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197th out of 857 books
—
1,226 voters
The Hospital by the River: A Story of Hope
When gynecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin left their home in Australia for Ethiopia, they never dreamed that they would establish what has been heralded as one of the most incredible medical programs in the modern world. But more than forty years later, the couple has operated on more than 20,000 women, most of whom suffer from obstetric fistula, a debilitating childbirt...more
Paperback, 308 pages
Published
March 3rd 2005
by Monarch Books
(first published October 1st 2004)
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I took this book with me on my first trip to Ethiopia. Part biography, part history, and all courageous, life-changing, strength. This is the story of Drs. Catherine and Reg Hamlin, and the hospital they built along the banks of a river in Ethiopia. Newly married, these two Australian doctors decided to pick up and relocated to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
They arrived in the twilight years of Emperor Haile Selassie's reign, first working in a general hospital in the city. But they quickly found their...more
They arrived in the twilight years of Emperor Haile Selassie's reign, first working in a general hospital in the city. But they quickly found their...more
Let me get this part out of the way first - this was not a well-written book. Unfortunately. It could have been so much better. So much more could have been added into it. And I wish it had.
This book is about the fistula hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The one that Abraham Verghese based the fistula department at Missing Hospital on in his book. How do I know this? I read the acknowledgements at the end of "Cutting For Stone" and he mentioned this book.
The story follows Reg and Catherine Ha...more
This book is about the fistula hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The one that Abraham Verghese based the fistula department at Missing Hospital on in his book. How do I know this? I read the acknowledgements at the end of "Cutting For Stone" and he mentioned this book.
The story follows Reg and Catherine Ha...more
After seeing the movie "A Walk to Beautiful" I was inspired to know more about Dr. Hamlin and her fistula hospital in Ethiopia. This lead me to read this book. Co-written by John Little it is a little rough in places but the story makes up for the writing. It is even in some places as less so in others. It would appear that Little worked to cobble together some of the stories Hamlin told him as best he could and very little here is not an important part of the story of this couple's devotion.
Dr....more
Dr....more
Awe inspiring. This is an autobiography that has changed my outlook on life and made me look both inwards and ponder the larger questions in life.
Dr Catherine Hamlin has dedicated her life to restoring dignity to women who have bourne more shame, pain and injustice than most of us can contemplate.
Her writing style is not close to being as engaging as her story is. She tells it simply, just as it is. Her life work is in Ethiopia, healing fistula patients, women who are incontinent of urine and f...more
Dr Catherine Hamlin has dedicated her life to restoring dignity to women who have bourne more shame, pain and injustice than most of us can contemplate.
Her writing style is not close to being as engaging as her story is. She tells it simply, just as it is. Her life work is in Ethiopia, healing fistula patients, women who are incontinent of urine and f...more
this book is AMAZING.
it's the story of two incredibly compassionate australian doctors--reg and catherine hamlin--who give up their comfortable lives to move to ethiopia and establish a hospital for fistula patients. if you dont know what a fistula is, here's the basic version: it's a tear that occurs in the bladder and or rectum during prolong obstructed labors causing women to lose urinary/bowel continence and basically leak urine and feces all the time. what's even worse is that often they a...more
it's the story of two incredibly compassionate australian doctors--reg and catherine hamlin--who give up their comfortable lives to move to ethiopia and establish a hospital for fistula patients. if you dont know what a fistula is, here's the basic version: it's a tear that occurs in the bladder and or rectum during prolong obstructed labors causing women to lose urinary/bowel continence and basically leak urine and feces all the time. what's even worse is that often they a...more
A MUST READ FOR ALL.
“Hospital by the River” is a memoir that details the lives of gynecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin, and their work treating fistula patients in Ethiopia. It is a story full of heartbreak and miracles, Catherine's love for her patients shines through, showing itself in the way in which she so often goes the extra mile.
Their dedication and sacrifices left me in awe and wonder. Sometimes I was carried away by the sad condition of the many poor women described in this book. Th...more
“Hospital by the River” is a memoir that details the lives of gynecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin, and their work treating fistula patients in Ethiopia. It is a story full of heartbreak and miracles, Catherine's love for her patients shines through, showing itself in the way in which she so often goes the extra mile.
Their dedication and sacrifices left me in awe and wonder. Sometimes I was carried away by the sad condition of the many poor women described in this book. Th...more
This book takes place in the town of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Catherine and her husband , Reg, go to Ethiopia on a short term project to establish a midwifery school and end up dedicating their lives to very young women who suffer unspeakable injuries during childbirth. I learned some history of the area and I came to respect and care about the Hamlins, their mission, and their patients. A documentary to watch only after reading the book is A Walk To Beautiful where you will see Catherine, who is...more
Catherine Hamlin is an inspirational woman.Her work has saved thousands of lives, and made life worth living for thousands of women.
