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Christian Heroes: Then & Now #38
Paul Brand: Helping Hands
"Watching his father perform medical procedures back in India had convinced Paul that medicine was about blood and guts and ulcers. To his amazement, he found that it was really about causes and cures, alleviating pain, and treating ill people with dignity."
The son of missionary parents, Paul Brand did not plan on becoming a doctor. After training as a builder, he was called by God into medicine and spent a lifetime treating leprosy and restoring hope to thousands of sufferers.
Dr. Paul Brand became the first surgeon in the world to use reconstructive surgery to correct the deformities of leprosy in the hands and feet. He strove to eliminate the stigma of the disease and rebuild the lives of those destroyed by it. A humble, brilliant servant, he influenced faith and medical communities around the world, reminding us that all people are created in the image of God.
The son of missionary parents, Paul Brand did not plan on becoming a doctor. After training as a builder, he was called by God into medicine and spent a lifetime treating leprosy and restoring hope to thousands of sufferers.
Dr. Paul Brand became the first surgeon in the world to use reconstructive surgery to correct the deformities of leprosy in the hands and feet. He strove to eliminate the stigma of the disease and rebuild the lives of those destroyed by it. A humble, brilliant servant, he influenced faith and medical communities around the world, reminding us that all people are created in the image of God.
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2011
About the author
Janet Benge
147 books329 followersJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 30, 2025
The pioneer for helping persons with leprosy regain use of their hands and feet with surgery and physical therapy. He took a special interest when he observed an isolation facility and discovered there was no medical research anywhere about what caused their hands and feet to curl up, go numb, and lose fingers and toes. He started from scratch and became the leading authority in the world in the early 1950s and spread his knowledge.
April 26, 2016
Paul Brand had an amazing life story, and while this book didn't go in great detail, it gave you enough to get a good sense of what his life was like. It made me very interested to read a longer book on him.
July 1, 2019
One feature we’ve used frequently in our new-to-us van is the AUX port on our radio. We’ve spent hours listening to stories together over the years, and Mom has done an excellent job training all of us to enjoy the sport. So when we take long trips, it’s fun to plug a phone into the port and listen to a biography to pass the time. Our most recent listen was Paul Brand: Helping Hands, and that turned out to be quite an intriguing story!
Missionary stories have probably been some of my most favorite biographies since I was quite little. Paul Brand’s story is a very recent one, so that made it even more special. I’m also quite interested in medical missions and the whole idea of physical and spiritual help going hand-in-hand in work, so seeing how that played out in this book was good, too.
Paul was born as a missionary’s son in northern India and watched his father, a doctor, deal with quite a few different sick people as he grew up. Some of the operations were pretty awful, and he quickly decided he would never be a doctor! Even so, the Indian people grabbed his heart, and he knew he’d want to end up being a missionary like his father when he grew up. Fast forward a couple of years, and Paul realized he actually was fascinated by how the human body worked. He entered medical school, graduated, went on to become a surgeon, and finally answered his calling in India several years down the road. From there, he came to learn of the severity of the leprosy disease, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I think the part of Paul Brand’s story that I enjoyed the most was when he discovered his life’s calling—finding ways to help people with leprosy. I found it fascinating and sad to hear how the disease affected people, and all the different things Paul had to go through in order to find answers. It definitely wasn’t an easy road, but it was definitely worth the work! I was challenged by his commitment to pushing through to find answers even when others thought it was a waste of time. I also appreciated hearing about the history of the disease, how it used to be viewed in the past—even by health professionals!—and how it’s viewed now. The few snapshots we got of his personal life were also good.
This is a great biography of a man who gave his talents to the Lord and was used to help many others as a result. I know I learned a lot—not just about his work, but about the disease he worked with in general—and really enjoyed this story. I didn’t think it was written quite as well as some other Benge books in the same series (it seemed like the writing style was a bit more on the informative side than written as a story), but it is still a valuable overview if you’re wanting to know about Paul Brand. Recommended!
Missionary stories have probably been some of my most favorite biographies since I was quite little. Paul Brand’s story is a very recent one, so that made it even more special. I’m also quite interested in medical missions and the whole idea of physical and spiritual help going hand-in-hand in work, so seeing how that played out in this book was good, too.
