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Frontline: Stories of Care and Courage in Emergency Medicine
‘A brilliant insight into the forgotten heroes at the sharp end of humanitarian emergencies.’ Jon Snow, Channel 4 News Winner of a Pride of Manchester Lifetime Achievement Award This is a story of tireless hard work and astonishing bravery. Tony Redmond has deployed to wars, refugee crises, air crashes, earthquakes, typhoons, volcanoes, and disease outbreaks for over thirty years. Featuring tales of hope and redemption, as well as untold suffering and mismanagement, this raw, honest account could only have been written by someone who has for decades performed incredible feats of altruism. Frontline takes the reader from the wards of Manchester’s Nightingale hospital to Kosovo, from Sierra Leone’s Ebola outbreak to Lockerbie, and from Haiti to the Philippines. We find its author risking life and limb to help those affected by events beyond their control. But while humanitarian work and medicine require an innate goodness, not all those involved have benign motives. And saving lives requires difficult between the desire to relieve suffering and the need to weigh up the context. Too often medical aid is found wanting, doing more harm than good. How are life-or-death choices made in the heat of the moment? What are the consequences of your action, or inaction? Is it better at times to do nothing? How do you live with yourself if you want to help but can’t? This is a frank account of the personal toll ― physical, mental and social ― emergency medicine levies on those who choose to do it. But ultimately, Frontline offers a tale of optimism, persistence and triumph over adversity, speaking to the resilience and fortitude of those who help and those whose lives they save.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 16, 2021
19 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 14, 2024
Wow this was great! I just expected another medical memoire but it was actually much more than that. It didn’t focus as much on individual cases but it gives you raw & real behind the scenes of medical humanitarian work! Something that’s often called for as necessary but I had no idea how it actually works.
This book contained a life worth of humanitarian help, how it grew and got better, which struggles it had to overcome and still does.
Incredibly interesting, I totally recommend reading it!!
This book contained a life worth of humanitarian help, how it grew and got better, which struggles it had to overcome and still does.
Incredibly interesting, I totally recommend reading it!!
March 9, 2024
So impressive. What an outstanding professional humanitarian.
October 2, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, it was so informative and interesting to read Tony’s experiences.
It was both moving and informative to read this, the amount of dedication and passion that he put into his work was outstanding and humbling.
Everybody needs to read this and recognise how much he done for helping others.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, it was so informative and interesting to read Tony’s experiences.
It was both moving and informative to read this, the amount of dedication and passion that he put into his work was outstanding and humbling.
Everybody needs to read this and recognise how much he done for helping others.
February 21, 2023
Frontline by Dr Tony Redmond is a widely acclaimed book which depicts the stories of this heavily respected humanitarian hero in the most extreme of circumstances. A hugely interesting yet enriching read at the same time, Redmond puts forward a wide variety of morals and lessons that he learnt allowing his readers to share his experiences whilst he undertook work that has changed the lives of so many around the globe. From China to Bosnia-Herzegovina to here in the UK, he had done a huge variety of things and has often risked his life in the process to help others. Often becoming philosophical as well as political, Frontline is a heavily recommended read for anyone, not just medical enthusiasts.
One of Redmond’s main humanitarian projects was that in Sarajevo in BiH and Kosovo, where the Serbs and the Albanians were in conflict with each other. His team managed to open a hospital to care for the injured here, but every day came with its dangers, with there being many attacks and even within the hospital there as been conflict, with a Serb doctor receiving death threats from the rest of the Albanians working there. However, Redmond’s raw and honest account extends well beyond that of the issues of conflict. He details the cons of the media attention that his hospital has often received, with a widespread story of abandoned babies rife, when in reality the babies were kept there under strict regulation making sure that they were not released to a household they wouldn’t flourish in.
Redmond extensively discusses the human’s desire to do acts of altruism, which much admiration being nurtured from the reader for the writer who has been doing such acts for decades, as well as many of his colleagues who have similarly been doing such amazing things. Many lives have been saved and people have taken huge risks for others, even in earthquakes such as that in Indonesia where doctors remained stuck with their patients during the tremendous aftershocks that followed. However, there are issues with altruism, with unregistered people going off to help, despite originally good intentions. These people may cause more harm than good. Non-governmental organisations must send trusted people who know what they are doing to areas that need help. Shockingly, people in these torn zones have been observed to have been used as test subjects for doctors who have wanted to carry out research without any consent—shocking practices which must be put to a close at all costs.
