I have long been an admirer of the author Helen Rappaport, especially the books "The Romanov Sisters" and "Magnificent Obsession." So I was very excited to be chosen to read this book by this author by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for a review. I found the book to be excellent reading with not only a narrative of what happened to women who bravely followed the fighting men to the Crimea but the book also had many excerpts of letters and diaries to make the experience more "real" for the reader. Also, Ms. Rappaport also talked about Russian women at the front which I have never read about before and a different account of Florence Nightingale other than the fawning accounts usually given.
When we're not wanted by the British army at the front with good reason. They got in the way and there was no provision for them in the regulations. That means no food, clothing, or lodging. However, a soldier's wife and children left at home were left to starve as no provision was left for them either. A lottery was set up and 6 wives with no children were picked to go with their husbands to go but they had to shift for themselves. They usually washed for the men or acted as servants for the officer's wives who of course had different rules. The women suffered on the ships. Suffered on the marches. Lived and died with their men. If their men died they were truly lost. Remember, no food, shelter, or clothing from the army. They turned to drink to cope. Washing, mending, cooking, and prostitution to survive. Their children died in drives.
After battles, the British had no real medical care. A few orderlies and surgeon and a filthy hospital in Scutari. The French had the Sisters of Charity. Word got back to Britain that their beloved soldiers were dying for lack of care and incompetence. Enter Florence Nightingale. Florence went to the Crimea to care for the wounded with a group of nurses and what they found was appalling. The filth, vermin, lack of bedding, clothing, eating utensils, etc. was appalling. The women set to work. Florence was demanding and difficult to work for. Many women turned to drink to come. Florence was inflexible and refused to understand others could not work as she could. She sent many women home. Several nurses died. Florence made a difference but at a cost. Mary Seacole went to the Crimea at her own expense. She was from the Caribbean and was a doctor and a herbalist and nursed many a soldier bank to health. More soldiers died from disease than from wounds. Cholera was endemic. Mary also set up a canteen and did a lot for British morals. The French had this covered already. The British officer with their class system had nothing but contempt for the common soldier and let them die in droves. Although Crimea was no place for women the few heroic women who did come save thousands of British soldier's lives. The French nuns worked tirelessly to save the wounded French soldier. One of the more interesting stories is the British surgeon who turned out to be a woman. Very interesting reading.
Then there are the Russians. A group of fearless Russian young upper-class women heard about the British nurses and wanted to help and the Russian military brass did not want there help either. However, a Russian surgeon, needing help, could see their value enlisted their help and these brave young women worked through the war caring for the wounded soldiers eve during the shelling. One nurse was even killed during the shelling. After the war, not one British woman was recognized or given a medal. The Russian women were recognized and given several medals. Florence Nightingale founded a nursing school. This book does not hold back from the horrors of war. After reading it you just again always have to ask why? ( )

No Place for Ladies
THE UNTOLD STORY OF WOMEN IN THE CRIMEAN WAR
Aurum Press, 2007

Poignant and inspirational, well researched yet thoroughly readable, No Place for Ladies is the untold story of war, love, death - and the brave women, from nurses to countesses, who went out to the Crimea.
Simon Sebag Montefiore

Fascinating...the author has made excellent use of [the diaries and letters].Rappaport weaves their stories into the text without sentimentality; the facts speak for themselves.
Alan Mallinson, Times

Helen Rappaport in her wide-ranging and informative book...brings together material from
many scattered sources to provide a comprehensive and fascinating picture of the varied roles [women] undertook...she cuts through the myth and soft-focus hagiography that has built up around...Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole.
Christine Kelly, Literary Review

No Place for Ladies tells the haunting stories of mostly forgotten women, drawing the reader into lives of extreme hardship, devotion and devastation. Helen Rappaport paints
a vivid picture...[and] addresses the voyeurism of wars...
Andrea Wulf, Guardian

An amazing tale, beautifully told, about all the women who weren’t Florence Nightingale.
Janie Hampton, Élan magazine ( )