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 Customer Reviews
Entertaining but ..., 13 Nov 2008
Although I enjoyed around half of the entries and found them entertaining and often very touching, this book should come with a warning.... for all NHS staff who work outside of the ambulance service! While the author acknowledges that his comments are not meant to tar all NHS employees with the same brush, and definitely the shortages of staff put pressure on all, there are several occasions where doctors, nurses and midwives are made out to be rude and uncaring and often this book descends into ranting about these professional groups. While dipping in and out of a blog the odd rant is ok, I found that in a book form these frequent angry entries got in the way of the flow of an otherwise enjoyble book.
Difficult to put down........, 17 Jun 2008
As someone who is about to embark on a Paramedic-in-training programme, I bought this book with the hope that it would give me a thorough understanding of what is in front of me. It has. It's hilarious, upsetting, insightful and extremely interesting to get such an inside perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone - it's an eye opener. I can't wait to get started.
excellent, 03 Jun 2008
a real good book getting to the point of issues in the abulance service today, really got a feel of what he has to put up with.
A must have!, 24 Mar 2008
Unfortunately for me, I also finished this book in just about two days - but have now started to read Reynolds' blog, Random Acts of Reality, everyday!
This book gets you down the street level and tells you what it is like to be an EMT serving the community. I live in Los Angeles, but can easily relate to each and every story told in this book. The stories are short one or two pagers that are easy to get through and leave wanting to get to the next one.
Tom Reynolds not only conveys the passion for his job, but the utter frustration felt by the EMS commmunity worldwide when people abuse the system. From the repeat drug user on his nth overdose this month to the pregnant woman calling for an ambulance because she doesn't want to pay for a taxi to take her the 300 yards to the hospital - it's all here.
If you've ever wondered what was going on with the sirens and flashing lights down the street, read this book!
excellent excellent, 21 Feb 2008
great book. Brilliant description of working in the ambulance service. You warm to tom immediately. I read this book after reading a reccomendation for it in the book in stitche; the highs and lows of life as an A&E doctor. Both books are great - get them both
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Customer Reviews
Entertaining but ..., 13 Nov 2008
Although I enjoyed around half of the entries and found them entertaining and often very touching, this book should come with a warning.... for all NHS staff who work outside of the ambulance service! While the author acknowledges that his comments are not meant to tar all NHS employees with the same brush, and definitely the shortages of staff put pressure on all, there are several occasions where doctors, nurses and midwives are made out to be rude and uncaring and often this book descends into ranting about these professional groups. While dipping in and out of a blog the odd rant is ok, I found that in a book form these frequent angry entries got in the way of the flow of an otherwise enjoyble book.
Difficult to put down........, 17 Jun 2008
As someone who is about to embark on a Paramedic-in-training programme, I bought this book with the hope that it would give me a thorough understanding of what is in front of me. It has. It's hilarious, upsetting, insightful and extremely interesting to get such an inside perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone - it's an eye opener. I can't wait to get started.
excellent, 03 Jun 2008
a real good book getting to the point of issues in the abulance service today, really got a feel of what he has to put up with.
A must have!, 24 Mar 2008
Unfortunately for me, I also finished this book in just about two days - but have now started to read Reynolds' blog, Random Acts of Reality, everyday!
This book gets you down the street level and tells you what it is like to be an EMT serving the community. I live in Los Angeles, but can easily relate to each and every story told in this book. The stories are short one or two pagers that are easy to get through and leave wanting to get to the next one.
Tom Reynolds not only conveys the passion for his job, but the utter frustration felt by the EMS commmunity worldwide when people abuse the system. From the repeat drug user on his nth overdose this month to the pregnant woman calling for an ambulance because she doesn't want to pay for a taxi to take her the 300 yards to the hospital - it's all here.
If you've ever wondered what was going on with the sirens and flashing lights down the street, read this book!
excellent excellent, 21 Feb 2008
great book. Brilliant description of working in the ambulance service. You warm to tom immediately. I read this book after reading a reccomendation for it in the book in stitche; the highs and lows of life as an A&E doctor. Both books are great - get them both
important, but is it really a diary of a fifteen year old, 10 Jul 2008
This evil epidemic has been sweeping across our world for many decades. In South Africa alone ninety percent of the populas has it and in England and other prosperous countries it is rapidly getting out of control. Even in these countries we still are not aware of how this disease actually takes control of the body and how we can catch it.
This book tells the viewer in a friendly easy way all the ways in which you can catch, prevent, and look after HIV and AIDS.
This is all very good. Unfortunatly like a few other reviews on here i too do not buy into the whole diary based book. I believe there may well have been a "Nancy" but nothing like the one we see on the pages, the story is just to fanciful for my liking, a girl of fifteen would not talk in such a way as it is portrayed in the book.
However it is an extremely sad story about one girl's stuggle to deal with being raped by a paedophile, then finding out that you have aids. Dont know why the writer needed to do it in this way, maybe to focus the books contents to teenagers to may it easier to understand. At any rate this is a good book, not one ill be reading again. If you like this kind of book try Tory Hayden she writes in a more passionate and heart felt way
A must read for every parent and their teenage daughters, 05 Oct 2007
I could not put this book down - I read it in two days and now my 14 year old daughter is reading it. I felt as though I knew Nancy and was proud to read her diary. I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I sobbed. I cannot imagine this happening to my children and my heart goes out to Nancy's parents and friends. It is a frightening story and I was deeply shocked at how quickly Nancy became so ill, how some people kept their distance and others embraced her when they found out she had aids. I cannot recommend this read enough it is a book I will never forget.
Compulsory Reading, 08 Dec 2006
I just finished reading this and have kept it for my daughter. She is 8 but I will give it to her to read in a few years. I think this should be compulsory reading for ALL teenagers. Honest, sometimes funny but mostly heart wrenching, this is an honest account of feelings and AIDS. How easy it happens, how teenagers think they know best but don't, how it affects your life, others and other peoples perceptions of you. Could NOT put it down, BRILLIANT.
A remarkable story, 09 Aug 2006
This book was delivered to me just 24 hours ago and i have just finished it.
What an amazing account of a young girls short life. It makes you fully aware of how easy it is to become infected with HIV and AIDS and i think all teenages and there parents should read it.
Also it highlights how other people react to the virus. Some people run and others just take it in there stride.
I like the way that the book was written in a diary form which made it easy to read and easy to stop, not that i did that only to sleep !!!
I think anybody with teenages or anyone who knows someone that may be involved anyway with HIV or AIDS should read this book.
True?, 01 Sep 2005
I really looked forward to reading this book but i couldn't help thinking that it wasn't a real diary the wording just didnt convince me that Nancy was really writing a true account. It did bring home just how easy it is to get involved in something which is out of your depth and how careful as young women we have to be. But i have read other books by this author and they all use the same language when how many teenagers do you know who talk like children?
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Heart of Darfur
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £3.73
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Customer Reviews
Entertaining but ..., 13 Nov 2008
Although I enjoyed around half of the entries and found them entertaining and often very touching, this book should come with a warning.... for all NHS staff who work outside of the ambulance service! While the author acknowledges that his comments are not meant to tar all NHS employees with the same brush, and definitely the shortages of staff put pressure on all, there are several occasions where doctors, nurses and midwives are made out to be rude and uncaring and often this book descends into ranting about these professional groups. While dipping in and out of a blog the odd rant is ok, I found that in a book form these frequent angry entries got in the way of the flow of an otherwise enjoyble book.
Difficult to put down........, 17 Jun 2008
As someone who is about to embark on a Paramedic-in-training programme, I bought this book with the hope that it would give me a thorough understanding of what is in front of me. It has. It's hilarious, upsetting, insightful and extremely interesting to get such an inside perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone - it's an eye opener. I can't wait to get started.
excellent, 03 Jun 2008
a real good book getting to the point of issues in the abulance service today, really got a feel of what he has to put up with.
A must have!, 24 Mar 2008
Unfortunately for me, I also finished this book in just about two days - but have now started to read Reynolds' blog, Random Acts of Reality, everyday!
This book gets you down the street level and tells you what it is like to be an EMT serving the community. I live in Los Angeles, but can easily relate to each and every story told in this book. The stories are short one or two pagers that are easy to get through and leave wanting to get to the next one.
Tom Reynolds not only conveys the passion for his job, but the utter frustration felt by the EMS commmunity worldwide when people abuse the system. From the repeat drug user on his nth overdose this month to the pregnant woman calling for an ambulance because she doesn't want to pay for a taxi to take her the 300 yards to the hospital - it's all here.
If you've ever wondered what was going on with the sirens and flashing lights down the street, read this book!
excellent excellent, 21 Feb 2008
great book. Brilliant description of working in the ambulance service. You warm to tom immediately. I read this book after reading a reccomendation for it in the book in stitche; the highs and lows of life as an A&E doctor. Both books are great - get them both
important, but is it really a diary of a fifteen year old, 10 Jul 2008
This evil epidemic has been sweeping across our world for many decades. In South Africa alone ninety percent of the populas has it and in England and other prosperous countries it is rapidly getting out of control. Even in these countries we still are not aware of how this disease actually takes control of the body and how we can catch it.
This book tells the viewer in a friendly easy way all the ways in which you can catch, prevent, and look after HIV and AIDS.
This is all very good. Unfortunatly like a few other reviews on here i too do not buy into the whole diary based book. I believe there may well have been a "Nancy" but nothing like the one we see on the pages, the story is just to fanciful for my liking, a girl of fifteen would not talk in such a way as it is portrayed in the book.
However it is an extremely sad story about one girl's stuggle to deal with being raped by a paedophile, then finding out that you have aids. Dont know why the writer needed to do it in this way, maybe to focus the books contents to teenagers to may it easier to understand. At any rate this is a good book, not one ill be reading again. If you like this kind of book try Tory Hayden she writes in a more passionate and heart felt way
A must read for every parent and their teenage daughters, 05 Oct 2007
I could not put this book down - I read it in two days and now my 14 year old daughter is reading it. I felt as though I knew Nancy and was proud to read her diary. I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I sobbed. I cannot imagine this happening to my children and my heart goes out to Nancy's parents and friends. It is a frightening story and I was deeply shocked at how quickly Nancy became so ill, how some people kept their distance and others embraced her when they found out she had aids. I cannot recommend this read enough it is a book I will never forget.
Compulsory Reading, 08 Dec 2006
I just finished reading this and have kept it for my daughter. She is 8 but I will give it to her to read in a few years. I think this should be compulsory reading for ALL teenagers. Honest, sometimes funny but mostly heart wrenching, this is an honest account of feelings and AIDS. How easy it happens, how teenagers think they know best but don't, how it affects your life, others and other peoples perceptions of you. Could NOT put it down, BRILLIANT.
A remarkable story, 09 Aug 2006
This book was delivered to me just 24 hours ago and i have just finished it.
What an amazing account of a young girls short life. It makes you fully aware of how easy it is to become infected with HIV and AIDS and i think all teenages and there parents should read it.
Also it highlights how other people react to the virus. Some people run and others just take it in there stride.
I like the way that the book was written in a diary form which made it easy to read and easy to stop, not that i did that only to sleep !!!
I think anybody with teenages or anyone who knows someone that may be involved anyway with HIV or AIDS should read this book.
True?, 01 Sep 2005
I really looked forward to reading this book but i couldn't help thinking that it wasn't a real diary the wording just didnt convince me that Nancy was really writing a true account. It did bring home just how easy it is to get involved in something which is out of your depth and how careful as young women we have to be. But i have read other books by this author and they all use the same language when how many teenagers do you know who talk like children?
The most touching memoir I've ever read, 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a bit of a whim, but I'm so glad I did. Lisa French Blaker says at the beginning that Darfur is the best and worst she's ever seen and that certainly comes through in the many situations she comes across during her time in Darfur. From stories of unbearable suffering to tales of incredibale kindness, the book provides an excellent understanding of how the civil war affects the ordinary people of Darfur.
The utter dependency of so many displaced people on humanitarian organisations is heartbreaking, especially when these organisations all have to pull out when the situation gets too dangerous.
It is a shame this book is not higher on the Amazon popularity list as it's the kind of book you wish everyone would read in order to understand how even in this day and age such terrible atrocities are being committed and such suffering is allowed to go on. I read a lot of books, but I honestly cannot remember one which has touched me as much as this. A remarkable memoir.
About time....., 12 Jul 2008
Without doubt the most touching book I've read. This book is brilliantly written and is very honest and brutal.
This book answers the questions we've all wondered about people in poverty. It blows peoples negative comments out of the water and really reminds you that people in poverty are no different to us, they think and feel, laugh and love - just like us. Well done
I'm so glad that someone has finally written a book on such a 'taboo' subject. xx
From Radio 4 to reading the book, 07 Feb 2008
This book is being serialised on Radio 4 all this week at 9.45am (February 4 - 8) and so it is very disappointing to hear that it is not yet available to buy. It is a gripping account of an aid worker in Darfur during the fighting with the brutal Janga Weed militia, written by a doctor from New Zealand who works for Medecins Sans Frontieres. There are moving accounts in it of the treatment of children and others. It would have been good to be able to buy this book, read it and then give it to my friends who are refugees from Darfur.
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Customer Reviews
Entertaining but ..., 13 Nov 2008
Although I enjoyed around half of the entries and found them entertaining and often very touching, this book should come with a warning.... for all NHS staff who work outside of the ambulance service! While the author acknowledges that his comments are not meant to tar all NHS employees with the same brush, and definitely the shortages of staff put pressure on all, there are several occasions where doctors, nurses and midwives are made out to be rude and uncaring and often this book descends into ranting about these professional groups. While dipping in and out of a blog the odd rant is ok, I found that in a book form these frequent angry entries got in the way of the flow of an otherwise enjoyble book. Difficult to put down........, 17 Jun 2008
As someone who is about to embark on a Paramedic-in-training programme, I bought this book with the hope that it would give me a thorough understanding of what is in front of me. It has. It's hilarious, upsetting, insightful and extremely interesting to get such an inside perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone - it's an eye opener. I can't wait to get started. excellent, 03 Jun 2008
a real good book getting to the point of issues in the abulance service today, really got a feel of what he has to put up with. A must have!, 24 Mar 2008
Unfortunately for me, I also finished this book in just about two days - but have now started to read Reynolds' blog, Random Acts of Reality, everyday!
This book gets you down the street level and tells you what it is like to be an EMT serving the community. I live in Los Angeles, but can easily relate to each and every story told in this book. The stories are short one or two pagers that are easy to get through and leave wanting to get to the next one.
Tom Reynolds not only conveys the passion for his job, but the utter frustration felt by the EMS commmunity worldwide when people abuse the system. From the repeat drug user on his nth overdose this month to the pregnant woman calling for an ambulance because she doesn't want to pay for a taxi to take her the 300 yards to the hospital - it's all here.