In showcasing all his missions, Redmond keeps us updated about his state, whether it be his physical, mental, or social status. As the book progresses, we see a gradual decline in his health, with him suffering from heavy metal poisoning whilst in Sarajevo as well as a malaria bout later on. The heavy metal poisoning had huge long-term impacts, causing many health problems down the line due to their accumulation in the liver. However, the worst of his physical health issues came on his last international humanitarian mission when he broke his spine on a ship but heroically told nobody because he wanted the task to go to completion. Whether it was a risk worth taking is something that dwells in Redmond’s mind, with his injuries being millimetres from paralysis. He also focuses on the situation with family, with yet another dilemma coming into focus—whether risking his own life actually has a selfish element to it, because his young children at home and his wife need him.
With so much on the book being about international missions, Redmond is keen to emphasise how humanitarianism always starts at home. During the coronavirus crisis, the UK was in turmoil, and Redmond found himself in charge of the Manchester Nightingale Hospital which was built quickly as a response to the infection outbursts. An undoubtedly herculean effort, many lives were saved as a result but it didn’t come without its difficulties, including the fact that the hospital was built so late. It comes to show how humanitarianism isn’t about the effort of the individual human. Governments and organisations such as NGOs must work together. Altruism only truly comes in the form of unity and preparation and coordination. But the individual is important too—few of whom can do more for the world around them than the author of this masterpiece.
One of Redmond’s main humanitarian projects was that in Sarajevo in BiH and Kosovo, where the Serbs and the Albanians were in conflict with each other. His team managed to open a hospital to care for the injured here, but every day came with its dangers, with there being many attacks and even within the hospital there as been conflict, with a Serb doctor receiving death threats from the rest of the Albanians working there. However, Redmond’s raw and honest account extends well beyond that of the issues of conflict. He details the cons of the media attention that his hospital has often received, with a widespread story of abandoned babies rife, when in reality the babies were kept there under strict regulation making sure that they were not released to a household they wouldn’t flourish in.
Redmond extensively discusses the human’s desire to do acts of altruism, which much admiration being nurtured from the reader for the writer who has been doing such acts for decades, as well as many of his colleagues who have similarly been doing such amazing things. Many lives have been saved and people have taken huge risks for others, even in earthquakes such as that in Indonesia where doctors remained stuck with their patients during the tremendous aftershocks that followed. However, there are issues with altruism, with unregistered people going off to help, despite originally good intentions. These people may cause more harm than good. Non-governmental organisations must send trusted people who know what they are doing to areas that need help. Shockingly, people in these torn zones have been observed to have been used as test subjects for doctors who have wanted to carry out research without any consent—shocking practices which must be put to a close at all costs.
In showcasing all his missions, Redmond keeps us updated about his state, whether it be his physical, mental, or social status. As the book progresses, we see a gradual decline in his health, with him suffering from heavy metal poisoning whilst in Sarajevo as well as a malaria bout later on. The heavy metal poisoning had huge long-term impacts, causing many health problems down the line due to their accumulation in the liver. However, the worst of his physical health issues came on his last international humanitarian mission when he broke his spine on a ship but heroically told nobody because he wanted the task to go to completion. Whether it was a risk worth taking is something that dwells in Redmond’s mind, with his injuries being millimetres from paralysis. He also focuses on the situation with family, with yet another dilemma coming into focus—whether risking his own life actually has a selfish element to it, because his young children at home and his wife need him.
With so much on the book being about international missions, Redmond is keen to emphasise how humanitarianism always starts at home. During the coronavirus crisis, the UK was in turmoil, and Redmond found himself in charge of the Manchester Nightingale Hospital which was built quickly as a response to the infection outbursts. An undoubtedly herculean effort, many lives were saved as a result but it didn’t come without its difficulties, including the fact that the hospital was built so late. It comes to show how humanitarianism isn’t about the effort of the individual human. Governments and organisations such as NGOs must work together. Altruism only truly comes in the form of unity and preparation and coordination. But the individual is important too—few of whom can do more for the world around them than the author of this masterpiece.
