On Call in Hell

A Doctor's Iraq War Story

By: Richard Jadick, Thomas Hayden

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Cdr. Richard Jadick's story is one of the most extraordinary to come out of the war in Iraq. At 38, the last place the Navy doctor was expected to be was on the front lines. He was too old to be called up, but not too old to volunteer.

In November 2004, with the military reeling from an acute doctor shortage, Jadick chose to accompany the First Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment (the "1/8") to Iraq. During the Battle of Fallujah, Jadick and his team worked tirelessly and courageously around the clock to save their troops amidst the worst street fighting Americans had faced since Vietnam.

It is estimated that without Jadick at the front, the Marines would have lost an additional 30 men. Of the hundreds of men he treated, only one died after reaching a hospital. This is the inspiring story of his decision to enter into the fray, a fascinating glimpse into wartime triage, and a compelling account of courage under fire.

©2007 Richard Jadick and Thomas Hayden (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"This remarkable man's story is well worth telling...a memorable experience." (Publishers Weekly)

Navy medical must read!

A must read read for anyone wanting to go into Navy medicine, as a Corpsman or Medical doctor.

Informative and interesting

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.

Illuminating, Inspiring, Heartbreaking

This excellent memoir illuminates Dr. Jadick's path to medical school and to serving in Iraq, recalls inspiring camaraderie and heroism in heated battle, and honors the many who fell or were injured in he early phase of the Iraq War. It honors as well the medical teams who put themselves in extreme danger to aid the troops they accompany. We civilians all owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.

Autobiography culminating in Iraq experience

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.

Deeply Regret This Purchase

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.)

Writing book

What did you like best about On Call in Hell? What did you like least?

Some parts were moving in the book,particularly what our boys and girls go thru to defend us. As for as writing them in the form of a book you require some other expertise which I did not see. Any how it is worth reading.

Do you think On Call in Hell needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. but it should be written by some one like a writer who has written some articles or books.

Not much action for being in "Hell."

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.