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A Doctor's Sword – How an Irish Doctor Survived War, Captivity and the Atomic Bomb
‘There followed a blue flash accompanied by a very bright magnesium-type flare … Then came a frighteningly loud but rather flat explosion, which was followed by a blast of hot air … All this was followed by eerie silence.’
So Cork doctor Aidan MacCarthy described the explosion of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki in August 1945, just over a mile from where he was trembling in a makeshift bomb shelter in the Mitsubishi POW camp. This is the compelling story of the wartime adventures of Dr Aidan MacCarthy, who survived the evacuation at Dunkirk, burning planes, sinking ships, jungle warfare and appalling privation as a Japanese prisoner of war. It is a story of survival, forgiveness and humanity at its most admirable.
So Cork doctor Aidan MacCarthy described the explosion of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki in August 1945, just over a mile from where he was trembling in a makeshift bomb shelter in the Mitsubishi POW camp. This is the compelling story of the wartime adventures of Dr Aidan MacCarthy, who survived the evacuation at Dunkirk, burning planes, sinking ships, jungle warfare and appalling privation as a Japanese prisoner of war. It is a story of survival, forgiveness and humanity at its most admirable.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 20, 2019
What an amazing story of survival and humanity of an Irish Doctor who survived war, captivity and the atomic bomb.
I came across this book while listening to the author's interview on radio and found the story fascinating and I sourced a copy the next day.
Aidan MacCarthy was from Castletownbere, a small fishing town on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork, he studied medicine and became a doctor and while praticing in England he volunteered and went off to War looking for an adventure. His story is inspirational and uplifting from beginning to end and his suffering,endurance and bravery makes this book quite a gripping read.
Packed full of photos, maps and illustrations this is a riveting and vivid read which I could not put down. Well written factual and educational and I came away from this one feeling I had gained an insight into a horrible time in history.
Aidan MacCarthy's description of the atomic bomb explosion above Nagasaki in August 1945
(Excerpt from inside cover). There followed a blue flash accompanied by a very bright magnesium type flare..... then came a frighteningly loud but rather flat explosion, which was followed by a blast of hot air, All this was followed by an eerie silence.
I really enjoyed learning about Aidan's life before, during and after the war and Christopher Reeve's quote HERO came to my mind on finishing this book.
HERO......is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to presevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
I came across this book while listening to the author's interview on radio and found the story fascinating and I sourced a copy the next day.
Aidan MacCarthy was from Castletownbere, a small fishing town on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork, he studied medicine and became a doctor and while praticing in England he volunteered and went off to War looking for an adventure. His story is inspirational and uplifting from beginning to end and his suffering,endurance and bravery makes this book quite a gripping read.
Packed full of photos, maps and illustrations this is a riveting and vivid read which I could not put down. Well written factual and educational and I came away from this one feeling I had gained an insight into a horrible time in history.
Aidan MacCarthy's description of the atomic bomb explosion above Nagasaki in August 1945
(Excerpt from inside cover). There followed a blue flash accompanied by a very bright magnesium type flare..... then came a frighteningly loud but rather flat explosion, which was followed by a blast of hot air, All this was followed by an eerie silence.
I really enjoyed learning about Aidan's life before, during and after the war and Christopher Reeve's quote HERO came to my mind on finishing this book.
HERO......is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to presevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
February 4, 2024
This is an amazing story of an Irish doctor during World War II. It is comparable to (and IMO a bit better than) Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken. The RAF doctor, Aidan MacCarthy, ended up in a Japanese POW camp. There the comparison to Louis Zamperini ends. MacCarthy's war experience began with a harrowing escape from France at Dunkirk. It ended with his release from prison in Nagasaki after the atomic bomb struck. He credited his survival to his Christian faith and dumb luck.
The writing style is crisp and clear. This was a pleasant surprise. Many books I've read from small publishers are a bit rough. The author, Bob Jackson, however, is clearly a professional.
I found this book on the Goodread's list "Books With a Goodreads Average Rating of 4.5 and above and With At Least 100 Ratings". It definitely deserves a place on this list and I'm adding my vote for it.