September 27, 2021
A thoroughly informative and interesting journey into the world of humanitarian healthcare and the live and work of an extraordinary man and the many other exceptional individuals he has worked with over a stellar career simply doing good.
Tony's book takes us from wartorn Sarajevo to the Ebola stricken Sierra Leone, through to the medical shambles that was the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake and then to Manchester and the Covid-19 pandemic. Tony manages to tell an extremely personal story while also factoring in factual information (slightly too much at times but this is to be expected with the content and subject matter) and both praise and heavy criticism of poor humanitarian responses and the abject failure of particularly the UK government to Covid.
Moments of this book are genuinely moving and heartbreaking, while others are a fascinating look at how things work and don't work. I felt as though I learnt things from my reading and felt my beliefs in humanitarian responses challenged at times with experiences from the frontline. Tony writes with obvious passion and knowledge, crafting stories that draw the reader in and finish with teachable advice that will certainly stay with me well after I have finished.
All doctors should have to read this and follow the examples set out by Tony who can be described as a genuinely good person. Reading as a non-medical individual is just as useful and you will leave this book feeling full and better.
Tony's book takes us from wartorn Sarajevo to the Ebola stricken Sierra Leone, through to the medical shambles that was the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake and then to Manchester and the Covid-19 pandemic. Tony manages to tell an extremely personal story while also factoring in factual information (slightly too much at times but this is to be expected with the content and subject matter) and both praise and heavy criticism of poor humanitarian responses and the abject failure of particularly the UK government to Covid.
Moments of this book are genuinely moving and heartbreaking, while others are a fascinating look at how things work and don't work. I felt as though I learnt things from my reading and felt my beliefs in humanitarian responses challenged at times with experiences from the frontline. Tony writes with obvious passion and knowledge, crafting stories that draw the reader in and finish with teachable advice that will certainly stay with me well after I have finished.
All doctors should have to read this and follow the examples set out by Tony who can be described as a genuinely good person. Reading as a non-medical individual is just as useful and you will leave this book feeling full and better.
October 19, 2021
This is an autobiography which centres on the work experiences of the author and mainly concentrates upon his outstanding contribution to medical relief at disasters, both natural and man-made. In the preface there is a little about his upbringing, but he comes over as a private and modest man who is happier in letting his record of achievements speak for themselves.
The one thing that shines through is his humanity. Here is a man who saw hardship in his formative years and has been determined to leave the world a better place than he found it as I am sure the legacy of what he has set up will bare testament. This book gives an insight into the frustrations and some of the danger in medical disaster relief work but is ultimately uplifting. If this book inspires others to follow in his footsteps but with eyes opened to the problems and dangers involved, then I'm sure he will be happier with that rather than fame.
Full review can be found on https://peterturnsthepage.wordpress.c...
I was sent an uncorrected proof for review purposes, many thanks to the author and publisher.
The one thing that shines through is his humanity. Here is a man who saw hardship in his formative years and has been determined to leave the world a better place than he found it as I am sure the legacy of what he has set up will bare testament. This book gives an insight into the frustrations and some of the danger in medical disaster relief work but is ultimately uplifting. If this book inspires others to follow in his footsteps but with eyes opened to the problems and dangers involved, then I'm sure he will be happier with that rather than fame.
Full review can be found on https://peterturnsthepage.wordpress.c...
I was sent an uncorrected proof for review purposes, many thanks to the author and publisher.
September 8, 2021
***ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.co.uk in return for an honest review ***
The autobiography of Dr. Tony Redmond is an informative book about his experiences on humanitarian missions carried out in disaster struck areas throughout the world. It is a stunning mix of factual information and harrowing personal experiences. From Sierra Leone to Sarajevo to Lockerbie each of the missions Dr Redmond attended as an emergency physician took it's mental and often physical toll. The stories of those affected are both heartwarming and harrowing.
The UK government has politicised many humanitarian missions, sending people to areas where they were not needed & not providing help to others where a real difference could have been made.
