Silent in an Evil Time: The Brave War of Edith Cavell by Jack Batten is a straight forward, factual account of Nurse Edith Cavells’ life and her death in front of an execution squad of German soldiers during World War I. I had heard of her and knew that streets, parks and mountains had been named after her but I didn’t quite know how this all came about. This book describes how, as a Matron of a Belgium hospital, she helped to save the lives of hundreds Allied soldiers. She was involved in a secret organization that assisted soldiers who found themselves trapped behind enemy lines. Although her work put her in terrible personal danger, she gave the soldiers shelter, helped to disguise them, and assisted in finding them a safe route across the border to neutral Holland.

In October of 1915, the Germans rounded up a number of people who were helping Allied soldiers to escape and Edith Cavell was one of them. Her fate became one of the turning points in the war, after world wide revulsion was directed at Germany for her execution, the Kaiser declared that no other woman would be shot unless under his direct orders. This decree actually saved three other women that had worked in the same organization from the firing squad. Her death also brought a surge of recruits who wanted to avenge this execution.

Although the author has delivered a concise, well researched and highly readable account of the life of Edith Cavell, I never quite felt that I learned much about the inner woman. She was a very private person and certainly had no desire to be famous, yet truly deserves to be remembered as a great heroine. Among her last words were her reassurances to her family that she felt her soul was safe and at peace, and that she was glad to die for her country. ( )

An easy to read account of Edith Cavell's brave work helping English soldiers escape German capture. Filled with pictures, this book is sure to grab YA readers. Some graphic and violent content.