Across the Wide Zambezi: A Doctor's Life in Africa

by Warren Durrant

A British GP, 39, unmarried sees advert in The British Medical Journal for a medical officer in West Africa. At the London office finds he is the only applicant. Flies out to Ghana, where he finds he is to be the sole doctor in area as big as an English county. He will do everything from major surgery to public health. This is to be the pattern of his life for the next twenty-two years. Work described and life of people, white and many characters. After 18 months returns home. Discovers Africa is in his blood. Goes to a mine hospital in Zambia. Life and people described. Safari to East Africa. Returns home after two years through Congo. Goes to Rhodesia. Appointed district medical officer. Civil war. Gunfight at the Troutbeck Inn. Peace. Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe. Romance. Marries matron. They have two children. Family life. Returns to England with family. This book describes much medical experience but is above all a human story, with many adventures and characters.

Genres: Africa

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2013

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good autobiography of a doctor in Africa

This book tells the life of an English doctor in Rhodesia. It is a very enjoyable telling, not only of his professional life, but includes some funny family incidents like this erstwhile honeymoon in Ghana as well as bestselling adventures in a hotel under a night attack by rebel forces.

[Lucy-Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting autobiographical account of a doctors life in Africa - some interesting stories :)