No One’s Coming: The Rogue Heroes Our Government Turns to When There's Nowhere Else to Turn

by Kevin Hazzard

From the award-winning author of American Sirens and A Thousand Naked Strangers comes a real-life thriller about the most daring rescue in air-medical history.

JULY 2014. Two American medical volunteers who joined the fight against the deadliest Ebola outbreak in world history have gotten infected. The virus kills in just over a week and they’re trapped in a hot zone with the clock ticking. If there’s going to be a rescue it has to happen now.

The very notion of getting the patients out is a radical and dangerous idea. Bringing them home might cause an outbreak of Ebola here in the US. No one’s certain if it can or should be done or if they’ll even survive the flight. In fact, the only thing anyone can agree on is that there’s just one group of people resourceful enough (or crazy enough) to pull this off. Thousands of miles away and deep in the north Georgia mountains, a phone rings at Phoenix Air. It's the US government calling with another impossible mission.

Kevin Hazzard chronicles the ten frantic days that followed that phone call, dropping readers into the center of a first-of-its-kind international rescue. Phoenix Air, an eccentric band of engineers, pilots, and doctors with a reputation for doing things nobody else could, would become a lifeline to the world.

Terrifying, fascinating, and inspiring, No One’s Coming is a story of selfless heroes on both sides of the Atlantic who overcome the apathy and resistance of their own governments and communities, risking their lives to save others—once again proving that ordinary people are capable of overcoming the most extraordinary of problems. As contagions spring up around the world, this story of outbreaks and the people who fight them resonates more than ever.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Medical, Politics, Adventure, Contemporary

Audible Audio

First published March 3, 2026

About the author

Kevin Hazzard worked as a paramedic from 2004 to 2013, primarily at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. His freelance journalism has appeared in Atlanta Magazine, Marietta Daily Journal, Creative Loafing, and Paste. He is the author of a novel, Sleeping Dogs, and A Thousand Naked Strangers. He and his family live in Hermosa Beach, California.

~http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Sara Temba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got on my radar with a gushing recommendation on my favorite book podcast, Sarah's Bookshelves Live. I was able to snag a copy of the audiobook on Libby on its publication day and devoured the book in a few days.
This book had a lot going for it - the length was quite succinct for narrative nonfiction (just over 8 hours), the audiobook narrator was excellent and while it was very much a plot driven book I loved how the author highlighted and made you care about the various people in the story. The team in Liberia, the airline engineers, pilots, nurses and doctors were all so brave and skilled. It was "competence porn" at it's finest.
So granted, in the summer of 2014 I had a 1 year old and a 5 year old but I was pretty alarmed that I have no recollection of any of this. I definitely remember the ebola outbreak but these flights? No. Perhaps the last 10 years of Trump and Covid have erased my memories. I guess this was a positive in that I had no idea how this book was going progress which kept the tension high. it was all I could do to not Google about it. 😂
The book ended on such a touching high note and I immediately started googling everything. Relieved that only one guy in the book had his profile take an ethical nosedive over the last 12 years (in my opinion, I'll let y'all Google it yourself). The airline and its employees appear to continue to be as awesome as the book makes them out and I loved seeing photos of the planes and isolation pods. The one tiny romance storyline was confirmed as an happy-ever-after by the evidence of an old wedding registry still up on the internet. Warmed my romance reader heart. 🥰😆
Final verdict: 5 easy stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. Highly recommend for fans of
*gripping narrative nonfiction that reads like fiction
*books that take less that 9 hours/mid-300 pages
*competence porn
*Aerospace, infectious disease, healthcare, engineering

I can't wait to read Hazzard's other books!!

[Maureen Grigsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a riveting story about the rescue mission for Ebola survivors Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol in 2014. It is also about Phoenix Air, its founders, and the amazing staff who work for them. Like millions of others, I watched the planes land and listened to the incredible survival story, but never thought about what it took and who it took to bring them home. The book also showed the callousness and inhumanity of so many people who give their opinions out of sheer ignorance. Glad that we have books like this to show us true courage.

