History 21 The Podcast - 2.01 Flora Aldrich's "The One Man"
We remember Flora Aldrich as a doctor practicing in the early 1900s who saw patients out of her stately home on 3rd Ave., So, Anoka. In that role she published two medical books and provided countless recommendations on healthy living. What history often forgets is her single novel, “the one man “. In this podcast you can get a taste of Flora’s attempt at creative writing, then commiserate with hosts Sara and Daryl about just how bad we think it is. Warning, in discussing the books themes we ignore all spoilers!
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Daryl Lawrence, ACHS Board Member.
Albert Kordiak at his desk.
Dr. Flora Aldrich
1859-1921
The newly married Flora (Southard) Aldrich (1859-1921) arrived in Anoka in 1884 as the 21-year-old bride of 28-year-old Dr. Alanson Aldrich, seemingly to all the world an educated woman from a privileged and proper East Coast family. It didn’t take long for the community to understand Flora’s ambitions for herself outside the traditional role of women at the time — working alongside her husband in his medical practice, as his equal in a partnership of service to the community. Alanson not only allowed it, but encouraged her to achieve a medical education at the University of Minnesota, where she graduated in 1887.
In addition to seeing patients at her practice in her home Colonial Hall at 1900 Third Ave S. in Anoka, Aldrich published three books.
The Boudoir Companion: A Twentieth Century Book for Mothers and Nurses. Published 1901.
In this book Aldrich gives advice regarding pregnancy, and infant care as well as how to set up your bedroom (boudoir) for childbirth.
My Child and I, in Sickness and Health, from Pre-natal Life Until Sixteen. Published 1903.
A guide to navigating the illnesses that affect children with advice on treatment and prevention.
The One Man. Published 1910.
The only novel Aldrich published, The One Man follows a young woman, Margaret, as she marries for wealth and the moral struggles that arise from that choice including the evils of divorce, alcohol, and unearned wealth.
Anoka County Library Minute
Further Reading:
If you can’t get enough of late 1800s medical fiction with a hint of romance, this might be a great series for you. In this first of the eight-book series, readers are introduced to protagonist, Cheney Duvall, recent graduate from a prestigious medical school struggling to find work as a female physician in a post-Civil War era and male-dominated field. Fans of other historical Christian fiction writers like Kim Vogel Sawyer, Tracie Peterson or Tamera Alexander might also enjoy these books.
While Aldrich was a pioneer in her own right, it could be argued that the Blackwell sisters, Elizabeth and Emily, helped open the doors for Aldrich, and others. In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in America to receive a medical degree. This book recounts the lives of the sisters and their tenacity in overturning societal expectations.
Letter to a Young Female Physician: notes from a medical life by Suzanne Koven (921 KOV)
In this medical memoir published just this year, Dr. Suzanne Koven recounts the ups and downs she’s faced not only as a female physician but as a female physician at the intersection of also being a mother, wife, daughter, person. The book stems from an essay she published in 2017 in which she diagnosed herself with “imposter syndrome,” the term often given to those who feel a lack of belonging or competence despite evidence to the contrary. While Koven talks about many aspects of being a female physician, gender inequality in the field is a thread woven throughout.
This is a great book for those interested in the episode’s particular topic, but also for history buffs in general as you get a side of Civil War history as well. While much of the focus of the book is on war-related injury and treatments thereof, the book also highlights the experiences of female nurses at the time, as well as the general evolution of the field of medicine.
Told in a two-page spread, pictorial timeline, this book chronologically advances the reader through the various medical advances made throughout history, literally from witch doctors at about 10,000 B.C. to human cloning in 2008. Key players in the discoveries are named at the top of the page leading into a short summary of the topic. This is a great resource for someone curious about the various milestones, but not looking for a long, narrative-style book.
Medicine: the definitive illustrated history by Steve Parker (610.9 PAR)
This illustrated book is another great guide for those who might want to meander their way through medical history. Readers can learn about medicine in ancient times leading up to Aldrich’s time, the 19th century, in the section entitled “Science takes charge 1800-1900”. The pictorial format allows the reader to either read through chronologically, or wander through the timeline as they please.
Dawn of the century, 1900-1910 by Time-Life Books (973.911 DAW)
For those readers wanting to just get a sense of the times, check out Dawn of the Century, 1900-1910, a Time-Life book. Aldrich wrote all 3 of her books, including The One Man, in the early 1900s. Read and see what was going on in America during those years.
Now to resources on writing books…
If you, too, aspire to write fiction (or anything for that matter), this book can help you reach your goal to getting your first book deal. Maum guides the reader in practical ways while managing to remain unpretentious. She offers realistic advice, and maintains a sense of humor and humility along the way.
How to Write Best-Selling Fiction by James Scott Bell (DVD 808.02 HOW)
For the aspiring writer who prefers some audio/visual assistance, this is a great alternative. Just pop the discs in your DVD player and absorb the wisdom of best-selling author of thriller fiction, James Scott Bell. For decades now, The Great Courses series has offered audio/visual courses on numerous topics, which are distributed by The Teaching Company. This particular set also includes a companion booklet.
MNWrites MNReads is an electronic resource for both writers and readers. There are 3 modules – create, share, and read. If you are an aspiring author, you can either upload your existing work or create it from scratch in the Create module. Using software called Pressbooks, you can format your content for ebook publication. Then, once your ebook is ready, you can share it in the Share module, which uploads it via Indie Author Project, making it available in a statewide online collection. It will be reviewed and then included in the Read module. There’s even a chance your shared ebook could be included in a nationally available database. Library Journal reviewers select several submissions to be included in this national collection. So, if you are interested in publishing your book via MNWrites MNReads, navigate to the Anoka County Library page, that’s anokacountylibrary.org. Click the menu option called Books & More and click MNWrites MNReads. You’ll see the 3 Modules and more information on each one.