This was a real eye opener about how expectations are managed, sometimes exceeded and, unfortunately, sometimes left wanting.
An fantastic listen & one that I would definitely recommend.
The autobiography of Dr. Tony Redmond is an informative book about his experiences on humanitarian missions carried out in disaster struck areas throughout the world. It is a stunning mix of factual information and harrowing personal experiences. From Sierra Leone to Sarajevo to Lockerbie each of the missions Dr Redmond attended as an emergency physician took it's mental and often physical toll. The stories of those affected are both heartwarming and harrowing.
The UK government has politicised many humanitarian missions, sending people to areas where they were not needed & not providing help to others where a real difference could have been made.
This was a real eye opener about how expectations are managed, sometimes exceeded and, unfortunately, sometimes left wanting.
An fantastic listen & one that I would definitely recommend.
January 3, 2023
Tony Redmond walks you through all the hardships and challenges humanitarians face from the difficulties with care provision in resource poor settings, to maintaining impartiality in situations where being neutral bear impossible. Dr Redmond did a talk at my University and since then I have had my eyes opened to the world of humanitarian medicine it’s so much more than what the media explains it to be. His insight is invaluable; the book details many of the dangerous, life saving trips that he has experienced with each bringing lessons that are necessary to better how humanitarian medicine is conducted.
Dr Redmonds work through UKMED and it’s subsequent growth and development will last for years and we will look back at his work and the passion that he has put into it as the cornerstone of UK humanitarianism. This book has definitely inspired me and I hope it will do the same for other people too.
Dr Redmonds work through UKMED and it’s subsequent growth and development will last for years and we will look back at his work and the passion that he has put into it as the cornerstone of UK humanitarianism. This book has definitely inspired me and I hope it will do the same for other people too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2021
I found this a remarkable story about such an inspiring man. From this story we get a rare and eye opening insight into what the world knows very little about. The compassion and dedication is remarkable the whole way through this book. I felt as though I have learnt a great deal about things that I knew very little about. DR Tony Redmond is such an inspiration to the world and to me and I feel very honored to be able to shout out about his incredible work and life. There are parts to this book that are sad but that's life and we have to deal with these things as they come along, but the incredible work DR Tony has done is awe inspiring. A book that will stay with me and I would recommend it to many people.
March 19, 2022
A well written and interesting book. I found this book, insightful and informative. Some humans are so selfless and dedicated to helping others, we are lucky to have them. Equally I found it hard to read in places, as humans can cause so much destruction and heartache with needless wars. I found it especially hard to read at some points due to the current situation in Ukraine. However it was interesting to read, how humanitarian aid is given, by very brave and selfless people.
October 3, 2022
A really interesting story of Tony's career in some extreme settings all over the world.
For years Tony has been a doctor on the frontline in places such as Syria, dealing with the aftermaths of war situations across many countries all over the world. This was a very interesting read, and nice that there were personal stories of his own illnesses throughout this story, and how he overcame and fought to continue with his career despite his own troubles.
His success led him to become a leader for teams working in difficult situations and his bravery throughout all this is remarkable. Very informative and engaging read.
For years Tony has been a doctor on the frontline in places such as Syria, dealing with the aftermaths of war situations across many countries all over the world. This was a very interesting read, and nice that there were personal stories of his own illnesses throughout this story, and how he overcame and fought to continue with his career despite his own troubles.
His success led him to become a leader for teams working in difficult situations and his bravery throughout all this is remarkable. Very informative and engaging read.
April 25, 2023
this book introduced me to the world of healthcare in humanitarianism, an area i have had interest in for a while but not had the time to learn more about. dr redmond takes you through his various missions, and highlights the important chapters throughout the development of effcctive medical responses to national emergencies. it took me a while to comprehend the new language, but i thoroughly enjoyed learning.
September 14, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley UK and the publisher for an audiobook.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting hearing about the Doctor’s experiences particularly in times of war, countries stricken with poverty and politics.
I would recommend if you are interested in professionals experiences.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting hearing about the Doctor’s experiences particularly in times of war, countries stricken with poverty and politics.
I would recommend if you are interested in professionals experiences.