[Melodi | booksandchicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

One of my micro genres that I love is disease such as ebola. The spread, containment, and problems within is fascinating as well as devastating. I was very intrigued to give this one a try about getting doctors that were in Liberia and had contracted ebola, back to Atlanta for medical assistance. The book talks a bit about the airplane, Phoenix Air, and the obscure missions it has undertaken over the years. I actually felt like this story could have just been more of a magazine or newspaper article. The story is pretty fascinating but not all that long.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the gifted e-arc.

[Jake Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me want to go work for phoenix air. Bad ass

[Leanne Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
What a story, and one that occurred largely in my backyard! This is not only a fascinating book but an inspiring one. Hazzard covers the rescue from Liberia of two American doctors infected with Ebola. The primary focus is on Phoenix Air, the company out of Cartersville, GA who the government calls on for the most dangerous, seemingly impossible missions, and their pilots, doctors, and owners. However, he also introduces us to others involved in this work, including professionals at Emory, Grady, and the CDC, as well as mechanics, mid-level bureaucrats, and military officers whose expertise and bravery make these kinds of missions possible. This is super fast paced and entertaining and truly a story not to be missed.

[Lorien Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating inside account of the rescue mission to evacuate 2 American physicians who contracted Ebola in ground zero.

[em · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a chronicle of the indomitable human spirit and people’s willingness to be brave when it counts (in many ways).

i really enjoyed the weaving of lives this book told. it went beyond just the mission. i think it would make an outstanding biopic. like i said in one of my updates, it was kind of trippy to read a book about an event that i was alive for and aware of. i vividly remember talking about ebola - at home, at school, at church… this book made me reminisce and reconsider what my own reaction was. i remember the news stories. i remember the distasteful jokes. i don’t remember my own reaction. was i part of the crowd that was fueled by fear? was i against bringing the americans home? was i on the opposite side? the side of compassion? was i uninterested and un-opinionated? i can’t remember. but i think the experiences described within this novel will be carried with me to future reactions. i hope so.

[Anne Altman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a big nonfiction reader, particularly narrative nonfiction, but this story and its incredibly high reviews, made me want to give it a try. This was fascinating! This is probably the first book I’ve read in which I understood when people say “nonfiction that reads like fiction.” This is a story I knew nothing about and frankly didn’t have much interest in, but the way in which the story was presented and the details unveiled had me absolutely hooked. I learned so much about contagious diseases like Ebola, medical aviation, and the importance of empathy in everything. Couldn’t recommend it more.

[britt_brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the air med crews who evacuated Ebola patients when no one else dared to. True heroism. Major takeaway: if we don’t send medics to treat these diseases, the diseases will run absolutely rampant through those countries and beyond. Fascinating.

Shout out to Sarah’s Book Shelves Live (pod) for the rec!

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like nonfiction that reads like a thriller, this book is for you. It will likely be one of my favorites of the year.

It tells the story of the rescue of two American doctors during the 2014 Ebola crisis—but more importantly, it highlights a company and its people who stepped up to do what no one else would. Their actions were widely criticized and even protested, yet they moved forward because they knew it was the right thing to do.

In a world that is increasingly politicized, this story is a powerful reminder of something that has long defined the United States: the commitment to bring its people home, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.

[Rachel Regal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

📖 In a sentence: When two American medical missionaries contract Ebola while working at a clinic in Liberia, a small, largely unknown U.S. company steps in to figure out how to bring them home, sparking massive public and ethical controversy.

👀 What kept me turning the pages: Short chapters and engaging writing that genuinely reads like fiction.

🔥 What stood out: I was in a serious reading slump and picked this up as a break from fiction, and it completely worked. I was hooked almost immediately. The author keeps the pacing tight without getting lost in technical details, and gives just enough background on the people involved to make the story feel human without slowing it down. It raises a lot of fascinating ethical and societal questions about disease containment, public fear, political risk, and what it means to intervene when there’s no precedent. Fast, thriller-adjacent, and perfect for book club discussion.

