Paradise General

Riding the Surge at a Combat Hospital in Iraq

De: David Hnida M.D.

Narrado por: George K. Wilson

A family doctor with limited surgical experience, Dr. Dave Hnida volunteered for two tours of duty in Iraq - first as a battalion surgeon with a combat unit and then as trauma chief at the busiest Combat Support Hospital (CSH) during the Surge.

With honesty and candor, and the goofy, self-deprecating humor that sustained him and his fellow doctors through their darkest hours, he provides an astonishing firsthand account of the psychological horror show of conducting medical care in the front lines of an unscripted war.

Like a modern-day M*A*S*H, Dr. Hnida and his team conducted surgery under terrible conditions in a series of tents connected to the occasional run-down building. With an unrelenting caseload, his CSH, the only one staffed by reservists - older, more experienced physicians (who were also more disdainful of authority) - soon became the medivac destination of choice because of their high survival rate, an astounding 99.5 percent.

Dr. Hnida has suffered some very dark hours. Not only were nine of the students killed in the Columbine shootings, his family practice patients, but his daughter, a place kicker and the first female to score a point in an NCAA Division I football game, was the victim in a widely publicized rape case. He took from these events not hopelessness but rather an overwhelming desire to help as many young people as he could. His decision, at 48, to enlist as a reservist in the Iraq war is a true testament to his commitment to fulfill that goal.

©2010 David Hnida, M.D. (P)2010 Tantor

Great story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It is well written and very well narrated by George WIlson. Liked the different voices and accents he put into the characters.

What did you like best about this story?

The honesty of the writer. The descriptions make you feel like you are there watching the story unfold.

Was there a moment in the book that particular moved you?

I think his fear at the beginning, wondering what he got himself into. I could so identify with that. It was encouraging to know others are afraid too, but they overcome their fears and succeed at the monumental task in front of them.

Excellent!

Great insights into the intense pressures of a part of war we rarely hear about. Often heart-wrenching and hilarious. Narrator perfect fit for the sardonic attitude of the author.

Laugh Out Loud

The author is hilarious, witty, provides clever commentary describing the army, the war itself, and the care of soldiers of America and Iraq.

Fans of M*A*S*H will enjoy this book!

Would you consider the audio edition of Paradise General to be better than the print version?

Absolutely! George K. Wilson did a fantastic job narrating this book! I especially loved all the voices and accents he did to distinguish all the different characters. I would consider the audio edition to be preferential to the print version because it feels like you are in the room with Dr. Hnida listening to him tell the story.

What did you like best about this story?

The comradery and the hi-jinks! Dr. Hnida also has a best friend, Rick, and I really enjoyed their growing friendship.

What about George K. Wilson’s performance did you like?

I'm really impressed by the accents he did, especially for Rick. There are a lot of funny interpersonal moments in this book, and George K. Wilson made all of them shine!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I found the honesty and humour of this book to be particularly moving. I especially liked how the doctors resort to having a laugh to bring up their spirits when things are tense and heavy, and using humour to make the wounded feel less afraid.

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy watching M*A*S*H or enjoyed the book by Richard Hooker then I highly recommend Paradise General! Dr. Hnida even mentions some of the parallels of his work and the TV show. There is a mixture of seriousness and hilarity that is appreciable, and Dr. Hnida is a very likable character.

Great book

One of the best books I’ve listened to. I highly recommend it! Honest and beautifully written.