Book Review: A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq

Coppola A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq by Dr. Chris Coppola with a foreword by Guy Naz, an NPR Correspondence should be required reading for all adults in America. It does not matter if you support the war in Iraq or believe that is was the biggest mistake of the last century this is a book about the impact of the war on the men and women who serve, their families and the men, women and children of Iraq and the difference one man can make.

Dr. Coppola joined the service as a way to help pay for his medical training. He could have incurred hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt or give his country a number of years of services as a doctor and surgeon in the Armed Forces. After doing the math Dr. Coppola realized that taking out loans and then going into private practice would be a better fiscal decision for him and his family but he felt a desire to serve so became and Army Surgeon. One of seven pediatric surgeons who serve in our Armed Services. When the planes hit the World Trade Centers on September 11. 2001 he knew that there was an extremely high likelihood that he would be deployed and he was in 2005 and again in 2007.

This book tells the story about his deployment the people he met both American and Iraqi. About how when one is draped in sterile blue cotton towels there is no difference and that every person standing around that operating table gives everything in their power to save lives. Through words Dr. Coppola allows those of us who do not serve to see into the everyday life of a service member. The foods that they eat, the constant barrage of noise and sweat and sand they endure on a daily basis. The small signs of home a pizza hut on the corner in the green zone or an impromptu garden outside of a sleeping trailer and that while these are small pieces of home all they really do is remind one of how far away they really are from the lives and their families.

You will also meet a number of Iraqi's in this book. Mainly children but also the parents and grandparents who love these children and are doing their best to keep them alive while war rages around them. The spirit of America shines through in this book. Time and time again the best that we are and the best that we can be is demonstrated. The number of children that are treated and saved by Dr. Coppola and the rest of his team and colleagues gives one hope that what most of us want is the same. The ability to walk to the store with our child and for our children to grow up and be safe and live.

This book does not delve into the politics of war the book is really about the human spirit. It is a fast and interesting read and one that whatever your position is on the war reminds you of the importance of supporting our troops and may also give you pause about what you can do on a personal level to improve your community or our world.

Highly recommended.