Le troisième combattant

by Marcel Junod

Chronicles of a ICRC Delegate's work in the field during various armed conflicts from 1935-1945.

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Karlo Wieseler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very captivating Biographie of a true hero: Marcel Junod, an IRC delegate in several conflicts from 1935 to 1945. Junod recounts his work on the front lines of despair and suffering, as a third warrior he fought for respect of the human being, no matter if victor or vanquished. As an experienced doctor he attended to injured soldiers and civilians, and as an increasingly weathered diplomat he advocated for the rights of POWs. Helping with the retelling of Junod's story are pictures from his missions, that, while being very bleak at times, come a little closer to conveying the true horrors of war.
His actions explain the need for the Geneva convention, while also uncovering its loopholes and showing that without constant controlling, documentation and diplomatic pressure, it would be useless.
I highly recommend the book, understanding the important work of the IRC in conflicts all around the world and learning more about the violence caused to those who are already defenseless is vital for grasping the continuous price of war for everyone.
TRIGGER WARNING: The book contains graphic violence, e.g. injuries caused by chemical warfare, or famished men. It also contains the derogatory term "coolie".

[Oleksii Yaresko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story.

[Darius · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating first-hand perspective on some of the most impactful events of the 20th century. If you enjoy history, it is a must-read.

[Adriano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una historia desgarradora de inicio a fin, el Dr. Marcel Junod relata de una manera casi novelista su paso por diferentes países que sufrían los terribles efectos de la guerra (y muchas veces los incumplimientos del convenio de ginebra). Un libro que desde las primeras hojas no teme en mostrar tal y como es la guerra, desde el gas mostaza en la Etiopía hasta los deprimentes relatos de la hambruna en Grecia.