⚠️ What didn’t quite land: Honestly, very little. I finished with a lot of curiosity and ended up Googling more details afterward, but I wouldn’t count that against the book- it probably would’ve hurt the pacing if everything were spelled out on the page.

🎯 Recommendation: A great pick for readers who like nonfiction that reads like fiction, enjoy grappling with medical and ethical dilemmas, and love stories about ordinary people stepping up to do extraordinary things.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Ebola outbreak and 2 sick United States doctors who need to come home for treatment. However, the standing rule is stay where you are and do not bring deadly viruses home. The incredible crew of Phoenix Air had to figure out how they are going to transfer critically ill patients across the ocean without infecting the crew and the medical staff on board. Their creative thinking and problem solving as well as a lot of trial and error enabled one of the craziest-never-before -rescues to take place. And then let’s not forget the unwillingness of state and local governments to let their plane land, or give them a bed a an infectious disease hospital. Roadblock after roadblock and this team proved they could accomplish the impossible.
Phoenix Air put themselves at tremendous risk, endured long days and endless flights, walked into a hot zone protected by nothing but PPE they’d bought at Home Depot, faced a scared country, were ostracized by their neighbors and hounded by the media. When someone needed help, Phoenix Air was the team that showed up.

[John Hewlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so first off. 4 stars. It was a fast pace thrilling ride. Very entertaining read. Here's the rub on this though; I viewed it through a different lens than most readers because I am both a biologist that focuses on infectious diseases and I am also a professional pilot. There were some inaccuracies on the aviation side with some misuse of terminology... And there's no way a chunk of Uranium was pinging geiger counters in Bangor 6 miles out. In fact in reality if the geiger counter were pinging from across the airport even, the pilots etc would have gotten a lifetime dose on their transatlantic crossing... That just didn't happen. Second, it was getting a little Richard Preston-ish on the epidemiology side at times.

BUT.... these little things do not in any way change what was done. etc. It's an amazing story and Kevin Hazzard is a great writer.

[Ayla Huhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in 2014, the US- or more technically a small flight company the US government desperately reached out to- flew home two Americans sick with Ebola. The virus at that time had a mortality rate of 90%. A simple byline, which this book fleshes out to be the most insane story I’ve read all year.

I can’t believe I’m saying it, but this book made me feel patriotic- albeit for a select group of people 12 years ago. Everyone should read the story 100000%.

I am also deeply impressed at the dedication of healthcare workers in Africa taking care of very sick contagious people day in a day out. Truly, nothing is more impressive to me.

[Zehava (Joyce) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many of the people reviewing this book on Goodreads, I found this book when Sarah from Sarah’s Bookshelves Live raved about it on her podcast. Sarah is particularly good at highlighting lesser known books that she loves and giving them a lot of publicity.
This book is an extremely propulsive true story about one small private aircraft company and its employees, who were willing to put their lives on the line to save American health care workers infected with the Ebola virus in West Africa. The way the book highlighted the stories of the individuals, down to the smallest details of their lives, reminded me a lot of The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett Graff, which is definitely one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. This book is for anyone that loves a true story that is as gripping as any thriller and just as hard to put down.

[Heather Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
Phoenix Air is an airline like no other. A band of eccentric, cowboy-esque group of pilots, engineers, and medical personnel, willing to take on the jobs no one else will. The more dangerous the task, the quicker they put up their hand to volunteer. But when they are asked to rescue American medical volunteers who have contracted the deadly Ebola virus during their service in Liberia, they are tasked with maybe the most impossible rescue yet.

This is a fast-paced, propulsive narrative non-fiction that reads like a thriller. From the inception and adventures to the minute-by-minute rescue where the deadliest disease is running rampant, you can't get enough of this story. Nail-biting, page-turning, cleaning out the junk drawer so you can listen to one more hour! It makes you ask if what they were doing was right. If you were brave enough to do. And what makes up a person who selflessly gives of themselves for the safety of others? A top book of the year so far, and more people need to read it.

