I am SO happy I received a proof copy of this book, it has been the best and book I could have started the year with, as it reminds me how lucky we are to live in a nation of peace and privilege and NHS! From the first chapter I was hooked by David's prose, he has twists and turns at every corner and you are totally invested in his conviction to help - because that's all he wants to do at the end of the day: help. Sometimes I have to remember that I am not reading a fictional action thriller, because some of his accounts of run-ins with Al Quaeda and ISIS and 12 year old boys with guns sound too fantastical and scary to be true! I am honestly amazed he is still alive after some of his close shaves, like when he found a detonator in the leg wound of a woman in Syria and had to throw it out of the operating room! I find myself so engrossed that I hold my breath! This book is an absolute must, it is poignant and unforgettable and I am recommending it to everyone when I am at work

It’s pretty hard to read at times, but it’s amazing. Unlike anything I’ve ever read before, David Nott is definitely one incredible human - I think he’s insane to do the things that he does but it is so impressive. His compassion and dedication is totally inspiring and restores your faith in humanity amongst the horrors and atrocities that he’s describing. It’s pretty political too which I don’t much care for, but having said that, I have learnt a lot about current affairs that I probably ought to have already known. Some of the things he has seen break my heart and I cried more than once while reading. He’s an absolutely exceptional man (even if he is a little annoying at times - he comes across as quite arrogant sometimes but given what he’s doing, I’ll allow it) and this is definitely a book I think everyone should read.

This is the best and most moving book I’ve ever read.

This is an astounding read by a brilliant yet very humble man. You often hear people say that they they just want to make a difference but very few actually ever do preferring to use their talents to gain personal wealth. David Nott is a brilliant surgeon but wanted to go beyond and help those in greatest needs in war zone hotspots. Over a number of years Medecins sans frontieres recruited David and give him the opportunity to use his undoubted talents to help the needy in locations such as Syria, Afganistan and Chad. On many occasions his life was in grave danger but he never refused to travel and work even at a cost to his personal mental wellbeing. If you only read one book this year I urge you to read War Doctor and make the acquaintance of this truly brilliant and unassuming gifted man.

I couldn't put this down. The writing style is easy to read, and doesn't hide or attempt to downplay the raw emotions and complexities of the situations faced. It brought me to tears a number of times and at others, reminded me that the world is filled with brave, kind people willing to risk everything for others.