An autobiography of Mary Seacole, who started life in Jamaica, journeyed to Panama at the time of the gold rush, and nursed the wounded in the Crimean War. Starting this book I was a bit worried that it would be a worthy read but a bit dull, but Mrs Seacole is an entertaining narrator. There are definitely bits that are of its time, e.g. Mrs Seacole calls her servant Jew Jonny, and also many points where she is racially discriminated against herself. It's also horrendous to read about her treating patients with mercury. But in Victorian times for a lone woman to accomplish what she did was even more amazing, and I'm in awe of her adventurous spirit.