[Heidi Mussoline]

I remember watching “Outbreak” in my 8th grade science class and being legit terrified of Ebola ever since. I have a vague memory of hearing about the Ebola outbreak and feeling afraid to fly or afraid of it spreading. These people are heroes - my favorite part of the whole book was when the daughter of one of the pilots said, even amidst her fear of her dad being near Ebola, that she would want other people to rescue him if he was dying in another country, so she wanted him to go, too. So beautiful!

[Emily Loomis Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. I was all in every word and in the end I even cried, dammit.
I appreciated that the author clearly addressing the racial disparities in healthcare, even if it was brief, and will definitely consider reading his other works like “American Sirens” about the first black paramedics.
I was disappointed to find out (in a Google search) that one of the “heroes” in this book, William Walters, went on to support Trump’s immigration policies, but I guess that speaks to the complexity of humans and politics.

[Yuting · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does not work for me. The social commentary parts that I like pops up sporadically in the audiobook and last for less than 10min, then the “boring” journal of technical/medical/bureaucratic procedures comes back.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Sarah Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting. I was in and out of Uganda between two Ebola out breaks during 2012 and honestly had no clue as to the severity of it. This book is so well written; I couldn’t stop listening.

[Connor Mowatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super gnarly story. Did not expect to get so hooked on this book. Fun read

[Elly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend the book to those more interested in the logistics rather than the medical aspect. Really sad how people's fear keeps others from getting the care they need. Shocking how people were even afraid to touch the plane or let it land. Worth a read

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like a very good mystery, drawing you into the drama of the week spent rescuing two American health workers from their work in Liberia where they had contracted Ebola in 2014. Wondering what the outcome would be, and how the rescue mission could possibly overcome all the obstacles.

[Dino · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been a long article in the Atlantic.

2.5 stars

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating

[Logan Kedzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

At face value, this is a rip-roaring adventure book of hard men doing impossible things for the impossibility of it. Here, a band of pirates turned pilots decide to start flying explosives because everyone else is doing it wrong, which develops into a business model of doing the impossible. And when Ebola strikes Liberia, and puts two of our boys (n.b. - one is a girl) in danger from the deadly virus, its this oddball crew of risk-loving flyers who have the tools and the grit to go into the face of danger and try to effect a transit of the sick medical staff to the United States, where they might - might - get sufficient treatment to survive the incurable disease.

It starts like America **** Yeah: the Novelization. And it is. Until the Americans show up. Not those Americans, the other Americans. The xenophobic NIMBYs who want nothing to do with our protagonists, who know nothing of the place of heroism or sacrifice, who shirk from wielding untested technology to save lives. Who can do nothing but post on social media and rubberneck. Lily-livered weaklings like...like...an Air Force Colonel.

And if there is a critical flaw in the book, it is here. The opposition to the project is framed as a nameless mass, with the phrase "Greek chorus" invoked repeatedly. There are only three (to my count) persons named out of the opposition. Most of the time it is afforded anonymity, with unsourced quotes allegedly coming from social media or newspaper editorials. To name and shame would have been nice, but more precisely the lack of any investigation of the opposition makes this not really history or journalism, and more of a screenplay precis. That it is a magazine article worth of material stretched to book length by the inclusion of every side story that relates to the people doing the Monrovia Job affirms this: there are even romance subplots. But look, it is a blast to read, so big whatever.

But at conclusion of the book, which pointedly subverts the subtitle in that they all quit unless they get government backing, is the cruel trick of this history. Though the book continues with the story unto today, and what they did during the COVID pandemic, this book represents a singular moment of American excellence never to be repeated. The current administration has dismantled USAID, kneecapped the CDC, withdrawn from the WHO. All the conditions that would create the situation in the first place do not exist.

It is a book about American Excellence that turns into a proof of its opposite, in that we have not affirmed the Big Damn Heroes of Phoenix Air and instead decided that the anonymous tweeters were the ones who were right, and proven weakness of the U.S. moral character. I did not expect that out of my real life adventures novel.

My thanks to the author, Kevin Hazzard, for writing the book, and to the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, for making the ARC available to me.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional! Fun! Unbelievable!