Unfortunately, she doesn't bring the same skill and inspiration to her writing as she does to her medical work. Her magnificent story is told in a flat, uninteresting way, more of a straight narrative of facts.
Normally, this would be a big negative for me, but I felt that the work Dr Hamlin was describing, and its impact on the lives of the women she was working wit...more
Unfortunately, she doesn't bring the same skill and inspiration to her writing as she does to her medical work. Her magnificent story is told in a flat, uninteresting way, more of a straight narrative of facts.
Normally, this would be a big negative for me, but I felt that the work Dr Hamlin was describing, and its impact on the lives of the women she was working wit...more
This has been on my TBR pile since seeing the hospital on Oprah.
The writing was very simplistic, but it was interesting to see the type of work they did, how they tried to learn new techniques and the different phases Ethiopia was going through. But it was clouded by religion, everything was prefenced by god's word and saving souls - at times it made me cringe, becuase for me it took away from what good they were doing - what was the added need to then convert these women?
Overall an interesting...more
The writing was very simplistic, but it was interesting to see the type of work they did, how they tried to learn new techniques and the different phases Ethiopia was going through. But it was clouded by religion, everything was prefenced by god's word and saving souls - at times it made me cringe, becuase for me it took away from what good they were doing - what was the added need to then convert these women?
Overall an interesting...more
First of all, this is a story of a very good work for God and for women's health. Secondly, I learned a lot about the history of Ethiopia. Thirdly, it was quite badly written.
I read this book because the Hospital is mentioned in "Half the Sky" and seemed worth learning more about, and also because I've been interested in Ethiopia lately. The stories of the fistula patients, the fascinating medical discoveries, and the faithful lives of both Doctors Hamlin were well worth reading. I even enjoyed...more
I read this book because the Hospital is mentioned in "Half the Sky" and seemed worth learning more about, and also because I've been interested in Ethiopia lately. The stories of the fistula patients, the fascinating medical discoveries, and the faithful lives of both Doctors Hamlin were well worth reading. I even enjoyed...more
What I love about this book is its story of transformation. It is only near the end of the book that Catherine Hamlin refers to the fistula patients as butterflies emerging from the chrysalis, but the stories from beginning to end are each as beautiful as the other. Hopelessness transformed into hope. Sadness to joy. Shame to dignity. Tears to beaming smiles. Rags to dresses. It is simply breathtaking. The same story over and over, and yet poignant every time with each new individual patient.
W...more
W...more
As we prepare to bring home two little ones from Ethiopia, I am reading everything I can get my hands on about their home country. I first watched the video Walk to Beautiful and was so moved that I had to order the memoir to read the whole story.
Dr. Hamlin writes simply but with much detail and poignancy. I have been shocked to learn about the plight of the fistula pilgrims... a widespread problem that I knew nothing about. The stories of the fistula-stricken women will break your heart, but th...more
Dr. Hamlin writes simply but with much detail and poignancy. I have been shocked to learn about the plight of the fistula pilgrims... a widespread problem that I knew nothing about. The stories of the fistula-stricken women will break your heart, but th...more
An amazing true story of two obstetricians who go to Ethiopia to work for a couple of years and end up staying for the rest of their lives. They find a way to correct obstetric fistula, a horrible complication of childbirth that doesn't exist in the developed world. I've visited the hospital and met the author. She's a lovely, inspiring woman. I loved her book
It is great to read about someone who is so selfless and dedicated to helping others. I had no idea what a fistula was until recently, and to read the terrible injuries that young girls in Africa can suffer as a result of child birth is both horrifying and astonishing. People like Catherine Hamlin and her husband Reg can make the rest of us feel a bit inadequate - but at the same time, they restore your faith in humanity.
A simply written but compelling story of a woman and her husband who dedicated their lives to serving women in Ethiopia. Women who had terrible maternal injuries from being too far from medical help when delivering babies and the subsequent damage to them and how they are ostracized from their families and villages. How they come to the fistula hospital and in a lot of cases are given a new life by surgery that repairs the damage.
It's pretty amazing to think of just picking up the family sticks and moving everyone to Ethiopia... I can't quite contemplate the notion myself, but I can certainly admire Catherine Hamlin for doing so. It's a brave and wonderful story of hope and life, and despite all the evangelical momens, i quite enjoyed it.