If you've ever wondered what was going on with the sirens and flashing lights down the street, read this book! excellent excellent, 21 Feb 2008
great book. Brilliant description of working in the ambulance service. You warm to tom immediately. I read this book after reading a reccomendation for it in the book in stitche; the highs and lows of life as an A&E doctor. Both books are great - get them both important, but is it really a diary of a fifteen year old, 10 Jul 2008
This evil epidemic has been sweeping across our world for many decades. In South Africa alone ninety percent of the populas has it and in England and other prosperous countries it is rapidly getting out of control. Even in these countries we still are not aware of how this disease actually takes control of the body and how we can catch it.
This book tells the viewer in a friendly easy way all the ways in which you can catch, prevent, and look after HIV and AIDS.
This is all very good. Unfortunatly like a few other reviews on here i too do not buy into the whole diary based book. I believe there may well have been a "Nancy" but nothing like the one we see on the pages, the story is just to fanciful for my liking, a girl of fifteen would not talk in such a way as it is portrayed in the book.
However it is an extremely sad story about one girl's stuggle to deal with being raped by a paedophile, then finding out that you have aids. Dont know why the writer needed to do it in this way, maybe to focus the books contents to teenagers to may it easier to understand. At any rate this is a good book, not one ill be reading again. If you like this kind of book try Tory Hayden she writes in a more passionate and heart felt way A must read for every parent and their teenage daughters, 05 Oct 2007
I could not put this book down - I read it in two days and now my 14 year old daughter is reading it. I felt as though I knew Nancy and was proud to read her diary. I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I sobbed. I cannot imagine this happening to my children and my heart goes out to Nancy's parents and friends. It is a frightening story and I was deeply shocked at how quickly Nancy became so ill, how some people kept their distance and others embraced her when they found out she had aids. I cannot recommend this read enough it is a book I will never forget. Compulsory Reading, 08 Dec 2006
I just finished reading this and have kept it for my daughter. She is 8 but I will give it to her to read in a few years. I think this should be compulsory reading for ALL teenagers. Honest, sometimes funny but mostly heart wrenching, this is an honest account of feelings and AIDS. How easy it happens, how teenagers think they know best but don't, how it affects your life, others and other peoples perceptions of you. Could NOT put it down, BRILLIANT. A remarkable story, 09 Aug 2006
This book was delivered to me just 24 hours ago and i have just finished it.
What an amazing account of a young girls short life. It makes you fully aware of how easy it is to become infected with HIV and AIDS and i think all teenages and there parents should read it.
Also it highlights how other people react to the virus. Some people run and others just take it in there stride.
I like the way that the book was written in a diary form which made it easy to read and easy to stop, not that i did that only to sleep !!!
I think anybody with teenages or anyone who knows someone that may be involved anyway with HIV or AIDS should read this book. True?, 01 Sep 2005
I really looked forward to reading this book but i couldn't help thinking that it wasn't a real diary the wording just didnt convince me that Nancy was really writing a true account. It did bring home just how easy it is to get involved in something which is out of your depth and how careful as young women we have to be. But i have read other books by this author and they all use the same language when how many teenagers do you know who talk like children? The most touching memoir I've ever read, 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a bit of a whim, but I'm so glad I did. Lisa French Blaker says at the beginning that Darfur is the best and worst she's ever seen and that certainly comes through in the many situations she comes across during her time in Darfur. From stories of unbearable suffering to tales of incredibale kindness, the book provides an excellent understanding of how the civil war affects the ordinary people of Darfur.
The utter dependency of so many displaced people on humanitarian organisations is heartbreaking, especially when these organisations all have to pull out when the situation gets too dangerous.
It is a shame this book is not higher on the Amazon popularity list as it's the kind of book you wish everyone would read in order to understand how even in this day and age such terrible atrocities are being committed and such suffering is allowed to go on. I read a lot of books, but I honestly cannot remember one which has touched me as much as this. A remarkable memoir. About time....., 12 Jul 2008
Without doubt the most touching book I've read. This book is brilliantly written and is very honest and brutal.
This book answers the questions we've all wondered about people in poverty. It blows peoples negative comments out of the water and really reminds you that people in poverty are no different to us, they think and feel, laugh and love - just like us. Well done
I'm so glad that someone has finally written a book on such a 'taboo' subject. xx From Radio 4 to reading the book, 07 Feb 2008
This book is being serialised on Radio 4 all this week at 9.45am (February 4 - 8) and so it is very disappointing to hear that it is not yet available to buy. It is a gripping account of an aid worker in Darfur during the fighting with the brutal Janga Weed militia, written by a doctor from New Zealand who works for Medecins Sans Frontieres. There are moving accounts in it of the treatment of children and others. It would have been good to be able to buy this book, read it and then give it to my friends who are refugees from Darfur. The Real Heroes -- and a Great Read!, 02 Feb 2007
There are not many books that you pick up and don't put down until its finished but I've found one. It starts fast and stays that way, building the suspense. The TV survival shows pale in comparison to the events in this book. This is fascinating read and it certainly opened my eyes, from the politicizing of aid to dodging the bullets in a war zone. These people, the relief workers, are the real heroes. As the cover says - anybody who gives [...] dollars for a humanitarian crisis, better read this book.
Superb read., 22 Jul 2005
I'm glad there are people doing the good described in this tale. Whatever their motives, and this book certainly questions them, those of us who lay claim to the humanitarian common ground, without having to doubt the adrenaline rush or money that may drive the [paid] volunteers, can only be glad that for whatever reason they choose to do it. Thoroughly engrossing and very readable Bullet Train, 02 Jul 2005
This book reads like a bullet train from New York to Mogadishu, from heaven to hell, a pageturner if ever there was one. You get a privileged insight into the life of a reliefworker, a first hand account of the absurd madness of a godforsaken place where anarchy rules and where lives have no value. Speedboats donated by western governments to distribute relief supplies quickly turn into perfect terror tools for local warlords, who find them to be ideal to impose their will on the population, specially when mounted with a machine gun... John Burnett completely repaints the picture that I had in my mind of a relief worker. Only guts, ingenuity and a whole lotta luck will help you to get out alive of a place like this. From the comfort of your home to the nightmare of Somalia is just a book away...
A great eye-opener, 25 Jun 2005
Superbly written and very hard to put down, this book throws quite a few surprises. Burnett provides first-hand insight into the adventurous and dangerous world of those on the field who distribute humanitarian aid.
This is fascinating read and it certainly opened my eyes, from the politicizing of aid to dodging the bullets in a war zone. These people, the relief workers, are the real heroes. As the cover says - anybody who gives 20 dollars for a humanitarian crisis, better read this book.
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Moving Mountains
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
*Best price found from Amazon Marketplace seller
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*Amazon: £6.99
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Customer Reviews
Entertaining but ..., 13 Nov 2008
Although I enjoyed around half of the entries and found them entertaining and often very touching, this book should come with a warning.... for all NHS staff who work outside of the ambulance service! While the author acknowledges that his comments are not meant to tar all NHS employees with the same brush, and definitely the shortages of staff put pressure on all, there are several occasions where doctors, nurses and midwives are made out to be rude and uncaring and often this book descends into ranting about these professional groups. While dipping in and out of a blog the odd rant is ok, I found that in a book form these frequent angry entries got in the way of the flow of an otherwise enjoyble book. Difficult to put down........, 17 Jun 2008
As someone who is about to embark on a Paramedic-in-training programme, I bought this book with the hope that it would give me a thorough understanding of what is in front of me. It has. It's hilarious, upsetting, insightful and extremely interesting to get such an inside perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone - it's an eye opener. I can't wait to get started. excellent, 03 Jun 2008
a real good book getting to the point of issues in the abulance service today, really got a feel of what he has to put up with. A must have!, 24 Mar 2008
Unfortunately for me, I also finished this book in just about two days - but have now started to read Reynolds' blog, Random Acts of Reality, everyday!
