Debbie Harpham
Good fortune brought us together and we know we have found a gem in our in-house book reviewer, Dorothy Caldwell Minor, aka The Book Whisperer.
A little about Dorothy:
“I am an avid reader and also enjoy Indie and foreign movies. I retired from teaching English at Tulsa Community College after teaching as an adjunct first and then twenty-four years as a full-time faculty member. I was also involved in faculty development, planning and facilitating workshops for colleagues. I like technology and using technology to enhance learning. As an adjunct, I started a book club on campus, and it is still going strong thirty-one years later! I also belong to two other book clubs.I’ve included a picture from a Chautauqua Tea at TCC, complete with hat and brooch! I enjoy collecting vintage rhinestone brooches.”
Dorothy’s book club, Circle of Readers:
“We meet twice monthly. The first of the month, we all read a book and discuss it; the second time we meet, we discuss other books we’ve read. We enjoy inviting authors to join us! We have 20 members, and we are located in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. We are currently reading When Time Stopped by Ariana Neumann and enjoy reading fiction, historical fiction, memoir, nonfiction, YA.”
Why is Tracey Enerson Wood’s THE WAR NURSE a hidden gem? Read on:
The War Nurse is a book my friend Theresa calls a hidden gem because it is historical fiction based in WWI. So much of our historical fiction is based on stories out of WWII. And stories from both of those horrific wars are worthy of our attention. As a result, I am reposting this review of The War Nurse to bring the story and Julia Stimson, the woman at its center, a little more attention.
I am a big fan of historical novels. I especially enjoy reading one that introduces me to figures from history about whom I have no knowledge. The War Nurse by Tracey Enerson Wood does just that. I had not ever heard of Julia Stimson. Wood has done her research on Stimson’s life and accomplishments and has woven those facts into a mesmerizing recounting in historical fiction of Stimson’s world.
Julia Catherine Stimson was born in MA and graduated from Vassar College in 1901, a time when few women received an education beyond the age of fourteen. She followed up by attending the New York Hospital Training School for Nurses and then a master’s degree from Washington U in St. Louis in 1917. That same year, she joined Army Nurse Corps in WWI. Stimson received a number of awards for her service. In 1948, she was promoted to full colonel.
Wood takes readers on the journey with Stimson as she volunteers to train American nurses to help British nurses who have already been in the war. In fact, Stimson and her nurses are already engaged before American troops are deployed.
Stimson faces a number of tests. Not only is she training the nurses, but she also faces truly primitive conditions. The horrible war wounds add to her stress and difficulties. Not being able to get the supplies the nurses need and yet trying hard to save lives and give comfort to the wounded makes life more than difficult. These conditions made me think of the difficulties medical personnel and hospitals faced during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Stimson also faces prejudice because she is a woman and a nurse. Her strength of character and sense of right keep her going despite all the struggles she faces.
Wood did thorough research on Stimson’s life and career. Adding to that research, Wood herself is a nurse, so her understanding of the medical conditions and the lack of supplies Stimson faced means even more. Readers can feel certain the medical explanations are accurate. The War Nurse will provide an excellent discussion for book clubs. Meaty topics such as understanding care of wounded soldiers, fighting for women’s rights, seeking recognition for nurses, and risking everything to save those soldiers.
The War Nurse is a must-read for historical fiction buffs. It puts the spotlight squarely on Julia Stimson and her career. I am grateful to have received an advance copy from BookBrowse. Tracey Enerson Wood is also a member of NovelNetwork, a group that seeks to connect authors and readers. The book was published July 6, 2021. Now, The War Nurse is widely available and Tracey Enerson Wood is part of NovelNetwork, a site that connects authors and readers. Book clubs can invite Wood to join them for a conversation via Zoom or Skype. What is better than having the author join a book club’s discussion?
Tracey Enerson Wood is available to visit with book clubs via NovelNetwork.com.
Be sure to visit Dorothy’s website, Parkdalear’s Blog, and watch for her reviews of our NovelNetwork authors featured there, and shared right here at NovelNetwork.com.