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 Helmstadter's 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

Beyond Nightingale is exhaustively researched, based on an impressive collection of primary sources. She introduces us to new areas of research relating to non-Nightingale nursing in the Crimean War, which stand comparison with Nightingale's own approach.this is a great addition to Manchester University Press's series on Nursing History and the Humanities. It is a must for anyone interested in early history of nursing, history of military nursing, and history of the Crimean War.
Bulletin of the History of Medicine

Introduction

1 The Wider Context of Military Nursing in 1854

Section I: Government imposed nursing

2 British Military Nursing in 1854
3 Nightingale's Nursing Team

Section II: Sisterhood nursing

4 Mother Francis Bridgeman and her Nursing System
5 Mother Mary Clare Moore and the Anglican Sisters
6 The Daughters of Charity in the French Hospitals
7 The Daughters and Catastrophe in the French Medical Department

Section III: Doctor directed nursing

8 Ottoman Nursing Contrasted with Nursing in the Naval Hospital in Therapia
9 Nursing in the British Civilian Hospitals in Smyrna and Renkioi
10 The Russian Sisters of the Exaltation of the Cross
11 The Russian Sisters under Severe Pressure

Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

Author

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