Paul was born as a missionary’s son in northern India and watched his father, a doctor, deal with quite a few different sick people as he grew up. Some of the operations were pretty awful, and he quickly decided he would never be a doctor! Even so, the Indian people grabbed his heart, and he knew he’d want to end up being a missionary like his father when he grew up. Fast forward a couple of years, and Paul realized he actually was fascinated by how the human body worked. He entered medical school, graduated, went on to become a surgeon, and finally answered his calling in India several years down the road. From there, he came to learn of the severity of the leprosy disease, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I think the part of Paul Brand’s story that I enjoyed the most was when he discovered his life’s calling—finding ways to help people with leprosy. I found it fascinating and sad to hear how the disease affected people, and all the different things Paul had to go through in order to find answers. It definitely wasn’t an easy road, but it was definitely worth the work! I was challenged by his commitment to pushing through to find answers even when others thought it was a waste of time. I also appreciated hearing about the history of the disease, how it used to be viewed in the past—even by health professionals!—and how it’s viewed now. The few snapshots we got of his personal life were also good.
This is a great biography of a man who gave his talents to the Lord and was used to help many others as a result. I know I learned a lot—not just about his work, but about the disease he worked with in general—and really enjoyed this story. I didn’t think it was written quite as well as some other Benge books in the same series (it seemed like the writing style was a bit more on the informative side than written as a story), but it is still a valuable overview if you’re wanting to know about Paul Brand. Recommended!
December 14, 2024
It was a simple but convicting read.
August 20, 2026
Another encouraging reading of a humble, but godly man who used his skills to be the hands of Jesus. What struck me as interesting about Paul's story specifically is that he wasn't a missionary like most others covered in these books. He want to serve first, rather than evangelize. I'm sure he did both on occasion, but he primary mission was to practically love and serve the least in the world.
It reminds me of Matthew 25:34-46: "34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
It reminds me of Matthew 25:34-46: "34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
September 11, 2026
Descriptors that come to mind for Dr. Paul Brand—
Unflagging, Curious, Compassionate, Innovative.
Cheerleader, Rescuer, Hero.
Dr. Brand’s story is going to be running through my mind for a long time. His untiring work with Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) patients in both India and America restored people’s physical functionality and helped them return to their families and to meaningful work.
He wasn’t just a doctor: he taught others to work with Hansen’s patients in surgery, research, and rehabilitation; he researched doggedly to find the answer why the disease debilitated patients and how they could be healed; he designed shoes for them and helped them find work and removed stigma about the disease so they could reincorporate into society. His hands lifted up “the least of these” and pointed them to a greater Savior.
History tidbits touched on: growing up on the Indian mission field; medical training during The Blitz; women in the medical field; racism in the American South.
If you’re at all interested in leprosy, medical history, medical missions, or just reading about a man who dedicated his life to helping others, you will love his story. I can’t wait to dig in to his actual writings on the body from a Christian medical perspective.
Disclaimers: sections of this book have some ick (he’s a doctor in a third world country), but it’s not gratuitous. Also, this particular biography is written for children, so the storytelling often lacks subtlety.
Unflagging, Curious, Compassionate, Innovative.
Cheerleader, Rescuer, Hero.
Dr. Brand’s story is going to be running through my mind for a long time. His untiring work with Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) patients in both India and America restored people’s physical functionality and helped them return to their families and to meaningful work.
He wasn’t just a doctor: he taught others to work with Hansen’s patients in surgery, research, and rehabilitation; he researched doggedly to find the answer why the disease debilitated patients and how they could be healed; he designed shoes for them and helped them find work and removed stigma about the disease so they could reincorporate into society. His hands lifted up “the least of these” and pointed them to a greater Savior.
History tidbits touched on: growing up on the Indian mission field; medical training during The Blitz; women in the medical field; racism in the American South.
If you’re at all interested in leprosy, medical history, medical missions, or just reading about a man who dedicated his life to helping others, you will love his story. I can’t wait to dig in to his actual writings on the body from a Christian medical perspective.
Disclaimers: sections of this book have some ick (he’s a doctor in a third world country), but it’s not gratuitous. Also, this particular biography is written for children, so the storytelling often lacks subtlety.
November 27, 2023
I'm not sure why I've never heard of Paul Brand before - but SO glad I was introduced to him in this fantastic book!
Paul's parents are from England, but medical missionaries in India. Paul goes home to England at age 9 - and spends his schooling years there. While in medical school, he meets Margaret. They both become doctors and are married and become missionaries in India.
Paul does revolutionary surgeries on lepers - when most won't go near them. He makes many discoveries about how they lose fingers and toes and how to prevent this from happening. He travels the world to teach what he's learning and eventually helps the diabetic community with the same issues that happen in leprosy!
Near the end of his life he partnered with Philip Yancey to publish several books. They are now on my "to read" list!!