This book gets you down the street level and tells you what it is like to be an EMT serving the community. I live in Los Angeles, but can easily relate to each and every story told in this book. The stories are short one or two pagers that are easy to get through and leave wanting to get to the next one.
Tom Reynolds not only conveys the passion for his job, but the utter frustration felt by the EMS commmunity worldwide when people abuse the system. From the repeat drug user on his nth overdose this month to the pregnant woman calling for an ambulance because she doesn't want to pay for a taxi to take her the 300 yards to the hospital - it's all here.
If you've ever wondered what was going on with the sirens and flashing lights down the street, read this book! excellent excellent, 21 Feb 2008
great book. Brilliant description of working in the ambulance service. You warm to tom immediately. I read this book after reading a reccomendation for it in the book in stitche; the highs and lows of life as an A&E doctor. Both books are great - get them both important, but is it really a diary of a fifteen year old, 10 Jul 2008
This evil epidemic has been sweeping across our world for many decades. In South Africa alone ninety percent of the populas has it and in England and other prosperous countries it is rapidly getting out of control. Even in these countries we still are not aware of how this disease actually takes control of the body and how we can catch it.
This book tells the viewer in a friendly easy way all the ways in which you can catch, prevent, and look after HIV and AIDS.
This is all very good. Unfortunatly like a few other reviews on here i too do not buy into the whole diary based book. I believe there may well have been a "Nancy" but nothing like the one we see on the pages, the story is just to fanciful for my liking, a girl of fifteen would not talk in such a way as it is portrayed in the book.
However it is an extremely sad story about one girl's stuggle to deal with being raped by a paedophile, then finding out that you have aids. Dont know why the writer needed to do it in this way, maybe to focus the books contents to teenagers to may it easier to understand. At any rate this is a good book, not one ill be reading again. If you like this kind of book try Tory Hayden she writes in a more passionate and heart felt way A must read for every parent and their teenage daughters, 05 Oct 2007
I could not put this book down - I read it in two days and now my 14 year old daughter is reading it. I felt as though I knew Nancy and was proud to read her diary. I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I sobbed. I cannot imagine this happening to my children and my heart goes out to Nancy's parents and friends. It is a frightening story and I was deeply shocked at how quickly Nancy became so ill, how some people kept their distance and others embraced her when they found out she had aids. I cannot recommend this read enough it is a book I will never forget. Compulsory Reading, 08 Dec 2006
I just finished reading this and have kept it for my daughter. She is 8 but I will give it to her to read in a few years. I think this should be compulsory reading for ALL teenagers. Honest, sometimes funny but mostly heart wrenching, this is an honest account of feelings and AIDS. How easy it happens, how teenagers think they know best but don't, how it affects your life, others and other peoples perceptions of you. Could NOT put it down, BRILLIANT. A remarkable story, 09 Aug 2006
This book was delivered to me just 24 hours ago and i have just finished it.
What an amazing account of a young girls short life. It makes you fully aware of how easy it is to become infected with HIV and AIDS and i think all teenages and there parents should read it.
Also it highlights how other people react to the virus. Some people run and others just take it in there stride.
I like the way that the book was written in a diary form which made it easy to read and easy to stop, not that i did that only to sleep !!!
I think anybody with teenages or anyone who knows someone that may be involved anyway with HIV or AIDS should read this book. True?, 01 Sep 2005
I really looked forward to reading this book but i couldn't help thinking that it wasn't a real diary the wording just didnt convince me that Nancy was really writing a true account. It did bring home just how easy it is to get involved in something which is out of your depth and how careful as young women we have to be. But i have read other books by this author and they all use the same language when how many teenagers do you know who talk like children? The most touching memoir I've ever read, 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a bit of a whim, but I'm so glad I did. Lisa French Blaker says at the beginning that Darfur is the best and worst she's ever seen and that certainly comes through in the many situations she comes across during her time in Darfur. From stories of unbearable suffering to tales of incredibale kindness, the book provides an excellent understanding of how the civil war affects the ordinary people of Darfur.
The utter dependency of so many displaced people on humanitarian organisations is heartbreaking, especially when these organisations all have to pull out when the situation gets too dangerous.
It is a shame this book is not higher on the Amazon popularity list as it's the kind of book you wish everyone would read in order to understand how even in this day and age such terrible atrocities are being committed and such suffering is allowed to go on. I read a lot of books, but I honestly cannot remember one which has touched me as much as this. A remarkable memoir. About time....., 12 Jul 2008
Without doubt the most touching book I've read. This book is brilliantly written and is very honest and brutal.
This book answers the questions we've all wondered about people in poverty. It blows peoples negative comments out of the water and really reminds you that people in poverty are no different to us, they think and feel, laugh and love - just like us. Well done
I'm so glad that someone has finally written a book on such a 'taboo' subject. xx From Radio 4 to reading the book, 07 Feb 2008
This book is being serialised on Radio 4 all this week at 9.45am (February 4 - 8) and so it is very disappointing to hear that it is not yet available to buy. It is a gripping account of an aid worker in Darfur during the fighting with the brutal Janga Weed militia, written by a doctor from New Zealand who works for Medecins Sans Frontieres. There are moving accounts in it of the treatment of children and others. It would have been good to be able to buy this book, read it and then give it to my friends who are refugees from Darfur. The Real Heroes -- and a Great Read!, 02 Feb 2007
There are not many books that you pick up and don't put down until its finished but I've found one. It starts fast and stays that way, building the suspense. The TV survival shows pale in comparison to the events in this book. This is fascinating read and it certainly opened my eyes, from the politicizing of aid to dodging the bullets in a war zone. These people, the relief workers, are the real heroes. As the cover says - anybody who gives [...] dollars for a humanitarian crisis, better read this book.
Superb read., 22 Jul 2005
I'm glad there are people doing the good described in this tale. Whatever their motives, and this book certainly questions them, those of us who lay claim to the humanitarian common ground, without having to doubt the adrenaline rush or money that may drive the [paid] volunteers, can only be glad that for whatever reason they choose to do it. Thoroughly engrossing and very readable Bullet Train, 02 Jul 2005
This book reads like a bullet train from New York to Mogadishu, from heaven to hell, a pageturner if ever there was one. You get a privileged insight into the life of a reliefworker, a first hand account of the absurd madness of a godforsaken place where anarchy rules and where lives have no value. Speedboats donated by western governments to distribute relief supplies quickly turn into perfect terror tools for local warlords, who find them to be ideal to impose their will on the population, specially when mounted with a machine gun... John Burnett completely repaints the picture that I had in my mind of a relief worker. Only guts, ingenuity and a whole lotta luck will help you to get out alive of a place like this. From the comfort of your home to the nightmare of Somalia is just a book away...
A great eye-opener, 25 Jun 2005
Superbly written and very hard to put down, this book throws quite a few surprises. Burnett provides first-hand insight into the adventurous and dangerous world of those on the field who distribute humanitarian aid.
