The letters in this volume come from the period in Florence Nightingale's life that brought her lasting fame. The letters, written amid scenes of horror and chaos, to officials, family and friends, express her hopes and fears and the doubts and frustrations of her arduous service.

Introduction -- A great and national work -- Scutari: "this gigantic desolation" -- To use and be used -- Balaclava: illness and convalescence -- The "papal aggression" -- The "confidential report" -- In General Orders -- Winding Up -- Epilogue: "I shall never forget" -- Appendix: Confidential Report on the Nursing System, since its Introduction to the Crimea on the 23rd of January 1855; and the Supplementary Report on the Nurse System, by David Fitzgerald, Purveyor to the Forces -- Bibliography -- Index.