{"product_id":"in-search-of-mary-seacole","title":"In Search of Mary Seacole","description":"\u003cb\u003e'An astonishingly rich story... \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cb\u003ewonderfully informative' \u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 'Rappaport does a terrific job of bringing respectful rigour to her account of Seacole's extraordinary life' \u003ci\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn Search of Mary Seacole\u003c\/i\u003e is a superb and revealing biography that explores her remarkable achievements and unique status as an icon of the 19th century, but also corrects some of the myths that have grown around her life and career.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Having been raised in \u003cb\u003eJamaica\u003c\/b\u003e and worked in Panama, \u003cb\u003eMary Seacole\u003c\/b\u003e came to England in the 1850s and volunteered to help out during the \u003cb\u003eCrimean War\u003c\/b\u003e. When her services were turned down, she financed her own expedition to \u003cb\u003eBalaclava\u003c\/b\u003e, where she earned her reputation as a nurse and for her compassion. Popularly known as ‘Mother Seacole’, she was the most famous Black celebrity of her generation – an extraordinary achievement in \u003cb\u003eVictorian Britain\u003c\/b\u003e. She regularly mixed with illustrious royal and military patrons and they, along with grateful war veterans, helped her recover financially when she faced bankruptcy. However, after her death in 1881, she was largely forgotten for many years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e More recently, her profile has been revived and her reputation lionised, with a statue of her standing outside St Thomas's Hospital in London and her portrait – rediscovered by the author – is now on display in the National Portrait Gallery. \u003ci\u003eIn Search of Mary Seacole\u003c\/i\u003e is the fruit of almost \u003cb\u003etwenty years of research\u003c\/b\u003e by Helen Rappaport into her story. \u003cb\u003eThe book reveals the truth about Seacole's personal life and her 'rivalry' with Florence Nightingale, along with much more besides. Often the reality proves to be even more remarkable and dramatic than the legend.\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54256323723608,"sku":"9781398504455","price":17.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/1295\/4195\/files\/9781398504455.jpg?v=1778648459","url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/in-search-of-mary-seacole","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}