This is fascinating read and it certainly opened my eyes, from the politicizing of aid to dodging the bullets in a war zone. These people, the relief workers, are the real heroes. As the cover says - anybody who gives 20 dollars for a humanitarian crisis, better read this book.
Moving autobiography, 04 Sep 2005
This is a fascinating book that starts with the author's experiences of working in the feeding stations of Ethiopia during the 1980s famine. The choices she had to make in deciding who to take in from the overwhelming mass of starving people proved almost unbearable. Her interview with Michael Buerk for BBC news brought the situation to the world's attention and led to Bob Geldof's fund raising concerts. She continued to work in a number of conflict zones with the International Red Cross and her work in Afghanistan proved particularly harrowing and dangerous. The intriguing aspect of the book is understanding what motivated and sustained her. There is undoubtedly a spritual search amongst the pages of the book and this ends in an intriguing way. Highly recommended and deserves to be on the Bestseller lists.
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Customer Reviews
Entertaining but ..., 13 Nov 2008
Although I enjoyed around half of the entries and found them entertaining and often very touching, this book should come with a warning.... for all NHS staff who work outside of the ambulance service! While the author acknowledges that his comments are not meant to tar all NHS employees with the same brush, and definitely the shortages of staff put pressure on all, there are several occasions where doctors, nurses and midwives are made out to be rude and uncaring and often this book descends into ranting about these professional groups. While dipping in and out of a blog the odd rant is ok, I found that in a book form these frequent angry entries got in the way of the flow of an otherwise enjoyble book. Difficult to put down........, 17 Jun 2008
As someone who is about to embark on a Paramedic-in-training programme, I bought this book with the hope that it would give me a thorough understanding of what is in front of me. It has. It's hilarious, upsetting, insightful and extremely interesting to get such an inside perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone - it's an eye opener. I can't wait to get started. excellent, 03 Jun 2008
a real good book getting to the point of issues in the abulance service today, really got a feel of what he has to put up with. A must have!, 24 Mar 2008
Unfortunately for me, I also finished this book in just about two days - but have now started to read Reynolds' blog, Random Acts of Reality, everyday!
This book gets you down the street level and tells you what it is like to be an EMT serving the community. I live in Los Angeles, but can easily relate to each and every story told in this book. The stories are short one or two pagers that are easy to get through and leave wanting to get to the next one.
Tom Reynolds not only conveys the passion for his job, but the utter frustration felt by the EMS commmunity worldwide when people abuse the system. From the repeat drug user on his nth overdose this month to the pregnant woman calling for an ambulance because she doesn't want to pay for a taxi to take her the 300 yards to the hospital - it's all here.
If you've ever wondered what was going on with the sirens and flashing lights down the street, read this book! excellent excellent, 21 Feb 2008
great book. Brilliant description of working in the ambulance service. You warm to tom immediately. I read this book after reading a reccomendation for it in the book in stitche; the highs and lows of life as an A&E doctor. Both books are great - get them both important, but is it really a diary of a fifteen year old, 10 Jul 2008
This evil epidemic has been sweeping across our world for many decades. In South Africa alone ninety percent of the populas has it and in England and other prosperous countries it is rapidly getting out of control. Even in these countries we still are not aware of how this disease actually takes control of the body and how we can catch it.
This book tells the viewer in a friendly easy way all the ways in which you can catch, prevent, and look after HIV and AIDS.
This is all very good. Unfortunatly like a few other reviews on here i too do not buy into the whole diary based book. I believe there may well have been a "Nancy" but nothing like the one we see on the pages, the story is just to fanciful for my liking, a girl of fifteen would not talk in such a way as it is portrayed in the book.
However it is an extremely sad story about one girl's stuggle to deal with being raped by a paedophile, then finding out that you have aids. Dont know why the writer needed to do it in this way, maybe to focus the books contents to teenagers to may it easier to understand. At any rate this is a good book, not one ill be reading again. If you like this kind of book try Tory Hayden she writes in a more passionate and heart felt way A must read for every parent and their teenage daughters, 05 Oct 2007
I could not put this book down - I read it in two days and now my 14 year old daughter is reading it. I felt as though I knew Nancy and was proud to read her diary. I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I sobbed. I cannot imagine this happening to my children and my heart goes out to Nancy's parents and friends. It is a frightening story and I was deeply shocked at how quickly Nancy became so ill, how some people kept their distance and others embraced her when they found out she had aids. I cannot recommend this read enough it is a book I will never forget. Compulsory Reading, 08 Dec 2006
I just finished reading this and have kept it for my daughter. She is 8 but I will give it to her to read in a few years. I think this should be compulsory reading for ALL teenagers. Honest, sometimes funny but mostly heart wrenching, this is an honest account of feelings and AIDS. How easy it happens, how teenagers think they know best but don't, how it affects your life, others and other peoples perceptions of you. Could NOT put it down, BRILLIANT. A remarkable story, 09 Aug 2006
This book was delivered to me just 24 hours ago and i have just finished it.
What an amazing account of a young girls short life. It makes you fully aware of how easy it is to become infected with HIV and AIDS and i think all teenages and there parents should read it.
Also it highlights how other people react to the virus. Some people run and others just take it in there stride.
I like the way that the book was written in a diary form which made it easy to read and easy to stop, not that i did that only to sleep !!!
I think anybody with teenages or anyone who knows someone that may be involved anyway with HIV or AIDS should read this book. True?, 01 Sep 2005
I really looked forward to reading this book but i couldn't help thinking that it wasn't a real diary the wording just didnt convince me that Nancy was really writing a true account. It did bring home just how easy it is to get involved in something which is out of your depth and how careful as young women we have to be. But i have read other books by this author and they all use the same language when how many teenagers do you know who talk like children? The most touching memoir I've ever read, 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a bit of a whim, but I'm so glad I did. Lisa French Blaker says at the beginning that Darfur is the best and worst she's ever seen and that certainly comes through in the many situations she comes across during her time in Darfur. From stories of unbearable suffering to tales of incredibale kindness, the book provides an excellent understanding of how the civil war affects the ordinary people of Darfur.
The utter dependency of so many displaced people on humanitarian organisations is heartbreaking, especially when these organisations all have to pull out when the situation gets too dangerous.
It is a shame this book is not higher on the Amazon popularity list as it's the kind of book you wish everyone would read in order to understand how even in this day and age such terrible atrocities are being committed and such suffering is allowed to go on. I read a lot of books, but I honestly cannot remember one which has touched me as much as this. A remarkable memoir. About time....., 12 Jul 2008
Without doubt the most touching book I've read. This book is brilliantly written and is very honest and brutal.
This book answers the questions we've all wondered about people in poverty. It blows peoples negative comments out of the water and really reminds you that people in poverty are no different to us, they think and feel, laugh and love - just like us. Well done
I'm so glad that someone has finally written a book on such a 'taboo' subject. xx From Radio 4 to reading the book, 07 Feb 2008
This book is being serialised on Radio 4 all this week at 9.45am (February 4 - 8) and so it is very disappointing to hear that it is not yet available to buy. It is a gripping account of an aid worker in Darfur during the fighting with the brutal Janga Weed militia, written by a doctor from New Zealand who works for Medecins Sans Frontieres. There are moving accounts in it of the treatment of children and others. It would have been good to be able to buy this book, read it and then give it to my friends who are refugees from Darfur. The Real Heroes -- and a Great Read!, 02 Feb 2007
There are not many books that you pick up and don't put down until its finished but I've found one. It starts fast and stays that way, building the suspense. The TV survival shows pale in comparison to the events in this book. This is fascinating read and it certainly opened my eyes, from the politicizing of aid to dodging the bullets in a war zone. These people, the relief workers, are the real heroes. As the cover says - anybody who gives [...] dollars for a humanitarian crisis, better read this book.
