Cambodia Calling: A Memoir from the Frontlines of Humanitarian Aid

By Richard Heinzl

Book Overview

A celebrated doctor's coming of age story in Cambodia It was while in Uganda as a young and idealistic physician that Dr. Richard Heinzl finally heard his true calling: to set up a chapter of Doctors Without Borders in his native Canada. As a prerequisite to fulfilling his Medecins Sans Frontieres dream, Dr. Heinzl was sent to a war-ravaged town in Cambodia to work a year in the field. Cambodia Calling is this young doctor's harrowing personal story of setback and accomplishment in the dangerous and inhospitable environment of a remote Cambodian village. His compelling narrative details how he confronted his own illness and self-doubt, as well as the reality of treating those who could not be saved. Richard Heinzl, MD (Oakville, ON, Canada) founded the Canadian chapter of Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres), the Nobel Prize-winning humanitarian relief organization. He studied medicine at the University of Toronto, Harvard, and Oxford.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470153253
• ISBN13: 9780470153253
• Release Date: March 2008
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 259 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

learning about msf in the world

I thought the book was interesting and insightful because it showed another side of international development work. The author shows the daily grind of working in a remote, sleepy very poor village. It's not glamorous, but shows the joys and difficulties of the work. I also thought the book was well written. It moves from lyrical descriptions of the places he visits to vivid descriptions of the characters he meets. It's very funny as he writes about some of the situations he finds himself in.

Reflection on humanity and values

I bought this book and couldn't put it down. A phenomenal journey into the politics and trials of aid workers with deep insight into the day to day interactions of the people they help. Heinzl wrote a powerful book that provokes reflection on humanity and values.