The writing style is crisp and clear. This was a pleasant surprise. Many books I've read from small publishers are a bit rough. The author, Bob Jackson, however, is clearly a professional.
I found this book on the Goodread's list "Books With a Goodreads Average Rating of 4.5 and above and With At Least 100 Ratings". It definitely deserves a place on this list and I'm adding my vote for it.
March 2, 2021
This book goes into the details of life as a POW captured by the Japanese. It's fairly easy to read, though there are more than a few mistakes in words, including a quote, and punctuation. One example is the use of "banjo" instead of the correct "benjo". I was familiar with the history of the War, so none of that was new for me. The story seems to somewhat idealize Doctor MacCarthy. I'm also wondering what the difference is between the book written by Jackson and MacCarthy's original memoir. Sometimes Jackson didn't seem to know (or at least put in context) some aspects of Japanese history and culture. One example is the small food rations for POWs during a time when the Japanese population was also starving--not that I'm trying to make any excuses for the Japanese military's terrible treatment of POWs. Overall, it is an interesting story of MacCarthy.
November 2, 2022
Amazing Story of an Amazing Man! An Insight into the life of a True World War II Hero and Survivor!
This is a unique, inspiring, and riveting biography of a young Irish doctor focusing on his experiences during WWII (miraculously surviving Dunkirk to Nagasaki ). I was privileged to be able to visit MacCarthy's Pub, meet his daughters, and see the famous sword.
This is a unique, inspiring, and riveting biography of a young Irish doctor focusing on his experiences during WWII (miraculously surviving Dunkirk to Nagasaki ). I was privileged to be able to visit MacCarthy's Pub, meet his daughters, and see the famous sword.
May 2, 2020
The most surprising thing about this story, is how little it is known. A story of supreme courage in extreme circumstances.
MacCarthy survived the Dunkirk evacuation, a burning ammunition store to save wounded, a prisoner of the Japanese, and most startlingly the nuclear bomb dropped on Nagasaki. A compelling story of an ordinary man's incredible life. When he returned from the war, he remained in the RAF, and supported other returned prisoners come to terms with their experiences.
This account, based largely on MacCarthy's own account, he is often relatively matter of fact about his own experiences, whilst recognising the suffering of those around him, his own efforts to relieve them are understated. Bob Jackson does an excellent job of drawing the out, and helping to give them the proper recognition they warrant.
This is a well recommended book, not just for those with an interest in the war, but also the study of humanity.
MacCarthy survived the Dunkirk evacuation, a burning ammunition store to save wounded, a prisoner of the Japanese, and most startlingly the nuclear bomb dropped on Nagasaki. A compelling story of an ordinary man's incredible life. When he returned from the war, he remained in the RAF, and supported other returned prisoners come to terms with their experiences.
This account, based largely on MacCarthy's own account, he is often relatively matter of fact about his own experiences, whilst recognising the suffering of those around him, his own efforts to relieve them are understated. Bob Jackson does an excellent job of drawing the out, and helping to give them the proper recognition they warrant.
This is a well recommended book, not just for those with an interest in the war, but also the study of humanity.
April 30, 2020
This is a phenomenal book & story that deserves so much more recognition than it has gathered so far.
With all due respect, I hadn’t expected much more than an intriguing read of another standard documentary book - Full of facts, but lacking in narrative. I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong.
A fascinating story about an incredible man. The familiar setting of WW2 but from the unfamiliar perspective of the Pacific front. Fact filled, with a wonderful selection of accompanying photographs & illustrations. This book really has it all, being an educational, action packed & emotional read.
Despite my best efforts to stay studying for my university exams starting next weeks, this story kept me coming back until I’d devoured it over 3 nights in the middle of my study week.
10/10, I’d highly recommend this book to anyone.
With all due respect, I hadn’t expected much more than an intriguing read of another standard documentary book - Full of facts, but lacking in narrative. I’ve never been so happy to be proven wrong.