Read this a while ago but thought to post now. A truly inspiring true story about a couple from Austrailia who started the hospital in Ehtiopia to serve the women of the country (an eventually beyond) who were affected by fistula. The book "Cutting For Stone" is closely modeled after this book. A good read.
An amazing story. I was even lucky enough to meet Dr Hamlin when I visited Ethiopia with friends. We went to the hospital and meet this incredible woman. This is a story you will never forget. More people need to know this story and keep it in mind when we think about our own situations.
so i can honestly say this is one of those books that you will read and never forget. i think it may have changed my life and definitely my perspective on the world that we live in. this book moved me to tears as i learned what so many ethiopian women endure just because they don't have access to simple medical facilities that seem so simple to us. I recommend this book especially to women. i promise you will be both touched and challenged by the story of catherine hamlin, a gynacologist mission...more
Update: the religious factor wasnt too obnoxious after all. The royalist and sometimes anti-American sentiments were though.
Anyway this woman and her husband have sone some amazing things for the women of Ethiopia so politics and religion aside, it's worth a read. Its well written and gives a picture of the country that is very human.
The super nice Ethiopian woman who cleans for me lent me this. I did like Cutting For Stone a lot (it was based on this). I know it will be way too religious for my...more
Anyway this woman and her husband have sone some amazing things for the women of Ethiopia so politics and religion aside, it's worth a read. Its well written and gives a picture of the country that is very human.
The super nice Ethiopian woman who cleans for me lent me this. I did like Cutting For Stone a lot (it was based on this). I know it will be way too religious for my...more
5 stars for the amazing work done by the Hamlins . Minus 3 points for patronizing writing style.... Rather read Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. (Verghese mentions this book as a reference. ) although fiction, medical facts accurate and beautifully written.
My friend Michele left this at my house. One day when I was stranded on the couch nursing Watson I picked this up and couldn't put it down. It's the true story of two OB's who go to Africa and devote their lives to helping fistula patients. These are women who have had an obstructed labor, usually their baby dies, and only then can it be pushed (or pulled) out. The prolonged pressure from the baby on the woman's bladder and/or rectum causes tissue damage leaving the woman with a hole that consta...more
Feb 19, 2008
Ruth
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone with a heart
Recommended to Ruth by:
Oprah Winfrey Show
This is utterly compelling stuff. A true story of an amazing couple who show no end to their selflessness. Helping some of the incredibly poor and unfortunate woman of Ethiopia the author and her husband (both renowned gynaecologists) vie against the odds of the Ethiopian Government; even during civil war; to open a Woman's Hospital in which to treat and rehabilitate victims of fistula. Some of her stories broke my heart whilst others made me smile :-). Hard to believe that this is still happeni...more
Fabulous book. Dr. Catherine Hamlin writes of her and her husbands life purpose.....to help fistula patients in Ethiopia. What good people. Their work and goals are so pure, to restore lives and give purpose to over 35,000 women that experienced obstructed and difficult labor some as young as 13 years. I would encourage you to read this book.
An inspirational story about a couple that help what seems to be helpless women throughout their lives together. Some of the stories though were repeated over and over, I suppose to support the idea of how much their help was needed.
I am beyond impressed with the work of Catherine Hamlin and her late husband and was excited to read this book to learn more about the changes that the Hamlins brought to Ethiopia. This was mostly an interesting story of their experiences surrounding their medical practices, but I was not interested in their religious beliefs or about their social affairs which lasted for many, many pages. I wanted to read more about the medical happenings of their clinics and less about who wore what to a fancy...more
This book makes you realise how lucky we are and how much more useful we could all make our lives.
This couple are an inspiration and this book is the relay of 2 peoples ordinary lives helping others.
This couple are an inspiration and this book is the relay of 2 peoples ordinary lives helping others.
I came away from this book feeling ashamed of all of my complaining about my petty little problems, and the way I cling to my small,selfish life. I can't imagine the kind of suffering so many women go through, and I can't imagine giving up my whole life to help others like that. The Hamlins were truly an amazing couple--they loved the work they did and they loved the women they helped. This is what true Christianity looks like.
Well meaning book bout an Aussie couple, both gynacologists, who work for decades in Ethopia establishing a fistula hospital for women. I'm sure that they are great people, but their take on religion - hmm.
This was an easy read and read by everybody in the bookclub. Those who do not like memoirs found it a bit staid and boring but if you enjoy a memoir this book makes for interesting reading.
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Aug 17, 2009 10:38am