Superb read., 22 Jul 2005
I'm glad there are people doing the good described in this tale. Whatever their motives, and this book certainly questions them, those of us who lay claim to the humanitarian common ground, without having to doubt the adrenaline rush or money that may drive the [paid] volunteers, can only be glad that for whatever reason they choose to do it. Thoroughly engrossing and very readable Bullet Train, 02 Jul 2005
This book reads like a bullet train from New York to Mogadishu, from heaven to hell, a pageturner if ever there was one. You get a privileged insight into the life of a reliefworker, a first hand account of the absurd madness of a godforsaken place where anarchy rules and where lives have no value. Speedboats donated by western governments to distribute relief supplies quickly turn into perfect terror tools for local warlords, who find them to be ideal to impose their will on the population, specially when mounted with a machine gun... John Burnett completely repaints the picture that I had in my mind of a relief worker. Only guts, ingenuity and a whole lotta luck will help you to get out alive of a place like this. From the comfort of your home to the nightmare of Somalia is just a book away...
A great eye-opener, 25 Jun 2005
Superbly written and very hard to put down, this book throws quite a few surprises. Burnett provides first-hand insight into the adventurous and dangerous world of those on the field who distribute humanitarian aid.
This is fascinating read and it certainly opened my eyes, from the politicizing of aid to dodging the bullets in a war zone. These people, the relief workers, are the real heroes. As the cover says - anybody who gives 20 dollars for a humanitarian crisis, better read this book.
Moving autobiography, 04 Sep 2005
This is a fascinating book that starts with the author's experiences of working in the feeding stations of Ethiopia during the 1980s famine. The choices she had to make in deciding who to take in from the overwhelming mass of starving people proved almost unbearable. Her interview with Michael Buerk for BBC news brought the situation to the world's attention and led to Bob Geldof's fund raising concerts. She continued to work in a number of conflict zones with the International Red Cross and her work in Afghanistan proved particularly harrowing and dangerous. The intriguing aspect of the book is understanding what motivated and sustained her. There is undoubtedly a spritual search amongst the pages of the book and this ends in an intriguing way. Highly recommended and deserves to be on the Bestseller lists.
After Midnight, 09 Mar 2007
I loved this book. Midnight Express is without a doubt, my favorite movie of all time! It was rivitting when I fist saw it as a twelve year old, and still is! I wanted to know what happened with his life after his award winning performance. His wife's book is wonderful! I could not put it down! It is so sad and tragic, but it is also philosophical. It is a must read!
Oh so poignant ..., 16 May 2006
Like many people I only knew of Brad Davis through "Midnight Express" and assumed he had disappeared from the movie scene after that film. I recalled reading somewhere that he had died of AIDS but knew no more. This account of his flawed life is utterly superb - even though one knows the denouement from the very first page. His wife has painted a truly moving picture of a guy whose life seemed doomed from the very beginning - he was abused as a child and came from a thoroughly dysfunctional family. This is beyond doubt one of the most poignant accounts of living with an obsessive man whose excesses could only lead to one thing in 1980s Hollywood.
a book to make you think, 04 Dec 2000
Up until about a year ago I'd never heard of Brad Davis. I'm a film buff, but usually of old time Hollywood stars such as Errol Flynn and Montgomery Clift. Then I saw a T.V. movie set during World War II about a German general who sacrificed himself to destroy Hitler. I was intrigued by the rather dashing young man who played this part and looked out for his name in the credits. Brad Davis. No. Didn't know who he was. I'm a regular purchaser of books from Amazon and after I'd investigated my film studio books and seen that Brad had appeared in a few other films I clicked on 'search' for Brad Davis. The only thing that came up surprisingly was a book about Hollywood Gays in Conversations, but as there was no review and it didn't sound my cup of tea, I didn't buy it. Then a couple of weeks ago I searched again and found a biography of Brad Davis. The reviews looked good, so I got it. Reading the book was very upsetting but also uplifting. Here was a man who had many problems in his life but he'd sorted himself out only to be struck down by the terrible illness of A .I.D.S. Everytime I read the letter Brad wrote to his daughter to be read after his death, I cry. It's so touching and full of love and honesty. Last week Channel 5 showed Midnight Express the film in which Brad became a star. Seeing the film just brought home what a tragic loss his early death was. He played the part of Billy Hayes brilliantly, maybe because he could so well identify with the character, but also for the sheer fact that he was a very talented and charismatic actor. It's such a shame he didn't fulfill his early promise, but ultimately he was at peace with himself and ready to die on his own terms. I found the book fascinating and moving. The only criticism I have is that I feel Susan Bluestein Davis (his widow) tends to push herself forward at times, when I would rather have learnt more about Brad's life, especially his childhood.
Annoyed, 17 Jun 1999
I wanted to read this book because of the impact of 'Midnight Express" and was curious as to why he then had such a sparse career. Now I know. His tragically short life is sad, as it is for anyone...but I couldn't get past being annoyed by how careless he was with the people in his life and careless about his career. He was good, then he seemed to blow it with bad behavior. I know there are reasons for it, but I could only feel sorry to a point. A lot of my annoyance was the "name dropping"..Susan's reference to would-be stars "then" and informing us as to who they have become... as if we the public would not know. I have the feeling she wanted some vindication for what she went through, some acknowledgement for her perseverence...and some legacy of value for her husband. Who can blame her. So many people have died of AIDS, so many horrific stories of ordinary people who never had a voice. I guess I get annoyed that people look to Hollywood for their heroes!
Highly Recommended!, 20 Feb 1999
A very courageous book! No whining, no blaming, a painfully honest book.
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Hope: A Story of Triumph
Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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*Amazon: £5.00
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Customer Reviews
Entertaining but ..., 13 Nov 2008
Although I enjoyed around half of the entries and found them entertaining and often very touching, this book should come with a warning.... for all NHS staff who work outside of the ambulance service! While the author acknowledges that his comments are not meant to tar all NHS employees with the same brush, and definitely the shortages of staff put pressure on all, there are several occasions where doctors, nurses and midwives are made out to be rude and uncaring and often this book descends into ranting about these professional groups. While dipping in and out of a blog the odd rant is ok, I found that in a book form these frequent angry entries got in the way of the flow of an otherwise enjoyble book. Difficult to put down........, 17 Jun 2008
As someone who is about to embark on a Paramedic-in-training programme, I bought this book with the hope that it would give me a thorough understanding of what is in front of me. It has. It's hilarious, upsetting, insightful and extremely interesting to get such an inside perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone - it's an eye opener. I can't wait to get started. excellent, 03 Jun 2008
a real good book getting to the point of issues in the abulance service today, really got a feel of what he has to put up with. A must have!, 24 Mar 2008
Unfortunately for me, I also finished this book in just about two days - but have now started to read Reynolds' blog, Random Acts of Reality, everyday!
This book gets you down the street level and tells you what it is like to be an EMT serving the community. I live in Los Angeles, but can easily relate to each and every story told in this book. The stories are short one or two pagers that are easy to get through and leave wanting to get to the next one.
Tom Reynolds not only conveys the passion for his job, but the utter frustration felt by the EMS commmunity worldwide when people abuse the system. From the repeat drug user on his nth overdose this month to the pregnant woman calling for an ambulance because she doesn't want to pay for a taxi to take her the 300 yards to the hospital - it's all here.
If you've ever wondered what was going on with the sirens and flashing lights down the street, read this book! excellent excellent, 21 Feb 2008
great book. Brilliant description of working in the ambulance service. You warm to tom immediately. I read this book after reading a reccomendation for it in the book in stitche; the highs and lows of life as an A&E doctor. Both books are great - get them both important, but is it really a diary of a fifteen year old, 10 Jul 2008
This evil epidemic has been sweeping across our world for many decades. In South Africa alone ninety percent of the populas has it and in England and other prosperous countries it is rapidly getting out of control. Even in these countries we still are not aware of how this disease actually takes control of the body and how we can catch it.
This book tells the viewer in a friendly easy way all the ways in which you can catch, prevent, and look after HIV and AIDS.
This is all very good. Unfortunatly like a few other reviews on here i too do not buy into the whole diary based book. I believe there may well have been a "Nancy" but nothing like the one we see on the pages, the story is just to fanciful for my liking, a girl of fifteen would not talk in such a way as it is portrayed in the book.
However it is an extremely sad story about one girl's stuggle to deal with being raped by a paedophile, then finding out that you have aids. Dont know why the writer needed to do it in this way, maybe to focus the books contents to teenagers to may it easier to understand. At any rate this is a good book, not one ill be reading again. If you like this kind of book try Tory Hayden she writes in a more passionate and heart felt way A must read for every parent and their teenage daughters, 05 Oct 2007
I could not put this book down - I read it in two days and now my 14 year old daughter is reading it. I felt as though I knew Nancy and was proud to read her diary. I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I sobbed. I cannot imagine this happening to my children and my heart goes out to Nancy's parents and friends. It is a frightening story and I was deeply shocked at how quickly Nancy became so ill, how some people kept their distance and others embraced her when they found out she had aids. I cannot recommend this read enough it is a book I will never forget. Compulsory Reading, 08 Dec 2006
I just finished reading this and have kept it for my daughter. She is 8 but I will give it to her to read in a few years. I think this should be compulsory reading for ALL teenagers. Honest, sometimes funny but mostly heart wrenching, this is an honest account of feelings and AIDS. How easy it happens, how teenagers think they know best but don't, how it affects your life, others and other peoples perceptions of you. Could NOT put it down, BRILLIANT. A remarkable story, 09 Aug 2006
This book was delivered to me just 24 hours ago and i have just finished it.
What an amazing account of a young girls short life. It makes you fully aware of how easy it is to become infected with HIV and AIDS and i think all teenages and there parents should read it.
Also it highlights how other people react to the virus. Some people run and others just take it in there stride.
I like the way that the book was written in a diary form which made it easy to read and easy to stop, not that i did that only to sleep !!!
I think anybody with teenages or anyone who knows someone that may be involved anyway with HIV or AIDS should read this book. True?, 01 Sep 2005
I really looked forward to reading this book but i couldn't help thinking that it wasn't a real diary the wording just didnt convince me that Nancy was really writing a true account. It did bring home just how easy it is to get involved in something which is out of your depth and how careful as young women we have to be. But i have read other books by this author and they all use the same language when how many teenagers do you know who talk like children? The most touching memoir I've ever read, 02 Aug 2008
I bought this book on a bit of a whim, but I'm so glad I did. Lisa French Blaker says at the beginning that Darfur is the best and worst she's ever seen and that certainly comes through in the many situations she comes across during her time in Darfur. From stories of unbearable suffering to tales of incredibale kindness, the book provides an excellent understanding of how the civil war affects the ordinary people of Darfur.
The utter dependency of so many displaced people on humanitarian organisations is heartbreaking, especially when these organisations all have to pull out when the situation gets too dangerous.
It is a shame this book is not higher on the Amazon popularity list as it's the kind of book you wish everyone would read in order to understand how even in this day and age such terrible atrocities are being committed and such suffering is allowed to go on. I read a lot of books, but I honestly cannot remember one which has touched me as much as this. A remarkable memoir. About time....., 12 Jul 2008
Without doubt the most touching book I've read. This book is brilliantly written and is very honest and brutal.
This book answers the questions we've all wondered about people in poverty. It blows peoples negative comments out of the water and really reminds you that people in poverty are no different to us, they think and feel, laugh and love - just like us. Well done
I'm so glad that someone has finally written a book on such a 'taboo' subject. xx From Radio 4 to reading the book, 07 Feb 2008
This book is being serialised on Radio 4 all this week at 9.45am (February 4 - 8) and so it is very disappointing to hear that it is not yet available to buy. It is a gripping account of an aid worker in Darfur during the fighting with the brutal Janga Weed militia, written by a doctor from New Zealand who works for Medecins Sans Frontieres. There are moving accounts in it of the treatment of children and others. It would have been good to be able to buy this book, read it and then give it to my friends who are refugees from Darfur. The Real Heroes -- and a Great Read!, 02 Feb 2007
There are not many books that you pick up and don't put down until its finished but I've found one. It starts fast and stays that way, building the suspense. The TV survival shows pale in comparison to the events in this book. This is fascinating read and it certainly opened my eyes, from the politicizing of aid to dodging the bullets in a war zone. These people, the relief workers, are the real heroes. As the cover says - anybody who gives [...] dollars for a humanitarian crisis, better read this book.
Superb read., 22 Jul 2005
I'm glad there are people doing the good described in this tale. Whatever their motives, and this book certainly questions them, those of us who lay claim to the humanitarian common ground, without having to doubt the adrenaline rush or money that may drive the [paid] volunteers, can only be glad that for whatever reason they choose to do it. Thoroughly engrossing and very readable Bullet Train, 02 Jul 2005
This book reads like a bullet train from New York to Mogadishu, from heaven to hell, a pageturner if ever there was one. You get a privileged insight into the life of a reliefworker, a first hand account of the absurd madness of a godforsaken place where anarchy rules and where lives have no value. Speedboats donated by western governments to distribute relief supplies quickly turn into perfect terror tools for local warlords, who find them to be ideal to impose their will on the population, specially when mounted with a machine gun... John Burnett completely repaints the picture that I had in my mind of a relief worker. Only guts, ingenuity and a whole lotta luck will help you to get out alive of a place like this. From the comfort of your home to the nightmare of Somalia is just a book away...
A great eye-opener, 25 Jun 2005
Superbly written and very hard to put down, this book throws quite a few surprises. Burnett provides first-hand insight into the adventurous and dangerous world of those on the field who distribute humanitarian aid.
This is fascinating read and it certainly opened my eyes, from the politicizing of aid to dodging the bullets in a war zone. These people, the relief workers, are the real heroes. As the cover says - anybody who gives 20 dollars for a humanitarian crisis, better read this book.
Moving autobiography, 04 Sep 2005
This is a fascinating book that starts with the author's experiences of working in the feeding stations of Ethiopia during the 1980s famine. The choices she had to make in deciding who to take in from the overwhelming mass of starving people proved almost unbearable. Her interview with Michael Buerk for BBC news brought the situation to the world's attention and led to Bob Geldof's fund raising concerts. She continued to work in a number of conflict zones with the International Red Cross and her work in Afghanistan proved particularly harrowing and dangerous. The intriguing aspect of the book is understanding what motivated and sustained her. There is undoubtedly a spritual search amongst the pages of the book and this ends in an intriguing way. Highly recommended and deserves to be on the Bestseller lists.
After Midnight, 09 Mar 2007
I loved this book. Midnight Express is without a doubt, my favorite movie of all time! It was rivitting when I fist saw it as a twelve year old, and still is! I wanted to know what happened with his life after his award winning performance. His wife's book is wonderful! I could not put it down! It is so sad and tragic, but it is also philosophical. It is a must read!
Oh so poignant ..., 16 May 2006
Like many people I only knew of Brad Davis through "Midnight Express" and assumed he had disappeared from the movie scene after that film. I recalled reading somewhere that he had died of AIDS but knew no more. This account of his flawed life is utterly superb - even though one knows the denouement from the very first page. His wife has painted a truly moving picture of a guy whose life seemed doomed from the very beginning - he was abused as a child and came from a thoroughly dysfunctional family. This is beyond doubt one of the most poignant accounts of living with an obsessive man whose excesses could only lead to one thing in 1980s Hollywood.
a book to make you think, 04 Dec 2000
Up until about a year ago I'd never heard of Brad Davis. I'm a film buff, but usually of old time Hollywood stars such as Errol Flynn and Montgomery Clift. Then I saw a T.V. movie set during World War II about a German general who sacrificed himself to destroy Hitler. I was intrigued by the rather dashing young man who played this part and looked out for his name in the credits. Brad Davis. No. Didn't know who he was. I'm a regular purchaser of books from Amazon and after I'd investigated my film studio books and seen that Brad had appeared in a few other films I clicked on 'search' for Brad Davis. The only thing that came up surprisingly was a book about Hollywood Gays in Conversations, but as there was no review and it didn't sound my cup of tea, I didn't buy it. Then a couple of weeks ago I searched again and found a biography of Brad Davis. The reviews looked good, so I got it. Reading the book was very upsetting but also uplifting. Here was a man who had many problems in his life but he'd sorted himself out only to be struck down by the terrible illness of A .I.D.S. Everytime I read the letter Brad wrote to his daughter to be read after his death, I cry. It's so touching and full of love and honesty. Last week Channel 5 showed Midnight Express the film in which Brad became a star. Seeing the film just brought home what a tragic loss his early death was. He played the part of Billy Hayes brilliantly, maybe because he could so well identify with the character, but also for the sheer fact that he was a very talented and charismatic actor. It's such a shame he didn't fulfill his early promise, but ultimately he was at peace with himself and ready to die on his own terms. I found the book fascinating and moving. The only criticism I have is that I feel Susan Bluestein Davis (his widow) tends to push herself forward at times, when I would rather have learnt more about Brad's life, especially his childhood.
Annoyed, 17 Jun 1999
I wanted to read this book because of the impact of 'Midnight Express" and was curious as to why he then had such a sparse career. Now I know. His tragically short life is sad, as it is for anyone...but I couldn't get past being annoyed by how careless he was with the people in his life and careless about his career. He was good, then he seemed to blow it with bad behavior. I know there are reasons for it, but I could only feel sorry to a point. A lot of my annoyance was the "name dropping"..Susan's reference to would-be stars "then" and informing us as to who they have become... as if we the public would not know. I have the feeling she wanted some vindication for what she went through, some acknowledgement for her perseverence...and some legacy of value for her husband. Who can blame her. So many people have died of AIDS, so many horrific stories of ordinary people who never had a voice. I guess I get annoyed that people look to Hollywood for their heroes!
Highly Recommended!, 20 Feb 1999
A very courageous book! No whining, no blaming, a painfully honest book.
Shamanism and dream power, 04 Oct 2003
This book relates the author’s 30+ years of interaction with guides in the mystical world of the Toltec and Maya and discusses the power of the healing energies that may be applied in healing and transforming the world. A meeting with the writer William Burroughs was the catalyst for a journey to Mexico. Here she was taught by Don Juan Matus, the same shaman that mentored Carlos Castaneda as documented in his best selling books. After the initial apprenticeship with Matus she spent 12 years as a linguist and teacher before returning to the world of Toltec/Maya esotericism after an AIDS diagnosis. Her story makes interesting reading. The epilogue contains a novel view on four different categories of illness, the methods of discerning these and the proper treatments. This is a great book on shamanism, dream power, sorcery and healing that will definitely appeal to fans of the author Castaneda.
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Customer Reviews
Entertaining but ..., 13 Nov 2008
Although I enjoyed around half of the entries and found them entertaining and often very touching, this book should come with a warning.... for all NHS staff who work outside of the ambulance service! While the author acknowledges that his comments are not meant to tar all NHS employees with the same brush, and definitely the shortages of staff put pressure on all, there are several occasions where doctors, nurses and midwives are made out to be rude and uncaring and often this book descends into ranting about these professional groups. While dipping in and out of a blog the odd rant is ok, I found that in a book form these frequent angry entries got in the way of the flow of an otherwise enjoyble book.
Difficult to put down........, 17 Jun 2008
As someone who is about to embark on a Paramedic-in-training programme, I bought this book with the hope that it would give me a thorough understanding of what is in front of me. It has. It's hilarious, upsetting, insightful and extremely interesting to get such an inside perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone - it's an eye opener. I can't wait to get started.
excellent, 03 Jun 2008
a real good book getting to the point of issues in the abulance service today, really got a feel of what he has to put up with.
A must have!, 24 Mar 2008
Unfortunately for me, I also finished this book in just about two days - but have now started to read Reynolds' blog, Random Acts of Reality, everyday!
This book gets you down the street level and tells you what it is like to be an EMT serving the community. I live in Los Angeles, but can easily relate to each and every story told in this book. The stories are short one or two pagers that are easy to get through and leave wanting to get to the next one.
Tom Reynolds not only conveys the passion for his job, but the utter frustration felt by the EMS commmunity worldwide when people abuse the system. From the repeat drug user on his nth overdose this month to the pregnant woman calling for an ambulance because she doesn't want to pay for a taxi to take her the 300 yards to the hospital - it's all here.
If you've ever wondered what was going on with the sirens and flashing lights down the street, read this book!
excellent excellent, 21 Feb 2008
great book. Brilliant description of working in the ambulance service. You warm to tom immediately. I read this book after reading a reccomendation for it in the book in stitche; the highs and lows of life as an A&E doctor. Both books are great - get them both
important, but is it really a diary of a fifteen year old, 10 Jul 2008
This evil epidemic has been sweeping across our world for many decades. In South Africa alone ninety percent of the populas has it and in England and other prosperous countries it is rapidly getting out of control. Even in these countries we still are not aware of how this disease actually takes control of the body and how we can catch it.
This book tells the viewer in a friendly easy way all the ways in which you can catch, prevent, and look after HIV and AIDS.
This is all very good. Unfortunatly like a few other reviews on here i too do not buy into the whole diary based book. I believe there may well have been a "Nancy" but nothing like the one we see on the pages, the story is just to fanciful for my liking, a girl of fifteen would not talk in such a way as it is portrayed in the book.
However it is an extremely sad story about one girl's stuggle to deal with being raped by a paedophile, then finding out that you have aids. Dont know why the writer needed to do it in this way, maybe to focus the books contents to teenagers to may it easier to understand. At any rate this is a good book, not one ill be reading again. If you like this kind of book try Tory Hayde | | |