Dave T Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 Has any one read this book by Lyn Macdonald on the volunteer nurses and doctors who were on the Western Front? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregs_yorkley Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 Hi Dave, I read this some years ago, before I properly got interested in WW1. I seem to recall it was a good read, although as I wasn't properly into the subject, I can't recall whether it was factually correct etc. Sorry not to be of more help. Cheers Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 Yes, definitely a good read in my opinion. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 17 August , 2006 Admin Share Posted 17 August , 2006 This is the book that started me on the road to my abiding interest in WW1. I picked it up in the school of nursing library when I was supposed to be swotting for my finals. Although I have moved on from Lyn MacDonalds books, I have a fondness for this as without it my life would be immeasurably poorer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul guthrie Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 It's quite good, among many things covered is the amazing incompetence which led to death by drowning of NZ nurses in Mediterranean on a military ship when there was ample space on a nearby hospital ship which was not attacked. I have been to their memorial near Salonika. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 I found this book to be outstanding as some one whos Great Aunt served throughout the war in Field Hospitals and Casualty Clearing Stations it gave me an insight into the life they led. Lyn MacDonald is great at pulling together individuals stories and then knitting the history of the events through them-all in all a good read along with all her others. Cheers, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6th Shropshires Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 A good read and an insight into the medical side of things, not the total story but still worth buying. Annette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 A good read and an insight into the medical side of things, not the total story but still worth buying. Annette To amplify on Annette's closing comment I would say that Lyn Macdonald's books are a good introductory read in so far as they go. The books are generally written around the recollections of veterans and hence areas where there is much material available is well covered but there are other areas where little was available by way of veterans testimony and so these areas are relatively thinly treated and there are omissions. That said "Roses of No Mans Land" is a good introduction to the topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIFFO Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 excellent book,have re read a few times and still amazed at treatment of v.a.d by matrons,having to lift badly wounded soldiers so that the pillow edges faced the door ready for inspection has the mind boggling. go out and buy it biff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted 17 August , 2006 Author Share Posted 17 August , 2006 Thanks for all your comments, it looks like another a success for Lyn Macdonald. I can see a visit to the local bookshop this weekend! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAAAEd Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 excellent book, Agreed. Don't be put off by comments implying that it is not a comprehensive account. I doubt MacDonald sets out to provide such an account prefering other historians to follow that path. have re read a few times and still amazed at treatment of v.a.d by matrons,having to lift badly wounded soldiers so that the pillow edges faced the door ready for inspection has the mind boggling. biff Having myself spent time in a military hospital I can empathise with that situation. Being on traction (hung from the neck until almost dead) in an orthopaedic ward, bed tilted up at head, and many others being hung from the waste beds tilted up at foot, I was 'amused' on Admirals Rounds to be engaged in a form of 'bed tango' so that all those angled down at the feet were on one side of the ward and those angled down at the head on t'other side. It was about two days before we all caught up with our lockers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Saunders Posted 17 August , 2006 Share Posted 17 August , 2006 This was one of the first WW1 books I read and predates my passioante interest in WW1. I found it a very good read - probably my favourite of MacDonald's books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Robertson Posted 18 August , 2006 Share Posted 18 August , 2006 I found it a very good read - probably my favourite of MacDonald's books. It is certainly my favourite book of hers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swizz Posted 18 August , 2006 Share Posted 18 August , 2006 I'm no expert on the subject but I did enjoy this book. Its readability probably makes it ideal as an introduction to the topic. Am inspired to go back to it now (assuming I can locate my own copy)! Swizz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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