A fascinating story about an incredible man. The familiar setting of WW2 but from the unfamiliar perspective of the Pacific front. Fact filled, with a wonderful selection of accompanying photographs & illustrations. This book really has it all, being an educational, action packed & emotional read.
Despite my best efforts to stay studying for my university exams starting next weeks, this story kept me coming back until I’d devoured it over 3 nights in the middle of my study week.
10/10, I’d highly recommend this book to anyone.
July 27, 2017
An inspiring story
After recently vacationing in the Beara Peninsula my wife and I stopped for lunch at a pub in Castletownbere. I read an interesting article on the wall about the doctor. The owner, who was the doctor's daughter, came over and gave us more information. I then purchased the book and thoroughly enjoyed reading about his experiences. This book is definitely worth a read.
After recently vacationing in the Beara Peninsula my wife and I stopped for lunch at a pub in Castletownbere. I read an interesting article on the wall about the doctor. The owner, who was the doctor's daughter, came over and gave us more information. I then purchased the book and thoroughly enjoyed reading about his experiences. This book is definitely worth a read.
May 12, 2025
An incredible story of survival about an Irish RAF doctor, Dr Aidan MacCarthy, captured and interned by the Japanese in Indonesia. The story is too extraordinary to compress into a short review. It is so gripping I'm surprised it hasn't been made into a movie. The author was involved in making a documentary about him. I couldn't put it down.
January 27, 2018
I would give this book 6 stars if I could. It's a fantastic, thrilling and moving account of a terrible time in our history. it documents the best and worst of human nature and ends with an ambiguous view of the 20th century's most devastating weapon to be used in wartime: the Atomic Bomb.
July 21, 2018
Fine nonfiction adventure book describing Dr. Aidan MaCarthy's experiences during WW2. Best read after reading the Dr's autobiography. I've been to Castletownebere Ireland many times and have held the sword and cup in MaCarthy's Bar, also the subject of Peter McCarthy's book of the same name.
September 14, 2017
Superb!
Great story, all the better for being factual. You couldn't make it up! Very well written too. Kudos to B Jackson!
Great story, all the better for being factual. You couldn't make it up! Very well written too. Kudos to B Jackson!
December 1, 2017
Loved this book , gripping such an amazing person....
March 4, 2018
Fabulous book. Unbelievable how he survived...Best read in years.
June 11, 2018
Excellent book but not to be confused with Aidan McCarthy's own superior book A Doctor's War.
August 28, 2018
absolutely loveeed this book - was totally blown away by it..
what a man, his ambition, his strength, his survival instinct.. left me wanting to know more
what a man, his ambition, his strength, his survival instinct.. left me wanting to know more
March 23, 2019
A great read 👍
September 3, 2020
An incredible story about an inspiring man, I highly recommend this book
September 22, 2020
Heard a bit of the story on the radio, looked it up and found the book. A journey through WW2 with one man from Cork. From London, to dunkirk and ending up in Japan.
September 28, 2021
terrifying but gripping account of survival, somehow. witness to the a-bomb.
November 27, 2022
brilliant
Wow! That is an amazing story.
He was an amazing person. Read that in 1 go.
It is a “must read”
Wow! That is an amazing story.
He was an amazing person. Read that in 1 go.
It is a “must read”
July 7, 2023
A superb account of a
March 27, 2025
Brilliant read. Such a crazy story and to think he came from Cork.
May 14, 2025
Amazing story, well told, of a Beara doctor who joined the RAF, became a POW in Japan and witnessed the Atomic Bomb explosion in Nagasaki.
May 15, 2024
Really fascinating biography of a young Cork doctor, his life and mostly his experiences as a POW in WWII. He was at Dunkirk in 1940 and was a POW in Nagasaki when the second A bomb was dropped there. Riveting though shocking and depressing at times. Recommended.
December 27, 2016
Amazing story, well told. Also very clear readable history of WW2 Japan.
July 24, 2020
Incredible brilliant read
February 20, 2018
An incredible life, an incredible story.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews