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Meets Expectations:
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Displaying items 1-5 of 29
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  1. lcjohnson1988
    Indiana
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    April 1, 2014
    lcjohnson1988
    Indiana
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Dorothea Dix had a difficult childhood. She was poor, hungry and at a young age in charge of the care of her younger brother, Charles. Her mother was not lucid much of the time and spent her time lying in bed. Her father drank away any money they might have and beat his children with a switch when they didn't work hard enough. She was unloved and very lonely, which shaped her life. Dorothea walked 40 miles at the age of 12 to beg her grandmother to let Dorothea and Charles live with her. Her grandmother turned her away. After a few years, however, Dorothea's grandmother sent a wagon to bring Dorothea only to live with her.

    During her time with her grandmother, who wanted Dorothea to marry in order to provide for her future, Dorothea had other plans. She struggled to fit in, to be female and not lose that identity in a male dominated society. She spoke her mind too much instead of being quiet. She felt God had called her to be a teacher. She soon taught morning, afternoons and evenings. She opened a school for indigent children to learn so they might have better opportunities in life. After a long illness during a journey to England, Dorothea began to think maybe teaching was not to be her glorious ambition to serve God. She had thought her teaching a way to instill godly morals and values for spiritual well-being as well as teach skills to better earthly lives. She develops a close friendship with another single lady and soon considers her the sister she never had. However, when tragedy strikes her friend, their relationship dissolves, leaving Dorothea feeling even more alone and bereft than she thought possible. She also tries to adopt her cousin's young daughter, but again is rejected. Her heart broken, Dorothea throws herself into her work and publishes her writings. Even amidst this rejection, she doesn't turn from God or searching for the one ultimate way she is meant to serve Him. She stumbles upon her purpose when asked to teach a Sunday School class at the jail for incarcerated women. Next door is where the mentally disabled people were housed. After touring the house, Dorothea is appalled at the living conditions and petitions the local authority to have this corrected immediately. Thus begins her tireless campaign for the rights of the mentally ill, their living conditions as well as their treatment.

    This is a very interesting and informative fictional account of the life of a real historical person. Such passion and devotion to a cause and to her faith are truly inspiring. Dorothea's call to aid "even the least of these" guided her adult life, making her famous, but also opening doors to meet those in a position to help her crusade. This one woman through her generosity and tireless work made a huge difference in the lives of so many. This just shows what God can do through one person who is willing to answer when He calls.
  2. Douglas
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    One Glorious Ambition: The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix
    February 18, 2016
    Douglas
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Excellent treatment of the beginnings of modern treatment for the mentally ill. I would recommend this book to everyone.
  3. ACS Book Finder
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Compassion for the mentally ill
    January 21, 2014
    ACS Book Finder
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This is a excellent book and I enjoyed it very much. Dorothea Dix was a woman full of compassion and saw it as her God-given mission to help those struggling with mental illness. If you are from North Carolina, you might think this book is specifically about the birth of Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh. It is not. It tells of Dorothea's steadfast drive and passion to help as many as possible dealing with mental health illness across the country in the late mid to late 1800's — a time certainly when most were just called lunatics. She was instrumental in legislation and construction of facilities to house the mentally ill. Dorothea Dix was a crusader in this area of health care.

    This is the first book that I've read written by Jane Kirkpatrick. Mrs. Kirkpatrick is also a former mental health counselor and administrator for those struggling with mental health illness. I believe this is also why the book was so good because she is writing about something that she has exposure to and is compassionate about herself. A good write and a very good read and I found myself "googling" Dorothea Dix and reading more about her — a wonderful Christian woman and a great advocate for those struggling with mental illness! (rev. P.Howard)

    DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.
  4. Pegg Thomas
    Ossineke, MI
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    An incredible Woman of History
    June 6, 2018
    Pegg Thomas
    Ossineke, MI
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 0
    Value: 0
    Meets Expectations: 0
    I love Jane Kirkpatrick's books. They always bring history to life. It's not always neat and tidy. It's not always pretty. It's real history and real life ... in all its messiness.

    This one threw me a curve. I've read about Dorothea Dix in numerous places over the years. Her work with the nurses during the Civil War was nothing short of legendary. When I saw her name on the cover, I snatched up this book!

    What I didn't expect, but was delighted to discover, is that the book starts when she is little more than a child and ends before the Civil War. I had *no idea* that Miss Dix's life's passion was to bring humane treatment to the insane, the feeble-minded, and those suffering other mental traumas. Wow. It's an incredible story of persistence, sacrifice, and living for a mission. Well worth reading.
  5. Mary
    Michigan
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Jane Kirkpatrick is the best!
    October 30, 2013
    Mary
    Michigan
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Although I'm not done with this book, I'm thrilled with Jane's writing and can't seem to get enough. I've already recommended this book to another Jane Kirkpatrick fan. Jane does her background work extremely well and I trust her interpretations. Dorothea Dix was an amazing woman and she did a great work in the name of God. Everyone, it seems, can relate to the subject of insanity. We might all know someone who suffers in some degree and it is wonderful to know that someone gave their life to helping "the least of these".
Displaying items 1-5 of 29
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