cavell and her life and achievements.

Learnt of Edith Cavell at school but the focus was always on her horrific death at the hands of the Germans never on how she came to find herself in such a perilous position.This book redresses the balance as we learn of her childhood and the reasons she chose nursing as a career.Not a saccharine character,self contained someone who expected the highest standards of her junior nurses.However the traits which could make her seem formidable and intractable were what was required when it came to her making the ultimate sacrifice.This book should be on all schools reading list if only to make children aware that Hero's and Heroines are not produced by the "kick of a football" or the winning of an Olympic medal.

An amazing true story of a brave and stalwart woman, who carried out her nursing duties with determination and bravery through WWI

Absolutely brilliant read, usually I can have 2 or 3 books going on at a time, but this was a definte not put down book, excellant true history, which makes you even prouder of our wonderful nurses

The subject matter of this book is interesting and heartbreaking enough without the purple prose of the author. The tone of the book is at times nonacademic and borders on a romance novel. Assumptions are made by the author for which no facts are presented. I was disappointed that the author felt the need to go way beyond the evidence to turn what should have been a riveting tribute to an incredibly brave woman into a 'girls own' adventure story.

I recently visited the Cathedral at Norwich and seeing her grave inspired me to read a bit more about her. What an inspiring woman. what backbone, determination and grit, Truly a woman ahead of her time. I wish I could meet her but I would feel so pathetic.

Purchased for my wife who is most pleased with the book. It's condition was fine delivery was as promised and my wife is looking forward to reading it