Ellen Newbold La Motte (1873–1961) was a pioneering American nurse, journalist, and author who made her mark during World War I. In 1915, she bravely volunteered as one of the first American war nurses in Europe, serving in a French field hospital in Belgium. There, she meticulously documented the harrowing realities of war in a candid diary, revealing the grim and often darkly humorous experiences of wounded soldiers. Cynthia Wachtell, a research associate professor of American studies at Yeshiva University, delved into La Mottes life and her powerful war writings. Her explosive book, The Backwash of War, captures the unsettling tales of resilience and suffering witnessed by La Motte, making her story a vital part of American history. (New York Times 22 May 2020)