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Anne Watts grew up in a small village in north Wales in the 1940s. Inspired by school geography lessons that told of far-off lands, she broke out of the conventional options open to women in post-war Britain, defying her Merchant Navy father's dated views. She trained as a nurse and midwife, joined the Save the Children Fund, and was posted to Vietnam in 1967.
One of only three British nurses in the region, Anne was faced with a vision of hell that her training at Manchester's Royal Infirmary had barely prepared her for. Thrown in at the deep end, she witnessed the random cruelty of warfare, nursing injured and orphaned children and caring for wounded and dying servicemen. She went on to take her skills to the victims of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, to Lebanon during the Israeli occupation, and Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. Over some forty-five years Anne has brought her courage and compassion to those most in need of help.
Woven into this vivid, compelling memoir is perhaps the most moving story of all - how Anne's idyllic childhood was shattered by a shocking family tragedy when she was 10 years old. A tragedy that was to shape her destiny.
One of only three British nurses in the region, Anne was faced with a vision of hell that her training at Manchester's Royal Infirmary had barely prepared her for. Thrown in at the deep end, she witnessed the random cruelty of warfare, nursing injured and orphaned children and caring for wounded and dying servicemen. She went on to take her skills to the victims of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, to Lebanon during the Israeli occupation, and Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. Over some forty-five years Anne has brought her courage and compassion to those most in need of help.
Woven into this vivid, compelling memoir is perhaps the most moving story of all - how Anne's idyllic childhood was shattered by a shocking family tragedy when she was 10 years old. A tragedy that was to shape her destiny.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 12, 2016
Although this book is the memoir of one woman's experiences as a nurse who served in many war torn countries some years ago, it s a very timely book given the situation in the world today and the stories we see on the news daily of how food (or the lack thereof) is used as a weapon for war and how refugees are traumatized.
Anne Watt knew from an early age that she wanted to be a nurse (like her mother had been) and that she wanted to travel the world (as her father had done in the merchant marine service). Growing up in post war UK she was stunned to listen to the radio and hear people calling for help in other European countries because they were still being attacked even though the war was past.
After the sudden death of her mother, Ann and her sisters were subjected to the cruelty of a new step-mother and the loss of any outward affection from their father. Her determination to become a nurse did not meet with her father's approval but she persevered and managed to succeed in her goal.
She became a nurse working for Save The Children and was sent to Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Her role was to be a nurse to the children who were the innocent victims of a war no one really understood.The things she saw and the stories she tells in the book are chilling, and there were times when I had to put the book down for awhile and regroup. How she had the stamina and persistence to do what she did is amazing to me as a retired nurse. Her second contract with Save the Children was in a different part of Vietnam and brought with it different stories and challenges. She fell victim to chloroquine resistant malaria and became extremely ill which gave her greater insight into what some of her patients were experiencing.
During her time in Vietnam she saw the horror of Americans turning against Americans because of skin colour . She saw over and over again man's inhumanity to man mixed with examples of man's humanity.
One section of her story that particularly resonated with me was the time she spent at Sa Keao, a refugee camp situated in Thailand near the border to Cambodia. Amongst the refugees were members of the Khmer Rouge. None of the staff were allowed to stay on site at night and it was during that time that women were raped and abused. They would not use the provided washrooms because that was where the local soldiers would find them. They would be shouted at all day and only later did Anne find out the threats of further persecution that were being uttered. Many had been tortured before they arrived and torture had often taken place in their temples meaning that any solace from their religion was taken from them. Unaccompanied children were taken from the camp and sent to other countries for adoption against the protests of the nuns and staff present. At that point little effort had been made to determine if they had surviving relatives. Women were unknowingly being given shots of birth control to prevent pregnancy. This story is happening again today in our world - perhaps with different details but with the same victims and suffering.
Anne's career did not stop here though. She also served as a nurse in Beirut and was present when Desert Storm began. Her stories of how different groups of people were treated were mind-boggling and she personally experienced having border people from Israel spit on her and harass her. There was one family she got to know through teaching them English. When invited to their home she discovered that they had a photograph of Adolf Hitler in a place of honour. She was told "He is the great Mr. Adolf Hitler. He killed six million Jews. He is our hero." When she asked him "Why would you think killing six million people is a good thing?" He replied. "It is only good if they are Jews." "Will you teach your children this?" "Yes I will".
At one point after her abusive experience at a checkpoint Anne wrote:" That was but a minor incident compared to what others endured. It would have been a minor incident in the early 1940's too, when the soldiers would have been German and those questioned and humiliated would have been Jews. Today in 2010 it is but a minor incident in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Gaza or Zimbabwe. But I remember how it made me feel, and can only wonder at how people learn how to control themselves when such humiliations are constantly heaped upon them. I am a nurse, not a politician. All I see is the human detritus left in the wake of poorly conceived policies and failed diplomacy. If, as is said so often, the oppressed do become the oppressors, then we should all be very, very worried about the future we are leaving to our children."
This is a book which should be read by as many as possible in the hopes that we can learn from it. I wish all of our politicians would read it. Lest you think Anne Watt had no hope, I leave you with some words from her forward: "I've learned that we have the power and capacity to make this world a better place; that walls of suspicion and fear can be replaced by bridges of kindness, care and understanding. All we - and especially those who govern- need to find is the will to change things: the will to banish the neglect of the poor, the abused and the defenceless in our Western society; to rethink the lousy political decision-making that leads to the destruction and cruelty of war and extreme poverty...."
Anne Watt knew from an early age that she wanted to be a nurse (like her mother had been) and that she wanted to travel the world (as her father had done in the merchant marine service). Growing up in post war UK she was stunned to listen to the radio and hear people calling for help in other European countries because they were still being attacked even though the war was past.
After the sudden death of her mother, Ann and her sisters were subjected to the cruelty of a new step-mother and the loss of any outward affection from their father. Her determination to become a nurse did not meet with her father's approval but she persevered and managed to succeed in her goal.
She became a nurse working for Save The Children and was sent to Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Her role was to be a nurse to the children who were the innocent victims of a war no one really understood.The things she saw and the stories she tells in the book are chilling, and there were times when I had to put the book down for awhile and regroup. How she had the stamina and persistence to do what she did is amazing to me as a retired nurse. Her second contract with Save the Children was in a different part of Vietnam and brought with it different stories and challenges. She fell victim to chloroquine resistant malaria and became extremely ill which gave her greater insight into what some of her patients were experiencing.
During her time in Vietnam she saw the horror of Americans turning against Americans because of skin colour . She saw over and over again man's inhumanity to man mixed with examples of man's humanity.
One section of her story that particularly resonated with me was the time she spent at Sa Keao, a refugee camp situated in Thailand near the border to Cambodia. Amongst the refugees were members of the Khmer Rouge. None of the staff were allowed to stay on site at night and it was during that time that women were raped and abused. They would not use the provided washrooms because that was where the local soldiers would find them. They would be shouted at all day and only later did Anne find out the threats of further persecution that were being uttered. Many had been tortured before they arrived and torture had often taken place in their temples meaning that any solace from their religion was taken from them. Unaccompanied children were taken from the camp and sent to other countries for adoption against the protests of the nuns and staff present. At that point little effort had been made to determine if they had surviving relatives. Women were unknowingly being given shots of birth control to prevent pregnancy. This story is happening again today in our world - perhaps with different details but with the same victims and suffering.
Anne's career did not stop here though. She also served as a nurse in Beirut and was present when Desert Storm began. Her stories of how different groups of people were treated were mind-boggling and she personally experienced having border people from Israel spit on her and harass her. There was one family she got to know through teaching them English. When invited to their home she discovered that they had a photograph of Adolf Hitler in a place of honour. She was told "He is the great Mr. Adolf Hitler. He killed six million Jews. He is our hero." When she asked him "Why would you think killing six million people is a good thing?" He replied. "It is only good if they are Jews." "Will you teach your children this?" "Yes I will".
At one point after her abusive experience at a checkpoint Anne wrote:" That was but a minor incident compared to what others endured. It would have been a minor incident in the early 1940's too, when the soldiers would have been German and those questioned and humiliated would have been Jews. Today in 2010 it is but a minor incident in Afghanistan, Chechnya, Gaza or Zimbabwe. But I remember how it made me feel, and can only wonder at how people learn how to control themselves when such humiliations are constantly heaped upon them. I am a nurse, not a politician. All I see is the human detritus left in the wake of poorly conceived policies and failed diplomacy. If, as is said so often, the oppressed do become the oppressors, then we should all be very, very worried about the future we are leaving to our children."
This is a book which should be read by as many as possible in the hopes that we can learn from it. I wish all of our politicians would read it. Lest you think Anne Watt had no hope, I leave you with some words from her forward: "I've learned that we have the power and capacity to make this world a better place; that walls of suspicion and fear can be replaced by bridges of kindness, care and understanding. All we - and especially those who govern- need to find is the will to change things: the will to banish the neglect of the poor, the abused and the defenceless in our Western society; to rethink the lousy political decision-making that leads to the destruction and cruelty of war and extreme poverty...."
August 24, 2017
Een autobiografische roman die gaat over Anna Watts en haar leven als verpleegkundige in onder andere Vietnam tijdens de oorlog.
ik zou dit boek zeker aanraden omdat het een pakkend en aangrijpend verhaal is.
ik zou dit boek zeker aanraden omdat het een pakkend en aangrijpend verhaal is.
October 10, 2020
Memories, human need
Fascinating lifetime account told with humour despite the human tragedy recorded. Anne writes with an easy to read light touch. As a couple of years younger than me, I gained more insight into the world we had lived through. Thank you Anne for all your caring love.
Fascinating lifetime account told with humour despite the human tragedy recorded. Anne writes with an easy to read light touch. As a couple of years younger than me, I gained more insight into the world we had lived through. Thank you Anne for all your caring love.
October 13, 2012
I have not yet finished reading this book but I have already given it five stars. Maybe it is because the author, Anne Watts, is writing about a time and a place which I shared - but it is much more than that. She has such a true way of describing places and emotions that I have been both constantly uplifted and brought to tears. It is a beautifully written, poignant story.This is one of those bio's where you fall in love with the author. Highly recommended.
December 31, 2018
Anne set out to make a difference in this world, but did so by serving as a nurse in war-torn countries where she impacted the lives of needy children in beautiful ways. She includes photos and personal stories that capture your heart and imagination. For many of the stories, the ending is unknown as Anne's work moved her from place to place and the nature of conflict made staying in touch impossible. But there is a great sense that doing what you in the moment is enough.
October 8, 2020
Definitely worth reading
This should be required reading for everyone who thinks he or she is hard done by. It also revels that there are really wonderful people in the world.
This should be required reading for everyone who thinks he or she is hard done by. It also revels that there are really wonderful people in the world.
December 30, 2010
You don't often come across a story of someone who is so incredibly selfless, but Anne Watts has truly poured her heart into aiding people in desperate need. I would like to imagine myself in similar situations and believe I am capable of such sacrifice, but realistically, I don't think I could stomach half of what she has seen. Luckily there are remarkable people like her in this world.
July 11, 2013
I was recently given both this book and Anne's sequel as a signed gift from her whilst I was looking after onemof her friends in hospital. As a student nurse, this book struck me as inspirational as to what I can do to make the world better once I've qualified. Anne, if you read this then thank you so much.
April 9, 2014
I loved this book, she lead an amazing life. The history behind some of these conflicts where innocent children were the victims was informative and at times horrifying. I highly recommend this book and am in awe of its author.
January 22, 2016
It's not something I'd normally read, but I was given the book by a friend.
I did enjoy reading her story though. It was very interesting to know what she went through with the war, and how they lived back then.
I also loved the pictures at the end of the book, especially Ba.
I did enjoy reading her story though. It was very interesting to know what she went through with the war, and how they lived back then.
I also loved the pictures at the end of the book, especially Ba.
March 27, 2016
This is a fabulous book. Childhood traumas followed by a life spent in some of the worlds hot spots dealing with the tragedies wreaked on civilian populations by conflicts. Gripping, truly a great read.
April 22, 2013
Interesting to hear a different side of World Events from the 1960's to 2000 from a nurse's view of helping children in different conflict zones around the world
December 7, 2022
An incredible insight into nursing around the world and challenges faced 50+ years ago by a British nurse.
I don’t know how someone can spend their whole lives working in such conditions away from family and friends, it rely does take a lot of courage. And a very special person.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Not only from Anne’s perspective but also hearing from her colleagues.
What a career?!
I don’t know how someone can spend their whole lives working in such conditions away from family and friends, it rely does take a lot of courage. And a very special person.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Not only from Anne’s perspective but also hearing from her colleagues.
What a career?!
July 14, 2023
Interessant boek geschreven uit het perspectief van een vrouw die veel grote gebeurtenissen in de geschiedenis van een andere kant heeft gezien. Zeker de moeite waard om dit soort ervaringen te lezen.
October 24, 2022
Recounts the terrible times of the Vietnam War, and the nurse's love for the dreadfully injured children
December 26, 2023
A read that paints a vivid picture of times you recall from the news of the past. Heartbreaking at times but happy at others. An insightful read.
March 8, 2014
Anne Watts grew up in Wales during the 2nd world war and despite her fathers objections she trained as a nurs and eventually joined the Save the Children and went overseas during the Viet Nam war and worked in war stricken areas trying to help displaced and maimed children and people who became victims of the Viet Nam and went on with a few breaks to recuperate to work in other war torn areas.
January 28, 2012
What an amazing journey this lady lead, she put her life at risk to help kids orphaned by war.... really enjoyed this book.
February 20, 2017
Loved this book. Similar to Call the Midwife.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews