On Call in Hell: A Doctor's Iraq War Story

While a story of one doctor's time in war it is neither a comedy nor a war story. The author uses his own time in Iraq to draw attention to battlefield medical technology describing at the same time why the number battlefield fatalities has declined and a growing need for medical doctors who are willing to practice their trade just behind the front lines of the conflict. At times I listened with rapt interest as the author described his views on battlefield medicine and how he put them into practice. Another time, I laughed out loud with him as he described his 'diplomatic impasse' (we have all been there before). I smiled with him as he explained in detail how minor comforts would mean so much to men there. Often as he described the courage, valor and dedication of the men he worked to save yet could not, I found tears stinging my eyes in the cold winter wind over two years after their passing. While the author describes the carnage and brutality of his situation in this war, he neither glorifies nor dwells upon the violence its own right. While explaining the motivation of himself and others he cleverly avoids the polarizing political issues or the war. In my opinion it is a well-told story easily understandable to everyone and well worth listening to. As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed the book from beginning to end.

A note to the author: When at a stadium, standing at attention, silently singing the star spangled banner as the music plays, I close my eyes to keep the water off my cheeks.

This was a painful book to read, but it made me appreciate what goes on during war. It is about a young doctor who leaves his wife and 4-day-old daughter to go to Iraq to do what he could to take care of injured marines. I think I can safely say I will never have to fight in a war, and I pray daily that I will never have to see a war first hand. This book made me honor those who are willing to fight for my freedom even more than I already did. I found myself with tears rolling down my face from time to time, and even a bit sick to my stomach on occasion, but I always had a sense of awe that there are people in the world who are willing to do the things that have to be done in a war. It is overwhelming to me. I want to tell them that I am so very grateful!

WOW, the writer was truly generous to relive the things saw and lived through. I am thankfull that men and women like the author whom put themselves into the line of fire. This all aside the novel is gut wrenching and informitive. It give thoes of us who will never see combat, a first hand look at the situations that are meet and delt with as best as one can expect. Five stars doesn't give this novel the true repesct it deserves. If I had one problem with the book, it was that the author wasn't the narrator.... It isn't that the chosen narrator did a poor job, I just feel the author would have given that little extra. You can't get everything you want.

As an ex-Marine whose brother was also a combat Corpsman in Vietnam, I appreciate Jadick's exemplary service and devotion to finding every way possible to keep Leathernecks alive on the battlefield. He was clearly an outstanding officer and doctor and a lot of people owe him their lives.

You should know before you get the book, however, that over half of it is devoted to his life story before Faluja. That part of the book, which includes details about his schooling and earlier military training and service, is moderately interesting and sheds light on how he came to be superbly prepared and motivated to run a combat battalion aid station under the most trying of circumstances, but it does take a long time to get to the real meat of the story. And once you get there, the gripping, moment by moment narrative set in the streets of the embattled city is short lived and soon devolves into the "And then there was the time when...." style of story telling. Not unpleasant but unfocused and sometimes even a little tedious.

Jadick is refreshingly frank in describing his fellows but also generous in his praise of these men and women with whom he shared his time in hell. One has to appreciate his care in personalizing each of those who did not make it home with their unit or who returned with grievous wounds. The book is a powerful reminder of their sacrifice and of the extraordinary courage and professionalism with which our fighting men and women respond when we call on them.

Mostly about the author and his journey to becoming a doctor, then becoming a military doctor. A few interesting sections where he described some of the injuries he treated, but not very informative or exciting. Still glad I listened to it, but would not recommend it to my friends.

A way of delivering the lines that made me feel as if I was there.

I cried and laughed. There are some parts that really tug at you while also giving you a smile.

Overall the book is great. i personally am interested in the field of Military medicine and wish that the story would go more in depth with the specific experiences he talks about. I highly recommend this piece.

The author does himself no favors by admitting, early on, that the Hippocratic oath's "do no harm" mandate doesn't apply to him. That he volunteered for service just as his wife was having a child, while making it sound to his wife like he had no choice, also was kind of reprehensible. I guess we should appreciate his honesty -- the author definitely doesn't try to make himself likable. It comes off as if he just doesn't understand that this is how he seems to readers.

There is very little of substance here. There is plenty of discussion of the quality of latrines, and mundane military bureaucracies. Maybe 20% has to do with the actual war experiences; the rest is full of every sleep-inducing detail of the author's educational and military career history. Anyone picking up this book would rightfully expect it to contain more of the "Iraq war story" promised on the cover. Most of the book is not about Iraq, not about war, and doesn't make up anything like a coherent story.

I appreciate the author's service to his country. It would be an injustice for me to give this book a positive review just for that reason. This book is an unbelievably huge disappointment.

(Credit where it's due: the narrator did very well with such shoddy material.)

It made me think that I was right there in the battle with the guys in Iraq. I could envision the terror and also the calm that these men faced.

When they were going after their comrades and how they managed to get them out of the area with out getting killed or hurt themselves.

His narration helped me to feel like I was right there in the battle with this Doctor and right beside him as he cared for the men that he had grown to love.

When the surgeon went out into the battle with the men to help save his fellow soldiers.

A great book for any health care professional to read. It tells of the dangers, heartaches when you lose a fellow healthcare professional, and the comraderie that you can have when everyone is "shooting" for the same goal.

yes, it is an interesting point of view. Having served in Iraq in 2003 with a Fleet Hospital within the combat zone, his story is very real and acurate and yet he was more involved in the urban warfare than my personal experience.

The physician's point of view. I have read other similar books but from a nurse's perspective.

No

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be an battalion doctor on the war front in Iraq, this is the book for you. Jadick explains how he got there and what it was like. He is a man who goes above and beyond the call of duty, I would guess, in everything he does.
The narration was superb! I felt like Jadick was narrating his own story--kudos to Lloyd James for his narration skills.