February 18, 2025
I found this book really insightful into the world of emergency medicine. Redmond has devoted so much of his life to the care of others. I previously had little knowledge of how humanitarian aid is delivered, and how ethics and politics influence these missions, however I now have a better understanding of this important work.
March 2, 2025
If you want to know how to run a medical war relief effort, this is the book for you. He has plenty to say about surgery disaster tourism and journalism disaster tourism. Horrifying idea of ppl doing surgery they are not qualified for, practicing.
September 23, 2021
Remarkable story / life / dr. ❤️
March 18, 2022
I really enjoyed this, I found it quite an emotional read.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
April 2, 2022
I truly adored this. An open look at humanitarian work, its intended and unintended consequences and the impact expert led humanity can have on the suffering of others.
February 7, 2024
Fascinating. What a true humanitarian.
I find it extraordinary listening to what people in these roles experience.
I find it extraordinary listening to what people in these roles experience.
February 3, 2025
An inspiring memoir of a truly remarkable man.
August 20, 2025
very thought provoking.
January 19, 2022
A fascinating read of what actually happened in the frontline of humanitarian work. Dr. Redmond led his international medical team to Philippine 8yrs ago when it’s massively damaged by the super typhoon Haiyan. With increasing trend of extreme weather around the globe in recent decade due to global warming, each one of us should do our part to live a greener life as what Jane Goodall advocated.
February 18, 2024
I have learned so much by reading this book about the politics of humanitarian aid at home and abroad. And perhaps most importantly that supporting official charities such as UKMed or MSF/Medicine without boarders is necessary and an important way for people who aren’t first responders to really get for people what they really need (not necessarily what we might want to send). Having these international teams trained as ready is an essential safeguard for us all (see Covid chapters).
The author shares his experiences of giving medical care during war, disaster and epidemic/pandemics at home and abroad. The book explores the moral, ethical and political challenges of meeting the needs of people who are often already disadvantaged through poverty and geographical location. The author has fought a hard battle of his own to ensure people are treated equally whatever the geographical, political or physical challenges. The later being an enormous sacrifice of his own health in the service of humanitarian aid. Coming to terms with his own physical disability resonates with me.
I highly recommend this book.
The author shares his experiences of giving medical care during war, disaster and epidemic/pandemics at home and abroad. The book explores the moral, ethical and political challenges of meeting the needs of people who are often already disadvantaged through poverty and geographical location. The author has fought a hard battle of his own to ensure people are treated equally whatever the geographical, political or physical challenges. The later being an enormous sacrifice of his own health in the service of humanitarian aid. Coming to terms with his own physical disability resonates with me.
I highly recommend this book.
February 18, 2024
I have learned so much by reading this book about the politics of humanitarian aid at home and abroad. And perhaps most importantly that supporting official charities such as UKMed or MSF/Medicine without boarders is necessary and an important way for people who aren’t first responders to really get for people what they really need (not necessarily what we might want to send). Having these international teams trained as ready is an essential safeguard for us all (see Covid chapters).
The author shares his experiences of giving medical care during war, disaster and epidemic/pandemics at home and abroad. The book explores the moral, ethical and political challenges of meeting the needs of people who are often already disadvantaged through poverty and geographical location. The author has fought a hard battle of his own to ensure people are treated equally whatever the geographical, political or physical challenges. The later being an enormous sacrifice of his own health in the service of humanitarian aid. Coming to terms with his own physical disability resonates with me.
I highly recommend this book.
The author shares his experiences of giving medical care during war, disaster and epidemic/pandemics at home and abroad. The book explores the moral, ethical and political challenges of meeting the needs of people who are often already disadvantaged through poverty and geographical location. The author has fought a hard battle of his own to ensure people are treated equally whatever the geographical, political or physical challenges. The later being an enormous sacrifice of his own health in the service of humanitarian aid. Coming to terms with his own physical disability resonates with me.
I highly recommend this book.
December 27, 2023
A stunning memoir by a noble and humble man.
The political and logistical nightmares of emergency medical aid was an eye opener and it will certainly make me think about how I support such aid in the future.
The political and logistical nightmares of emergency medical aid was an eye opener and it will certainly make me think about how I support such aid in the future.
August 9, 2022
Very interesting read
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews