Nursing, The Finest Art: An Illustrated History by Patricia Donahue, Patricia M. Donahue

From the Publisher

NURSING, THE FINEST ART traces the social, political, and economic history of nursing from its origins through contemporary practice. Designed for nurses in all specialties and settings, this edition includes new material on nurses' involvement in recent world events; more international nursing information; and updated and expanded content on the historical significance of nursing associations. Perfect for all nurses with an interest in the history of their profession and an appreciation of fine artwork.

Spanish version of 1st edition also available, ISBN: 84-7592-239-2

Ann Kuckelman Cobb

This book is a second edition of a history of nursingthat emphasizes the art of nursing through lavish color illustrationsof works of art. It appears 10 years after the first edition, with twonew chapters focusing on healthcare reform and global issues innursing. The 11 chapters cover the origins of nursing in ""primitive""cultures, through ancient civilizations to the present. The authorarticulates both an historical and an esthetic aim. Although nursingis both art and science, the emphasis has been on science. The authorintends to redress this imbalance by calling attention to the creativeand the imaginative in the role of the nurse as it has evolved overtime. The book is meant as a supplement to both art courses andnursing courses. The intended audience is not only nurses, but alllovers of art. Because it is oversize, glossy, and expensive, it isimpractical as a nursing history textbook. It is more in the genre ofthe art history text or the gift book. The author has taught historyof nursing courses since 1973 and is currently working on a biographyof Isabel Maitland Stewart, an early 20th century nursingleader. This second edition contains some new art selections andothers have been eliminated. References, bibliography, and a list ofplates appear at the back of the text. Especially helpful are theinformative timelines at the beginning of each chapter, identifyingchanges in daily life, science and technology, the visual arts,medicine and health care, and nursing, for the time period covered inthat chapter. This book is a visual feast beautifully produced, witha pleasing balance between text and illustrations. The addition of thetwo final chapters and the selection of new artwork enhances both thehistorical and visual content. The historiography is straightforwardand without interpretive frame.

Publishers Weekly

The history of nursing is essentially a story of women and reflects their subjugated condition in various times and places. In Europe nurses indoctrinated by the Church from 300 A.D. onward were trained in passivity, humility and disregard for self. Male physicians in 19th century America saw midwifery as a threat to their profession and crushed this female vocation. Donahue, a professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing, demonstrates that nurses or healers often enjoyed a high status in Asian cultures and among ``primitive'' peoples. Modern developments such as team nursing and specialization are cursorily examined. Written in textbook style, this volume is marred by superficial coverage and occasionally sloppy writing. The dull prose fails to bring the story to life. Russac, an archivist for Sotheby's, has pulled together hundreds of sprightly illustrations ranging from Judy Chicago to Rembrandt. The pictures lavishly amplify the text even when they are not from the era being discussed. (March)

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Ann Kuckelman Cobb, RN, PhD(University of Kansas School of Nursing)
Description:This book is a second edition of a history of nursing that emphasizes the art of nursing through lavish color illustrations of works of art. It appears 10 years after the first edition, with two new chapters focusing on healthcare reform and global issues in nursing. The 11 chapters cover the origins of nursing in "primitive" cultures, through ancient civilizations to the present.
Purpose:The author articulates both an historical and an esthetic aim. Although nursing is both art and science, the emphasis has been on science. The author intends to redress this imbalance by calling attention to the creative and the imaginative in the role of the nurse as it has evolved over time. The book is meant as a supplement to both art courses and nursing courses.
Audience:The intended audience is not only nurses, but ""all lovers of art."" Because it is oversize, glossy, and expensive, it is impractical as a nursing history textbook. It is more in the genre of the art history text or the gift book. The author has taught history of nursing courses since 1973 and is currently working on a biography of Isabel Maitland Stewart, an early 20th century nursing leader.
Features:This second edition contains some new art selections and others have been eliminated. References, bibliography, and a list of plates appear at the back of the text. Especially helpful are the informative timelines at the beginning of each chapter, identifying changes in daily life, science and technology, the visual arts, medicine andhealth care, and nursing, for the time period covered in that chapter.
Assessment:This book is a visual feast beautifully produced, with a pleasing balance between text and illustrations. The addition of the two final chapters and the selection of new art work enhances both the historical and visual content. The historiography is straightforward and without interpretive frame.

Booknews

New edition of an elegantly produced volume that traces the social, political, and economic history of nursing from its origins through contemporary practice. Illustrated with 441 photos of people and places and reproductions of works of art--about half in color, and many full- or half-page. The bibliography is extensive. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Rating

4 Stars! from Doody

Product Details

• ISBN: 0815127278
  
• ISBN-13: 9780815127277
• Format: Textbook Hardcover, 560pp
• Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
• Pub. Date: December 1995
• Edition Description: REV
• Edition Number: 2
• Sales Rank: 72,047

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents