Canary in the Coal Mine

A Forgotten Rural Community, a Hidden Epidemic, and a Lone Doctor Battling for the Life, Health, and Soul of the People

By: Dr. William Cooke, Laura Ungar - contributor

Narrated by: Tim H. Dixon

One doctor’s courageous fight to save a small town from a silent epidemic that threatened the community’s future - and exposed a national health crisis.

When Dr. Will Cooke, an idealistic young physician just out of medical training, set up practice in the small rural community of Austin, Indiana, he had no idea that much of the town was being torn apart by poverty, addiction, and life-threatening illnesses. But he soon found himself at the crossroads of two unprecedented health-care disasters: a national opioid epidemic and the worst drug-fueled HIV outbreak ever seen in rural America.

Confronted with Austin’s hidden secrets, Dr. Cooke decided he had to do something about them. In taking up the fight for Austin’s people, however, he would have to battle some unanticipated foes: prejudice, political resistance, an entrenched bureaucracy - and the dark despair that threatened to overwhelm his own soul. Canary in the Coal Mine is a gripping account of the transformation of a man and his adopted community, a compelling and ultimately hopeful story in the vein of Hillbilly Elegy, Dreamland, and Educated.

©2021 Dr. William Cooke and Laura Ungar (P)2021 Tyndale House Publishers

Thank you

Thank you Dr. Cook for the work you and your team do. Thank you for writing this book. And thank you for demonstrating how to make secular work full time Christian service.

I have already begun recommending your book to my friends and family.

Great book!

I had never heard of this book but am so glad I listened to it! The challenges that Dr. Cook faced were unbelievable and I could feel his frustration. The way he was able to change his point of view and see people as Christ does is something we all need to do. As a healthcare provider this was a great eye opener to how jaded I have become and I am thankful for the reminder to see people through Christ’s eyes. Awesome book!

absolutely moving

A true story from our hometown Community. Moving and impactful. We appreciate the work and the sacrifice of so many to complete the good work.

Great Book !

This is a terrific book about a young doctor dealing with a tragedy all too common in many American communities. It involves drug addiction, an HIV epidemic, deaths of despair and vast numbers of people living in poverty with little hope.
Canary in the Coal Mine complements the book Tightrope by Nicholas Kristof. While Kristof focuses on these issues from a national perspective, Dr. Cooke focuses on a single small town in mid-America. Both books address the failure of the War on Drugs and the damage to many American families.
Dr. Cooke talks about spirituality a good deal and the need have more than faith alone. He focuses on the need to do good works, not just for the neighbor, but for the stranger, too.
Canary in the Coal Mine tells a tragic story, but one filled with inspiration and hope. Bob Siegmann

Awesome

Powerful and true story about my community. I loved the story of hope!!
Great Book!