Montell presents the stories of Kentucky nurses through the voices of the nurses themselves.
~Deborah Reed, Distinguished Service Professor and Good Samaritan Endowed Chair of Nursing at the University of Kentucky
Tales from Kentucky Nurses fits well with the other Tales from series of books William Lynwood Montell has so admirably compiled for the University Press of Kentucky.
~Mary Hamilton, author of Kentucky Folktales
I had difficulty putting it aside when it was way past my normal bedtime. Several times I would tell myself 'just one more story' only to realize later an hour had passed since I made that commitment. Like his other forays into the various occupations indigenous to this part of the country, Tales from Kentucky Nurses has a mesmerizing quality. Montell is a master of this form of storytelling. His prose is focused intently on conveying meaning on multiple levels, and his literary style is ideally suited for a wide audience.
~Bowling Green Daily News
Montell's collection of oral histories is invaluable in preserving the history of the Commonwealth, by reporting on the medical problems endured by Kentuckians with little access to medical care, and telling the stories of the heroic nurses who dedicated their lives to providing care.
~Kentucky Libraries
This book will be useful to many: historians, educators, medical professionals, and other scholars. But it will also be useful to those who simply love to read, regardless of their profession, and to those who do not want to forget the past.
~Journal of Folklore Research
Montell showcases a wide range of experiences, from the unpredictable environment of the emergency room, to the joys and difficulties of childbirth and the sometimes confounding misbehavior of patients. Other tales focus on the more humorous aspects of life as a nurse, including the story of moonshine-laced coffee, which caused one exhausted nurse to fall asleep while riding her horse home late at night.
~Kentucky Living
The stories span the gamut from tragedy to comedy, revealing the diverse emotions evoked by the practice of nursing. In his commentary and from the stories he chose for inclusion the author reveals his respect and admiration for nurses and the difficult and necessary work they perform.
~West Virginia History
For those seeking a glimpse into the lives of nurses, many of whom led courageous lives of service and who demonstrated a profound commitment to the nursing ethic of care, this book will offer a compelling read. Their stories reveal some of the tensions and challenges and the myriad ways nurses have tried to meet them, and we can be grateful to Montell for gathering them.
~Oral History Review