I loved how his small acts of faithfulness impacted the most needy people in the world, and eventually impacted the entire medical community with his practice and research.
Paul's parents are from England, but medical missionaries in India. Paul goes home to England at age 9 - and spends his schooling years there. While in medical school, he meets Margaret. They both become doctors and are married and become missionaries in India.
Paul does revolutionary surgeries on lepers - when most won't go near them. He makes many discoveries about how they lose fingers and toes and how to prevent this from happening. He travels the world to teach what he's learning and eventually helps the diabetic community with the same issues that happen in leprosy!
Near the end of his life he partnered with Philip Yancey to publish several books. They are now on my "to read" list!!
I loved how his small acts of faithfulness impacted the most needy people in the world, and eventually impacted the entire medical community with his practice and research.
January 24, 2026
India
Biography
Missionary Doctor
Dr. Brand single-handedly took Leprosy from an Untouchable Curse to a Disease — no more or less than any other disease — worth researching and treating.
He problem-solved by surgery, having patients adopt cats so rats didn’t eat their body parts (that couldn’t feel pain) while they slept, and advocated so business owners made Leprosy-only factories so people with Leprosy could do meaningful work and support themselves.
Dislike: why are we talking about racism in 1960’s America? Why is American slavery a thing in this book? Why is the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr. a talking point?
Racism is 100% horrible, evil, and wrong.
It is, was, always will be 100% horrible, evil, and wrong.
Duh.
Duh, racism is evil.
Why are we ranting about how (valid) evil America is when this is about an Englishman in India!?!? who only temporarily visits America.
Biography
Missionary Doctor
Dr. Brand single-handedly took Leprosy from an Untouchable Curse to a Disease — no more or less than any other disease — worth researching and treating.
He problem-solved by surgery, having patients adopt cats so rats didn’t eat their body parts (that couldn’t feel pain) while they slept, and advocated so business owners made Leprosy-only factories so people with Leprosy could do meaningful work and support themselves.
Dislike: why are we talking about racism in 1960’s America? Why is American slavery a thing in this book? Why is the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr. a talking point?
Racism is 100% horrible, evil, and wrong.
It is, was, always will be 100% horrible, evil, and wrong.
Duh.
Duh, racism is evil.
Why are we ranting about how (valid) evil America is when this is about an Englishman in India!?!? who only temporarily visits America.
June 5, 2020
While this is a missionary book, Janet Benge focused much less on his missionary work and much more on Brand's medical work. Brand was a hand specialist, and when another missionary in India brought him to see some lepers, he didn't understand how he could do anything. . .until he saw their hands and saw missing fingers and other issues.
This sparked a life's work for Brand who sought to understand the intricacies of leprosy and to help people who are afflicted with hand and foot surgeries as well as jobs and communities. I really enjoyed the medical aspect of this book as well as learning about a disease I had previously only heard of but didn't know much about.
This sparked a life's work for Brand who sought to understand the intricacies of leprosy and to help people who are afflicted with hand and foot surgeries as well as jobs and communities. I really enjoyed the medical aspect of this book as well as learning about a disease I had previously only heard of but didn't know much about.
October 31, 2024
3 stars [Biography]
(W 2.74 | T 3.01 | P 3.34)
Exact rating: 3.03
A medical missions story, but the innovation of Dr. Brand was so diverse and exemplary that this book would be of general secular use as well. Brand became a world-expert on leprosy, had enough of a construction background to design one of the first leper rehabilitation centers, pioneered hand surgery starting in the 1940s, experimented with the design and rubber-ratio of therapeutic shoes, and commissioned socks with special chemicals to analyze the pressure exerted while humans walk.
This impels me to read more about Paul Brand in the future.
(W 2.74 | T 3.01 | P 3.34)
Exact rating: 3.03
A medical missions story, but the innovation of Dr. Brand was so diverse and exemplary that this book would be of general secular use as well. Brand became a world-expert on leprosy, had enough of a construction background to design one of the first leper rehabilitation centers, pioneered hand surgery starting in the 1940s, experimented with the design and rubber-ratio of therapeutic shoes, and commissioned socks with special chemicals to analyze the pressure exerted while humans walk.
This impels me to read more about Paul Brand in the future.
November 20, 2024
I happened upon this book by accident - when I can’t sleep, I download a random book and listen to it. Usually, I fall asleep shortly after starting the book, so in a way, I’m disappointed when the book I pick is interesting, thereby making me stay awake to listen! This was the case with Paul Brand. I knew nothing about it and thought I was listening to a fictional story. At some point, I realized that this was about a real man with a real wife, a real family, and a real and extraordinary career. He and his wife, Margaret, sound like they were incredible, Godly people, and I loved learning about their lives.
May 3, 2026
3.5⭐ This was...fine but a little on the boring side? Is that okay to say about a missionary book? There were plenty of gruesome descriptions of leprosy 😅 but not much in actual happenings... Sounds like Paul Brand (who I had never heard of before this book, so maybe that's the problem) did some wonderful things in India for the medical community, understating it.
But in this one, I felt like Christianity oddly took a back seat most of the time. Jesus wasn't mentioned much, and much of the focus was on Paul's medical prowess.
I'd still let my son read it, but it wasn't one of my favorites. Nothing particularly wrong, just...okay. But maybe the problem is me.
But in this one, I felt like Christianity oddly took a back seat most of the time. Jesus wasn't mentioned much, and much of the focus was on Paul's medical prowess.
I'd still let my son read it, but it wasn't one of my favorites. Nothing particularly wrong, just...okay. But maybe the problem is me.
February 4, 2020
There is a chapter that includes details about an autopsy and that made me sick. Overall, this was an enjoyable, inspiring and informative book. I learned so much about leprosy and it was wonderful to see how much Brand accomplished to help people. He was a great example of focused study and determination.
January 23, 2026
Born 1914 in India. Went to school in England. Doctor to lepers in India. Married a fellow doctor and had 6 children. Died 2003 in Seattle, Wa.
There are some repellent medical descriptions and more of a focus on scientific discoveries than acts of faith, but his love for God was undeniable as he humbly devoted his life to serving others.
There are some repellent medical descriptions and more of a focus on scientific discoveries than acts of faith, but his love for God was undeniable as he humbly devoted his life to serving others.
February 10, 2021
This is a fantastic read about a man of God who led the way in medical research, surgery and so many things leprosy!
I highly recommended it and am so encouraged while also challenged about our own patience & commitment to serve God professionally.
I highly recommended it and am so encouraged while also challenged about our own patience & commitment to serve God professionally.
June 7, 2022
I always enjoy reading the Christian Heroes books. This one was about Paul Brand, who was a doctor in India. He specialized in working with leprosy patients. Especially on hands and feet. Leprosy always interested me, since it isn's seen anymore, and there is now a cure for it. I enjoyed this book!
October 15, 2022
I loved this book! It was very inspiring; not only that, it was fascinating! Paul Brand was innovative, skilled, committed, and a shining example of the love of Christ. I enjoyed it so much that I'm moving on to listen to his book "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made".
January 16, 2023
I had not heard of Paul Brand, so his story was new to me. The book was well written and informative. I really enjoyed learning about his life and ministry among the lepers. It has inspired me to go visit the museum in Louisiana.
September 10, 2025
I had never heard of Paul Brand. This is why I love this series. Now I have his books on my to-read list. What an amazing life.
Good for:
England during WWII
India
Missionary families
Medical interest
Leprosy
Carville Louisiana Leprosarium
Good for:
England during WWII
India
Missionary families
Medical interest
Leprosy
Carville Louisiana Leprosarium
July 22, 2017
Very factual. It was hard for me to stay focused... but I finished and he did some amazing advancements for leprosy in medicine.
July 31, 2019
Listened to audio book with the kids.
March 24, 2020
While some things were a little gross, Paul Brand was an amazing man who helped the least of these.
October 24, 2021
This is the story of a missionary surgeon who pioneered reconstructive surgery on the hands and feet of lepers. It was fascinating.
July 2, 2022
This would be a good book for homeschoolers to use. It was interesting but clearly for younger readers.
August 30, 2022
love love love this book. super interesting info about leprosy and how it relates to diabetes.
April 11, 2024
I read Brand’s books (written with Yancey) years ago so I was excited to finally read more about his life. This series is excellent!
January 2, 2025
Wonderful story of a true gift from God to Paul Brand. My 13 year old son loved this book, and we both were inspired. Every has a gift. Highly recommend.
December 1, 2025
5* Audio
This book is sending me down a rabbit trail. I have never heard this man's story and it is interesting.
This book is sending me down a rabbit trail. I have never heard this man's story and it is interesting.
January 23, 2026
A great read!
May 17, 2025
This book discusses the life and career of Paul Brand, who is best known for his work in leprosy (particularly discovering how it affects the body in the nerves). He served as a medical doctor and missionary in India.
The audiobook narrator was Tim Gregory.
The audiobook narrator was Tim Gregory.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews