Today Only: Free Gift Wrap In-Store! 🎁

Women to the Front

3.84 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 51 ratings, 14 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Women to the Front by Heather Sheard and Ruth Lee explores the courageous contributions of Australian women who served as medical professionals during World War I and II. The book highlights their perseverance and dedication as they navigated the challenges of warfronts, breaking barriers in male-dominated environments. Through personal stories and historical insights, the authors celebrate these pioneers who reshaped the role of women in the military and medical fields.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3600
Elsewhere:
$4000
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 3-4 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this engaging exploration if you are fascinated by the pioneering spirit of women in the medical field during wartime. This book delves into the courageous contributions of female doctors and nurses on the front lines, offering rich insights into their struggles and triumphs in a male-dominated sphere. If you're interested in tales of resilience and determination amidst historical conflict, this narrative will captivate you.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Women to the Front

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Australian Women Doctors of the First World War

At the outbreak of World War I, 129 women were registered as medical practitioners in Australia, and many of them were eager to contribute their skills and expertise to the war effort. For the military establishment, however, the notion of women doctors serving on the battlefield was unthinkable. Undaunted, at least twenty-four Australian women doctors ignored official military policy and headed to the frontlines.

This book explores the stories of the Australian women who served as surgeons, pathologists, anaesthetists, and medical officers between 1914 and 1919. Despite saving hundreds of lives, their experiences are almost totally absent from official military records, both in Australia and Great Britain, and many of their achievements have remained invisible for over a century. Until now.

Heather Sheard and Ruth Lee have compiled a fascinating and meticulously researched account of the Great War, seen through the eyes of these women and their essential work. From the Eastern to the Western Fronts, to Malta, and to London, we bear witness to the terrible conditions, the horrific injuries, the constant danger, and above all, the skill and courage displayed by this group of remarkable Australians. Women to the Front is a war story unlike any other.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Women to the Front by Heather Sheard and Ruth Lee sheds light on the roles of Australian nurses during wartime, particularly the World Wars, highlighting their bravery and contributions to the military. The book is praised for its extensive research and compelling storytelling, bringing these often-overlooked narratives to the forefront. Many reviewers appreciate the rich historical detail and the way it honours the legacy of these pioneering women.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780143794707

Publisher: Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 April 2019

Country: Australia

Imprint: Ebury Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Heather Sheard (Author) Heather Sheard was a Victorian secondary school teacher and Assistant Principal. After retiring she researched the history of Victoria's Maternal & Child Health Centres for a Master's degree at the University of Melbourne, published as All the Little Children- the story of Victoria's Baby Health Centres in 2007 and re-printed in 2017. Her PhD, also undertaken at Melbourne was a biography of Dr Vera Scantlebury Brown published in 2016 as A Heart Undivided- the Life of Dr Vera Scantlebury Brown, 1889-1946. During her PhD research she was captivated by the stories of a number of largely unheralded Australian women doctors who served during the Great War and determined to write about their experiences and contribution. Heather has written articles for The Conversation, Spirit of Progress, City of Kingston and Chiron and chapters in Founders, Firsts and Feminists, Women Leaders in Twentieth Century Australia, 2011; Strength of Mind- 125 Years of Women in Medicine, ed. 2014 and Women Doctors- Proving their Worth in Compassion and Courage- Doctors and Dentists at War, 2015. Heather lives in Elwood and has a 'petite' holiday cottage near the wineries of Burgundy, France. Ruth Lee (Author) Ruth Lee has taught Australian history and academic writing at Deakin University, Geelong for 25 years; her major research interest has been documenting women's history. Researching the life of Dr Mary De Garis, she was awarded her PhD at Deakin University 2011 and went on to write the biography Woman War Doctor- The Life of Mary De Garis, Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2014, which was commended by the Royal Historical Society of Victoria's Community History awards, Centenary of World War One category, 2015. She has contributed articles to the University of Melbourne's Medical History Museum exhibition catalogues (2013 and 2015) and entries for The Encyclopedia of Women and Leadership in Twentieth-Century Australia (online) (2014). Ruth lives on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria.

More from History & Military

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.