Hope in Hell: Inside the World of Medecins Sans Frontieres - Hardcover

Comprehensive picture of the essence of volunteerism.--Amanda Walters"The Lancet" (09/04/2004) Well written and filled with excellent color photographs that give the reader a realistic picture of the work these amazing volunteers undertake.--Dennis Lythgoe"Deseret Morning News" (12/08/2004) Emphasizes that much of the organization's work takes place not in war zones but in remote, impoverished locales.--Caroline Preston"Chronicle of Philanthropy" (12/09/2004) All in all, I found Hope in Hell to be a nicely balanced book about this type of work/volunteerism that I've been curious about for years.--Norm Rooker"Emergency Medical Services Magazine" (08/01/2005) Looks at the history, politics and motivations of MSF and its volunteers... analyzes the difficulties that MSF faces.-- (10/01/2004) You will meet a few of these extraordinary people and hear their stories. In the midst of some of the worst hells on Earth, they really do bring a glimpse of hope.-- (11/27/2004) Traces the history of the world's largest independent medical humanitarian organization... grimly poignant.-- (08/09/2004) Inspired... Much of what Bortolotti reports is noticeably absent from the daily headlines, so this eye opening account is all the more chilling, and MSF's efforts achingly more compelling.-- (09/15/2004) Dan was in some of the world's most dangerous countries, chronicling the stories of volunteer medical workers.--Chatelaine (12/01/2004) Describes but never romanticizes... Direct and evocative, this well-written book pushers readers to the edge of a world of grueling realities not know by most Americans. Summing Up: Recommended.-- (07/01/2005) Reveals the human face of MSF. Bortolotti has captured the expats' varied voices and personal stories.-- (08/01/2004) A fine read, compelling in its story. Just the pages on its fight against malaria are worth a lot.-- (12/24/2004) Bortolotti interviewed hundreds of medical personnel who spoke frankly about their experiences... allows the reader a very honest look at MSF.-- (11/16/2004) Some physicians still do manifest the noblest virtues of medicine... a worthwhile read for prospective international aid volunteers.-- (10/30/2004) A gripping tale as it describes how the group manages to care for patients in the most inhospitable and dangerous corners of the earth... a solid read.-- (01/01/2005) It is in the considerable space that Bortolotti gives to the emotions of the group's staff members that the book really shines... authentic and inclusive... informative and touching.-- (12/30/2004)

The humanitarian organisation, Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and those who lack reliable health care. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer doctors, nurses, and other professionals join locally-hired staff to provide medical aid in more than eighty countries. At the forefront are the volunteer doctors who risk their lives to perform surgery, establish hospitals and clinics, run nutrition programmes, and train local medical personnel. This book follows these volunteer doctors as they risk their health and lives to treat patients in desperate need. Combining engaging text with dramatic colour photographs from around the world, Hope in Hell examines the lives of individual Medecins Sans Frontieres volunteer medical professionals. Firefly is donating a USD50,000 charitable payment to Medecins Sans Frontieres upon the publication of the book. A fascinating and often harrowing account of the men and women who struggle to improve the lives of people in desperate need. Gripping accounts of medical workers who volunteer to serve in some of the world's most dangerous hotspots.