Norman Bethune

Extraordinary Canadians

by Adrienne Clarkson

The stormy and inspirational life of a Canadian doctor who is a hero in China. Honoured as a hero in China, Ontario-born Norman Bethune was a surgeon, medical innovator, and charismatic political activist who deployed his skills on the battlefields of Spain and China in the 1930s. His prodigious energy included inventing surgical instruments, mobile blood-transfusion units, teaching, and advocating for social justice at home and abroad. Adrienne Clarkson, a Chinese Canadian, has always been fascinated by the dynamic man who married his social conscience to his medical mission. Reviled as a Communist by some, revered as a humanitarian by others, Bethune was a complicated, inspirational figure who lived and loved on a large canvas.

Genres: History, Canada, Biography, Nonfiction

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was listening to CBC radio's Rewind last week while driving home from Gravenhurst. Michael Enright was sharing stories and coverage about Norman Bethune. One was an interview with Adrienne Clarkson, who had written a short book on the man. After hearing the program I was intrigued to find out more and was surprised to find I could borrow her book online immediately.
Clarkson did her research and filled this short book (120 pages) with excerpts from Bethune's letters, letters from other people in his life, as well as quotes from Bethune biographers. She shares an unbiased and extremely interesting account about the man. She writes well and is easy to read.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about this amazing Canadian hero.

[Mark Konrad]

I really hated reading this book! While it should have been interesting, the author managed to bore me. If i were not in a book club reading this book- i would have never finished it. The author takes what should have been an interesting subject and drains all the life out of it.

[Dasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Considering this work is part of a larger collection that aims to celebrate "extraordinary Canadians" my expectations were low and yet Clarkson's work somehow still disappointed me. Yes, she takes a more critical lens to Bethune's legacy. Yet, she ends up replicating the exact heroic narrative she aims to critique. Her discussion of Bethune's on again off again wife, Frances Penney, was honestly deplorable - calling her boring and not interesting and completely removing her narrative, agency, and importance that Ted Allan emphasized in his 1952 work (especially considering he worked alongside Penney for his book Clarkson's dehumanization of her is extra shocking!). Read Stewart & Stewart's Phoenix for a more up-to-date and worthwhile Bethune retelling.

[Fern Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Adrienne Clarkson's writing and I enjoyed learning more about this interesting man, whom many disparagingly called a Communist. Actually he freely admitted to communist, socialist really, beliefs. He served as a physician in seven different wars, and believed very much in universal access to medicine. He died at only 49 but with a proud legacy.

[Andree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an interesting read and life, and one I knew shockingly little about, all things considered. A brief and succinct little book providing what feels like a fairly reasonable overview of a life. I did find there may have been a few too many letters.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

After years of driving on hwy 11 and passing Bethune drive, I enjoyed reading about Norman Bethune. His father was a minister and tney moved alot but he attended high school in Owen Sound!!

[Maryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, part of the Extraordinary Canadian series, provide a taut, informative account of the life of Norman Bethune. Born in 1890, Bethune is best known for his medical work in China over a 20 month period 1938-39 and his pioneering work in the creation of the first mobile blood-transfusion unit in the Spanish Civil War. An irascible, demanding, man he alienated almost all who all who worked closely with him but his creative, passionate mission to ease human suffering drove him to overcome barriers and resulted in a strong legacy. I recently visited the Bethune museum in Gravenhurst and was impressed by the presence of Chinese staff and many Chinese visitors. For many years Chinese students were required to memories the eulogy written for him by Mao Zedong. Truly an extraordinary Canadian.

[Bob Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Norman Bethune’ is a most interesting biography of a great man. Not only did he become a hero to a billion and a half Chinese, he also initiated medical practices in the 1920s and 30s that are still used (more or less) today. Of personal interest to me were a number of events in his life that intersected with places I have known. He was born and spent his childhood in Gravenhurst; the high school from which he graduated was Owen Sound Collegiate (now OSCVI) where he is still pictured on sports teams; his tuberculosis was treated at the Calydor Sanatorium in Gravenhurst.

[Trudy Jaskela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extensive research resulting in what I believe to be a good analysis of Bethune's character, his reputation, and his experience.
A bombastic individual, a rebel, a pulmonary surgeon, a loner, not a team player, passionate about his work. Believed in health for all. A Canadian disliked in Canada. Never recognized for setting up the 1st Blood Bank in the world. A hero in China. Millions of Chinese have visited Gravenhurst, his home town.

[Neil Mudde · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is very interesting, to think he did not live too long,yet he became a hero in the eyes, and history of the Chinese People
I was impressed by the depth of information Ms Clarkson has given, yet it comes accross as a warm look into another person's life, it actually wanted to know more, his relationship with women, was peculiar.
This book needs to be part of our Canadian History.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars is a more accurate rating.
Norman Bethune was a surgeon who was a hero in Spain and China, but who is little known in his home country.
While Adrienne Clarkson does acknowledge the faults in Norman Bethune, the writing is often times too apologetic and defensive of traits like his misogyny.
Despite shortcomings in his personality, he made astounding professional contributions.

[Jeffrey Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Bethune is underrated, at least within Canada. He was hardcore. Interesting read.

[Raimo Wirkkala · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview of the subject but for a more definitive work, check out Phoenix: The Life of Norman Bethune by Sharon & Roderick Stewart.

[Smooth Herman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a very detailed book and the co-author, Norman Bethune himself, is noticeably uncredited.