Florence Nightingale biography?

[Hilary]

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good biography of Florence Nightingale. I browsed on Amazon and bought one called something like 'Florence Nightingale, Saint, Sinner or Rebel' (I don't think the middle word there was sinner but I can't remember what it was) but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. It wasn't really biographical, more a collection of related essays and excerpts from books.

Any suggestions?

[Hazel]

Florence Nightingale: Avenging Angel by Hugh Small

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51387E%2Bpm4L._SS500_.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5100BY67EQL._SS500_.jpg

Haven't read any of them myself, but you can have a look at them on Amazon.

[Flingo]

The second one there is one that we have in our children's libraries - not sure if it will go into enough detail for Hilary. It would make a good basic starting point though.

[Krey20]

Would be interested to hear from someone that has read a decent biography because I heard a really random fact about Florence Nightingale that I find hard to believe, but I'm assured is true.

Florence Nightingale invented the pie chart!

Would love to know if that is actually true, for once I'm not being flippant. :D

[Jen]

Florence Nightingale invented the pie chart!
Now that is an intriguing fact! I know that she did great things in regard to hygiene in hospital and proving things statistically rather than relying on anecdotal evidence, so it might just be true!

[megustaleer]

Florence Nightingale invented the pie chart!

Would love to know if that is actually true, for once I'm not being flippant. :DIt seem that you pays your money (http://www.kdnuggets.com/news/2008/n07/22i.html) and takes your choice (http://www.qi.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=35709)

[Krey20]

There's never a definitive answer in these things I guess! Oh well.

It made a better little bit of trivia when I thought it was Florence Nightingale.
Though I was a little ignorant of here analytical skills before now.
I'm sure which ever books appeal will be very interesting.

[Ophelia]

The Lytton Strachey essay on Florence Nightingale in Eminent Victorians may not be a biography in the traditional sense but it is definitely worth reading for entertainment value.