The Doctors Blackwell

How Two Pioneering Sisters Brought Medicine to Women and Women to Medicine

De: Janice P. Nimura

Narrado por: Laural Merlington

Elizabeth Blackwell believed from an early age that she was destined for a mission beyond the scope of "ordinary" womanhood. Though the world at first recoiled at the notion of a woman studying medicine, her intelligence and intensity ultimately won her the acceptance of the male medical establishment. In 1849, she became the first woman in America to receive an MD. She was soon joined in her iconic achievement by her younger sister, Emily, who was actually the more brilliant physician.

Exploring the sisters' allies, enemies, and enduring partnership, Janice P. Nimura presents a story of trial and triumph. Together, the Blackwells founded the New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children, the first hospital staffed entirely by women. Both sisters were tenacious and visionary, but their convictions did not always align with the emergence of women's rights - or with each other. From Bristol, Paris, and Edinburgh to the rising cities of antebellum America, this richly researched new biography celebrates two complicated pioneers who exploded the limits of possibility for women in medicine. As Elizabeth herself predicted, "a hundred years hence, women will not be what they are now."

©2021 Janice P. Nimura (P)2021 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

An excellent story poorly read

The saga of the Doctors Blackwell is educational and a thoroughly good read. But the reader droned on and on, without expression. If the story had not been so good, I would have quit listening early on.

Interesting piece of history

The story is well-written and pieced together from different letters and journal entries. I really enjoyed learning about these pioneering women. Where would we be without them? Shockingly, some of the issues the Blackwell sisters dealt with are still being grappled with even today.

Enjoyed

I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Blackwell Sisters. Read well with soothing voice. Thank you!

Good History of Early Women Doctors

My great grandmother was among the first women to graduate from the University of Michigan medical school in the early 1880’s. I remember her and some of her stories but oh how I wish I had been older or she had lived longer. I wanted to read this book to learn more, and I did. But maybe this book is better read than listened to. I found it a little dry, more like a report. The two sisters were fascinating, complicated women. The book would have been better if there had been more about them rather than just their experience and what happened to them.

Progress is built on grit!

Life was circumscribed for women in the 19th century, especially those of limited means. They could expect little but domestic work, marriage, endless pregnancies and a high rate of mortality amongst their children. The Blackwell sisters escaped this fate. By shear force of will and by studying and working exceptionally hard, Elizabeth became the first woman to graduate from an American medical school. She continued her education in France, England & Germany, where she gained practical experience and was quick to adopt new ideas and techniques that saved lives. Her younger sister, Emily, followed in her footsteps, and together they practiced in NYC, treating women's medical problems, first in a dispensary they opened, later in a hospital they started in which they trained the next generation of female physicians. It is an impressive story. However, the presentation of so much detail about every aspect of the Blackwell sisters' lives (they seemed to write daily to their many siblings & scattered friends and relatives) was a bit overwhelming. A little less would have been better.

bad narrator

Such an interesting story but read so badly that I kept checking out and had to feel for my pulse.

Valuable History

I loved how this story linked a lot of my previous learning together. I constantly felt this woman sounded really quirky and odd and and if I had known her in real life I would not have enjoyed her. It is in keeping with many brilliant minds who change the world. If you are reading this for the medical history it is worth the time. If you are reading it for an inspirational story you might be disappointed.

Very interesting and unexpected story, suffers from dry narration

This book details the lives of Emily and Elizabeth Blackwell, pioneering women of medicine, warts and all. A wonderful and thought provoking bit of history, filled with a treasure trove of primary resources which bring the unusual characters to life.

Unfortunately, the performance of the narrator takes away somewhat from the enjoyment of the book. The dry, sometimes sarcastic tone with which the story is read gives it a flavor of something I can’t quite put my finger on, but wasn’t to the benefit of the listening experience. The physical book also contains interesting images, so I therefore suggest reading this book in print rather than listening to it.

interesting

An interesting history and biography of the first women to be awarded degrees as medical doctors. The narrator was not particularly engaging and I had to speed the narration to get through. Still, worth reading/listening.

First woman doctor’s biography

Details of the times, her feelings and 1800 medicine, including medical education for women. It also addresses the state of hygiene and how it was perceived.