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Made a Difference for That One: A Surgeon's Letters Home from Iraq
When Air Force surgeon Christopher Coppola was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he did not know what he would find in the war zone. His letters to family and friends document his experiences over four months service at a military support hospital as well as his journey home. This gritty, ground-level account of both the suffering and heroism in the faces of the injured soldiers and civilians is a testament to the heart of our shared humanity.
148 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 5, 2011
"I dressed the wound, and God healed it". Ambrose Pear. In reference to the body's amazing ability to repair with the "clumsy" help of humans.
Everywhere the ground was exploding with growth in green rows beyong the canals and mud. Life seemd to be going on, as if war was something far away which did not concern the people of Balad, and certainly didn't change the necessity of planting. It is such a gesture of hope to plant a seed. It holds inherent the belief that you will be there in the future to reap the rewards of your efforts.
Nice reminder of the ability to make some things better, even when many things you can't control. Nice reminder of the sacrifice made by our troops, willing to leave family and sacrifice their life. Also, another nice reminder of the wives and children at home who are equally strong and courageous.
Regardless of one's beliefs about war, many of the troops fighting are brave and courageous men. I enjoyed understanding more of the comraderie and experience of the .
Everywhere the ground was exploding with growth in green rows beyong the canals and mud. Life seemd to be going on, as if war was something far away which did not concern the people of Balad, and certainly didn't change the necessity of planting. It is such a gesture of hope to plant a seed. It holds inherent the belief that you will be there in the future to reap the rewards of your efforts.
Nice reminder of the ability to make some things better, even when many things you can't control. Nice reminder of the sacrifice made by our troops, willing to leave family and sacrifice their life. Also, another nice reminder of the wives and children at home who are equally strong and courageous.
Regardless of one's beliefs about war, many of the troops fighting are brave and courageous men. I enjoyed understanding more of the comraderie and experience of the .
September 26, 2009
It's no wonder this book won the 2006 EPPIE for best nonfiction e-book of the year! Chris wrote informative and touching accounts of his time in Iraq and his wife, Meredith, has compiled them into a cohesive and compelling book. Although his specialty is pediatric surgery, Chris was called upon to perform all kinds of medical procedures during his time in the war. However the most moving stories in the book are those about using his special skills to help the children of Iraq. Getting to know this remarkable man is a worthwhile and inspiring experience. Thanks to both of them for sharing it with the rest of us.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews