The Scalpel, the Sword: The Story of Dr. Norman Bethune

by Sydney Gordon, Ted Allan, Ted Allen, et al.

Book Overview

Compelling narrative of Norman Bethune, revolutionary doctor in Mao's China.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0853453020
• ISBN13: 9780853453024
• Release Date: January 1952
• Publisher: Monthly Review Press
• Length: 346 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

surgery

a classic book about a revolutionary surgeon on the fringe of everything. an inspiration of energy and commitment

A book to inspire

This is a great book, telling the story of a man who has inspired generations of doctors (and non-doctors) to try to cure more than just human disease. Norman Bethune, whose life this book describes, was a multifaceted man, for whom the adjective "great" would be quite appropriate. He was a surgeon, a health activist, a communist, a poet, a painter, a journalist and above all a great human being. This book describes his early life, his battle against tuberculosis,against fascism and all those who injure other human beings. Quoting his speeches,his newspaper articles and his journal extensively, the book informs and inspires and should be a must read for everyone who aspires to be a doctor or just loves humanity.

Norm Bethune -- Genius combined with relentless effort.

There are simple people and there are complicated people. Norm Bethune was definitely of the latter strain. Independent, erratic, gifted, persistent-ever searching for the next direction, or "mission." His parents were great admirers of D.L. Moody. His father was a pastor at various small towns throughout Ontario, Canada, and his mother was a missionary. Bethune himself didn't seem to have the same interest as his parents in the things of God. But his mother's missionary fervor was obviously a very prominent influence in his life. His genius as a surgeon first emerged when he contracted tuberculosis and decided that he must prepare to die. He encouraged his wife to divorce him, and he went to a sanitarium. But once he got there, he found the boredom of waiting to die was more tortuous than the illness itself, and he began to research the disease. His fortunes changed drastically when he happened upon a book describing a new procedure which involved removing part of the ribs to collapse an ailing lung. This procedure was new-only about a year old, but Bethune was interested. He was determined to be a beneficiary of this new innovation, and this determination eventually led to his recovery. It was 1927. After his recovery, he became a thoracic surgeon. But he was frustrated by the numbers of indigent patients who did not get timely treatment because they were too poor. His preoccupation with, an concern for the "underdogs" of the world eventually led him to Spain, where he got involved in the Spanish civil war, working with the forces battling Franco. This experience had a profound effect on his thinking. He joined the Communist Party, and campaigned for support for the resistance forces. But the heart of this book really begins when Dr. Bethune goes to China. His experiences as a battlefield surgeon make fascinating reading. He was hot-tempered and impatient, but his decision to use his genius as a surgeon to help the guerrilla fighters has given us a story well worth the reading. Edison said that "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Well, I don't know about the actual percentages, but it is clear that Bethune's life had a good dose of both. He was not only a physician, he was an inventor. He invented 12 different surgical instruments, and published 14 articles outlining his innovations in surgical technique. He was very creative, and a very, very hard worker. And he would not tolerate incompetence. He was vehement almost to the point of violence in his determination to give the best possible treatment to the wounded. The descriptions of battlefield surgery in this book are sometimes painful to read, but very, very compelling. But I am not a medical person. My primary interest in this book stems from my interest in history. There are several ways that this book is helpful in that area. First of all, the story takes place during the Sino-Japanese war, a time in which Ji

Norman Bethune - A Life of Service, Compassion & Excitement

This is a book that should be on the essential reading list for those planning a career in medicine (surgery). It is truly inspiring, and it provides an interesting history of the early years of thoracic surgery, transfusion medicine, and humanitarian committment. I recommend those who have the opportunity to visit the Bethune Peace Hospital in China, about a two hour drive from Beijing. The Bethune Museum there is wonderful.

A story of Curage

I remember this story from my mother reading it to me a s a child and again reading it as a highschool student. I gave me hope that one person can make a difference. That we can do things to help people not for fame and fortune but because people need our help and we have the expertise to help ease their pain and suffering.Norman bethume was such a man and his story needs to be told again and again. I highly recommend it to anyone who values the efforts of individulas and the love of community. Chester