Out-Island Doctor

by Evans W. Cottman

Book by Evans W. Cottman

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

Reviews

[Seneca Faulkner · Rating 4 out of 5]

How wonderful it was to pick this book up at the Airbnb home we were staying at on the tiny Bahamian island, Hope Town, where my family lives. I’m not a quick reader, but I had my mind set on finishing this book the week we were there. What a great choice. It’s told so well. I enjoy the story itself. Sometimes you have s great story but a poor author, and sometimes you have a great author telling a not-so-interesting story. But this is both a great author telling an eventful, heart warming, and brain feeding story. Would recommend, even if just to have this sweet story tucked away in your mind; smiling any time you randomly remember it.

[Rory D · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favourites. Chronicles a Bahamas that has largely disappeared, but one which I have heard from my grand-parents and older relatives.

It is definitely written in the language of it's time, so keep that in mind- but I too have felt and seen the beautiful breeze of island shade; and I have also waited until 'day-clean'

[Alva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly engaging story about an American mid-career teacher who decided to change his life in an extraordinary way. Wonderful historic reminders of the early Bahama Islands, their people, their challenges, and how this one man set out to not only change his life but help others along the way.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book I read during medical school.

[Mike Jeglic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable autobiography that chronicles the transformation of a midwestern school teacher into a traveling Bahamian doctor. The Bahamas of the mid 20th century come alive.

[Sara McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my normal reading but a gripping story of adventure. He really rolls with the punches!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trials and tribulations of a guy giving medical care to islanders of the Bahamas. Never a dull moment!

[Brandon Allers · Rating 5 out of 5]

If a Western could be in the Caribbean this book fits the bill. I laymen sailing the Bahamas as a medical doctor. Direct and exotic, this is an oldie but a goodie!

[Rhonda Gregware · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this telling of the life of a man who became a doctor to the islanders.

[Katie]

Bahamas

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed every sentence of this book. It gave a well-told and unexpected picture of life in the Bahamas in the early to mid 20th Century, no doubt a different perspective than most could ever gain in this day and age without a lot of research. I had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman's daughter in Marsh Harbour and seeing the beautiful house, the "castle" that Mr. Cottman built high on the hill overlooking the turquoise Sea of Abaco—an adventure he chronicles in the sequel to this memoir, "My Castle in the Air: how a dream came true."

The story is just so captivating. Cottman leaves his midwest US home and life as a high school teacher to follow his search for adventure in the Bahamas, eventually finding himself "de doctuh" to many of the remote communities on out islands in the Bahamas. He ends up finding a wife and a whole new, unexpected life for himself just because he had the courage to leave behind a safe and mundane life.

A real-life adventure tale that is all the more exciting and charming because it is true.

[Jeralyn Lash-Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first copyright for this book was 1963. I din't read it until the '90's and since have both suggested others to read it, or given it as gifts - numerous times. It's am amazing true documentary-type story of the life of Evans W. Cottman, The Out-Island Doctor.

Mr. Cottman was originally from the U.S. He secured a Master's degree in biochemistry, but he never trained to be a doctor; it's just something he stumbled on while when "De Doctuh Done Reach" The Bahamas sometime in the '40's.

Told with humor and honesty, the reader enjoys an inside earful of the culture and the "language" enjoyed back then by the inhabitants of the outer islands of The Bahamas (Crooked Island, Andros, Abaco, Long Island, Nassau, etc.)

Just reminiscing about this story makes me want to take if off of my "A+" shelf and re-read it!

[Gerlinde]

A highly engaging autobiographical account of an Indiana high school science teacher with a MA in biochemistry, who disliked cold winters and ended up moving to the Bahamas in the early '40s. In the Bahamian out islands there were no doctors, and he found himself administering first aid, and ultimately much more medical help to the out islanders, who would line up on the beach anticipating his periodic rounds by sailing skiff and greeting him with excited shouts of "De doctuh done reach". This is a vivid view into the life of a part of a little-known part of the Bahamas at a time when almost no outsiders went there. Well written and interesting to read.

[Judy-Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-fiction, story of a high school math teacher, bored with his life who heads to the Bahamas in early 1930's or 40's. At that time you could become an out-island doctor without credentials. Fascinating to read all this man did for the out-islands of the Bahamas, the services he offered, sacrifices he made and nearly lost his own life. Really good read!

[Eleanore · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting memoir of the Caribbean from a unique slice of time on the verge of modernity.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly good read for a non-poet autobiography. Simply told story of his experiences in the Bahamas. Perhaps it's positively clouded by my having grown up in the tropics.

[Alice Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for people who have traveled in the Bahamas.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read about a teacher who retires to the Bahamas to work as a doctor.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3 Baha

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming story about a fascinating man. I would have loved to meet him in real life. Heck, I would have loved to live his life.

[Tbob3att.Net · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good true story of what life was really like coming to an unknown island knowing that's where you've wanted to be before you even arrived...
not a book club book, read it in Exuma

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, maybe a little biased as it is based in The Bahamas and mentions my Grandpa :)