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Life and Death Decisions
I found Dad dead on the side of a dirt road. I was sixteen; he was forty-nine.After Lachlan McIver’s father suffers a sudden, fatal heart attack it sends him into a spiral of grief and outrage. This tragedy inspires him to become a doctor and he eventually finds his calling – providing care for communities in some of the most remote and neglected parts of the world.In this no-holds-barred memoir, Lachlan recounts his experiences treating patients and tackling health problems across dozens of countries, from rural communities around Australia and the islands of the South Pacific, through natural disasters and civil war zones, to the headquarters of the World Health Organization and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) in Switzerland.Lachlan is forced to confront not only the frustrations of trying to provide medical care in extremely under-resourced environments, but broader crises such as health inequities, climate change and drug-resistant infections. He also faces his own personal battles, including with depression, alcohol abuse and bankruptcy.This is a deeply human look at the personal cost of our broken global health system, and how we must work together to change it for the better. It’s what we need right now.
Paperback
First published September 1, 2022
16 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Lachlan McIver
1 book9 followersDr Lachlan McIver MBBS MPH&TM PhD JCC(Anaes) FACRRM FACTM FAFPHM is a medical doctor, writer, activist and musician.
Lachlan specialises in rural & remote medicine, tropical medicine and public health, and has a PhD in global health. Originally from Millaa Millaa in Far North Queensland, Australia, his travels to date have spanned almost one hundred countries. Lachlan has treated patients in some of the most isolated, volatile, resource-deprived communities on the planet, while grappling with complex health challenges such as climate change and antibiotic resistance.
He has co-authored close to fifty scientific publications in medical journals and textbooks on topics ranging from environmental health and infectious diseases to anaesthetics and emergency medicine. He is an adjunct Associate Professor at James Cook University in Australia and the co-founder of the international non-profit organisation Rocketship Pacific Ltd, which focuses on improving health in Pacific island countries through stronger primary care.
Lachlan and his wife live in Switzerland, where he is the Tropical Diseases & Planetary Health Advisor at the Geneva headquarters of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). In his spare time, Lachlan writes and records cheeky, ironic punk-rock music in his basement under the pseudonym The Serpent’s Nest.
His first book, Life and Death Decisions, an explosive memoir that combines Lachlan’s personal journey with an urgent call to arms for action on some of the greatest but neglected health crises of our time, had its fuse lit set for ignition in September 2022.
Lachlan specialises in rural & remote medicine, tropical medicine and public health, and has a PhD in global health. Originally from Millaa Millaa in Far North Queensland, Australia, his travels to date have spanned almost one hundred countries. Lachlan has treated patients in some of the most isolated, volatile, resource-deprived communities on the planet, while grappling with complex health challenges such as climate change and antibiotic resistance.
He has co-authored close to fifty scientific publications in medical journals and textbooks on topics ranging from environmental health and infectious diseases to anaesthetics and emergency medicine. He is an adjunct Associate Professor at James Cook University in Australia and the co-founder of the international non-profit organisation Rocketship Pacific Ltd, which focuses on improving health in Pacific island countries through stronger primary care.
Lachlan and his wife live in Switzerland, where he is the Tropical Diseases & Planetary Health Advisor at the Geneva headquarters of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). In his spare time, Lachlan writes and records cheeky, ironic punk-rock music in his basement under the pseudonym The Serpent’s Nest.
His first book, Life and Death Decisions, an explosive memoir that combines Lachlan’s personal journey with an urgent call to arms for action on some of the greatest but neglected health crises of our time, had its fuse lit set for ignition in September 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 27, 2022
This was a foray into non-fiction that made me remember how enthralling a genre it is.
I have had a long-held fascination with the medical sciences and couldn't wait to read this unusual insight into previously unknown territories (pardon the pun).
McIver writes a wonderfully engaging account of his studies and life as a doctor in Australia and far-reaching corners of the world.
I learnt so much about rural medicine, in deprived areas with little or no access to the services we take for granted.
Interestingly, McIver admits it wasn't his childhood dream to be a doctor, and fell upon the profession somewhat, but he finds a branch of medicine which inspires and at which he can excel.
McIver doesn't hold back- he writes with such honesty and frankness it's hard to read at times, but the interesting life McIver writes about keeps the readers gripped and hanging on to his every word.
His mission hits home- to raise awareness for the drastic gulf in medical care between wealthy and poorer countries and it is a harrowing read which I highly recommend.
I have had a long-held fascination with the medical sciences and couldn't wait to read this unusual insight into previously unknown territories (pardon the pun).
McIver writes a wonderfully engaging account of his studies and life as a doctor in Australia and far-reaching corners of the world.
I learnt so much about rural medicine, in deprived areas with little or no access to the services we take for granted.
Interestingly, McIver admits it wasn't his childhood dream to be a doctor, and fell upon the profession somewhat, but he finds a branch of medicine which inspires and at which he can excel.
McIver doesn't hold back- he writes with such honesty and frankness it's hard to read at times, but the interesting life McIver writes about keeps the readers gripped and hanging on to his every word.
His mission hits home- to raise awareness for the drastic gulf in medical care between wealthy and poorer countries and it is a harrowing read which I highly recommend.
August 16, 2022
What a fascinating life ( so far ) Dr Lachlan McIver ( call me Lach not Dr ) has had…..this book charts his family history ( succinctly and non boringly ) right through his career and I don't think anyone could have more intense experiences if they had tried
From a horrifying experience as a 15 year old to working all across The Pacific Islands through to Lebanon,DR Congo and Switzerland to name but a few and from training to be a Dr to taking up positions within the WHO and from treating a shark bite to a victim with an axe in their head it is all written in a very readable,chatty yet organised way
Lach is an advocate of teaching re Global Warming and how disease and illness has and is changing in the world ( especially in the Pacific Islands ) and how health care needs to change in these areas and indeed the wider world to be in tandem with the changes….again explained well and informatively
I liked that he hasn’t always been perfect ( who has? )) and he acknowledges this and writes about it and also his spiral into depression and how it affected him,it is a very honest and open look at his life and not all trumpets and glory,by any means
I was also surprised by the authors letter re his travel by aeroplanes and how this fits in with his work re Global Warming,this Dr takes his convictions VERY seriously and I respect him for that
A real eye opener of a read,no showing off,very down to earth and more than anything extremely readable
10/10
5 Stars
From a horrifying experience as a 15 year old to working all across The Pacific Islands through to Lebanon,DR Congo and Switzerland to name but a few and from training to be a Dr to taking up positions within the WHO and from treating a shark bite to a victim with an axe in their head it is all written in a very readable,chatty yet organised way
Lach is an advocate of teaching re Global Warming and how disease and illness has and is changing in the world ( especially in the Pacific Islands ) and how health care needs to change in these areas and indeed the wider world to be in tandem with the changes….again explained well and informatively
I liked that he hasn’t always been perfect ( who has? )) and he acknowledges this and writes about it and also his spiral into depression and how it affected him,it is a very honest and open look at his life and not all trumpets and glory,by any means
I was also surprised by the authors letter re his travel by aeroplanes and how this fits in with his work re Global Warming,this Dr takes his convictions VERY seriously and I respect him for that
A real eye opener of a read,no showing off,very down to earth and more than anything extremely readable
10/10
5 Stars
September 27, 2022
Wow, dinner parties would never be boring with Lachlan at the table would they? This was absolutely fascinating, eye opening and quite disturbing in places when talking about public health in some of the world's most impoverished areas.
Full of interesting stories from Lachlan's career, his personal life, current affairs and so much more, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
This is a book I would recommend everyone needs to read.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Full of interesting stories from Lachlan's career, his personal life, current affairs and so much more, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
This is a book I would recommend everyone needs to read.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 28, 2022
Wow what an insight into emergency tropical medicine.
Although I am not ignorant about climate change I had never really thought through the consequences of it on small islands somewhere I have never been. This really opened my eyes.
Loved the mix of serious medical content with amusing stories. Also identified with his feelings of darkness during his depressive episode.
What a heartfelt and inspiring story - would love to know what has happened and if he took up the post after covid.
Although I am not ignorant about climate change I had never really thought through the consequences of it on small islands somewhere I have never been. This really opened my eyes.
Loved the mix of serious medical content with amusing stories. Also identified with his feelings of darkness during his depressive episode.
What a heartfelt and inspiring story - would love to know what has happened and if he took up the post after covid.
Read
June 13, 2023Despite the blokiness, oversimplification and icky white saviour feel at times, it was gripping and inspiring with many audible gasp moments.
Favs:
• “I promise I’ll give him my time and the treasures of my mind”
• “Loneliness is a poison”
Favs:
• “I promise I’ll give him my time and the treasures of my mind”
• “Loneliness is a poison”
June 26, 2023
More than being a doctor and a global health advocate, Lachlan is an honest and kind human. What he has done with his life is something I can only read about and appreciate. I have immense respect for his ability to connect with people and see things from their perspective. I admire the brutal honesty with which he discusses the toll his passion for global health has taken on his mental and physical health.
January 19, 2023
One of the best Australian biographies that I have read in a while. What an adventurous, compassionate and empathetic young man.
September 23, 2022
An insightful, inspiring and alarming look at Public Health, in some of the most remote, challenging, and impoverished areas of the world, through the eyes of a medical expert - one who is both a fearless advocate for first-hand patient care, as well as a tireless advocate for environmental awareness and enhanced governance.
As Dr. Lachie McIver, a native of Queensland, Australia, takes us though his incredible personal journey of self-discovery, service and study, we are invited to follow his path, beginning in his youth and winding a crazily intense trail through numerous rural placements in areas such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Thailand, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Peru, Guatemala, the Congo, Sudan, and the Honduras.
As he is introduced to the practice of “frontier medicine” in jungles, rainforests, and remote islands of the South Pacific, Dr. Lachie’s focus on the clinical treatment of tropical and other rampant infectious diseases, - such as leprosy, measles, TB and cholera - is quickly compounded with a plethora of public health concerns. It is not long before it is apparent that a link can clearly be drawn between the ‘slowly and steadily warming, acidifying and rising oceans” (an outcome of global climate change) and the subsequent contamination of drinking water, patterns of pathogen transmission, weather, poverty, crops and ultimately, disease outbreaks. The greater challenge for Dr Lachie, unfortunately, is how, in each unique and specifically devastated environment, to plan for any sort of coordinated health improvement.
Unable to resist diving in with both feet, Dr. Lachie’s life becomes a blur of rural postings and increasingly senior public health roles, in which he battles the mounting complexity and severe emotional burden of, in many cases, desperately intractable issues for which a solution exceeds both current control and funding - and the ongoing relief he is able to provide, no matter how individually effective, never feels adequate when viewed in the larger context.
Eventually settling (temporarily at least) into senior roles first at WHO, and later at MSF (Medecin sans Frontieres), it’s clear that for Dr. Lachie at least, (and to the inspiration of the reader) it is simply impossible, no matter the odds, to stop trying.
An eye-opening and devastatingly tragic read, and one that will stay with this reader for a very long time.
My stop today on the @randomttours blogtour for #LifeandDeathDecisions @octopus_books @Lachlan_Mciver
A great big thank you to the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
As Dr. Lachie McIver, a native of Queensland, Australia, takes us though his incredible personal journey of self-discovery, service and study, we are invited to follow his path, beginning in his youth and winding a crazily intense trail through numerous rural placements in areas such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Thailand, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Peru, Guatemala, the Congo, Sudan, and the Honduras.
As he is introduced to the practice of “frontier medicine” in jungles, rainforests, and remote islands of the South Pacific, Dr. Lachie’s focus on the clinical treatment of tropical and other rampant infectious diseases, - such as leprosy, measles, TB and cholera - is quickly compounded with a plethora of public health concerns. It is not long before it is apparent that a link can clearly be drawn between the ‘slowly and steadily warming, acidifying and rising oceans” (an outcome of global climate change) and the subsequent contamination of drinking water, patterns of pathogen transmission, weather, poverty, crops and ultimately, disease outbreaks. The greater challenge for Dr Lachie, unfortunately, is how, in each unique and specifically devastated environment, to plan for any sort of coordinated health improvement.
Unable to resist diving in with both feet, Dr. Lachie’s life becomes a blur of rural postings and increasingly senior public health roles, in which he battles the mounting complexity and severe emotional burden of, in many cases, desperately intractable issues for which a solution exceeds both current control and funding - and the ongoing relief he is able to provide, no matter how individually effective, never feels adequate when viewed in the larger context.
Eventually settling (temporarily at least) into senior roles first at WHO, and later at MSF (Medecin sans Frontieres), it’s clear that for Dr. Lachie at least, (and to the inspiration of the reader) it is simply impossible, no matter the odds, to stop trying.
An eye-opening and devastatingly tragic read, and one that will stay with this reader for a very long time.
My stop today on the @randomttours blogtour for #LifeandDeathDecisions @octopus_books @Lachlan_Mciver
A great big thank you to the author and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.
September 25, 2022
Life & Death Decisions by Dr Lachlan McIver packs a punch and gets a five-star rating from me. It gave me everything I want from a memoir, containing jaw-dropping stories, a reminder of human resilience and fragility and a warning about the very real consequences of climate change.
The medical challenges Lachlan has faced as a doctor in Australia and the Pacific Islands are not for the faint-hearted. He has saved countless lives, often in the most basic of conditions. We follow his journey from job to job, battling to save strangers from illnesses, accidents, tropical diseases and war wounds. All the time wishing there was more medicine, staff and equipment.
Lachlan’s own foray into medicine came after the sudden death of his father in a bid to prevent anyone else from suffering a similar tragedy. He throws himself into study, work and life with an unnerving attraction to risk, hard work, booze and drugs. His fearlessness as a doctor keeps him going for years until alcoholism catches up with him. He crashes into bankruptcy and depression and learns that if you don’t rest your mind and body, it will catch up with you. I, too, have learnt this the hard way, although, in retrospect, my experience has been extremely tame compared to Lachlan’s!
His writing matches his character, quickly moving us from event to event. There is some reflection but little time to dwell on things too much. Again and again, his life moves on, and he moves from place to place to find fulfilment and happiness, chasing opportunities in 30 countries worldwide.
Lachlan’s experiences show us climate change is having a negative effect on human health, with communities in tropical places finding their weather patterns are changing and diseases are becoming much more common. I love how he combines his doctoring with his work for the World Health Organisation and Medicins San Frontieres. He isn’t afraid to take risks, yet his talent for rural medicine, data analysis and spotting trends clearly opens many doors. This book will inspire you to follow your dreams. It will also warn you to look after the planet and yourself along the way.
I was given a free copy of the book in return for an honest review by Random Things Tours.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
The medical challenges Lachlan has faced as a doctor in Australia and the Pacific Islands are not for the faint-hearted. He has saved countless lives, often in the most basic of conditions. We follow his journey from job to job, battling to save strangers from illnesses, accidents, tropical diseases and war wounds. All the time wishing there was more medicine, staff and equipment.
Lachlan’s own foray into medicine came after the sudden death of his father in a bid to prevent anyone else from suffering a similar tragedy. He throws himself into study, work and life with an unnerving attraction to risk, hard work, booze and drugs. His fearlessness as a doctor keeps him going for years until alcoholism catches up with him. He crashes into bankruptcy and depression and learns that if you don’t rest your mind and body, it will catch up with you. I, too, have learnt this the hard way, although, in retrospect, my experience has been extremely tame compared to Lachlan’s!
His writing matches his character, quickly moving us from event to event. There is some reflection but little time to dwell on things too much. Again and again, his life moves on, and he moves from place to place to find fulfilment and happiness, chasing opportunities in 30 countries worldwide.
Lachlan’s experiences show us climate change is having a negative effect on human health, with communities in tropical places finding their weather patterns are changing and diseases are becoming much more common. I love how he combines his doctoring with his work for the World Health Organisation and Medicins San Frontieres. He isn’t afraid to take risks, yet his talent for rural medicine, data analysis and spotting trends clearly opens many doors. This book will inspire you to follow your dreams. It will also warn you to look after the planet and yourself along the way.
I was given a free copy of the book in return for an honest review by Random Things Tours.
Hannah is the author of The Cactus Surgeon, a nature & health memoir. Living in London, Hannah suffered burnout and was diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. With no information available to help her, she found her own way to get better.
September 12, 2022
Wow this was such a brilliant read. It was that good that I couldn't put it down, I HAD to read it in one sitting which ment I had a very late night. The author has had such an amazing life so far and this made for one fascinating read. I just couldn't believe what I was reading at times it was so shocking what medical companies do. All this life changing medicine available but they keep the prices up. This means that third world countries can't afford medicine. I have to praise author for all he has do to provide care for those in small villages that are often quite dangerous and for creating a non profit organisation bring over voluntary doctors and nurses to help small villages. It makes for an exciting and wonderful, very insightful and eye opening book. The author also covers his own depression, and finance worries as he works for very little money and donations to a local school. It was amazing how much one person can sacrifice so much for his work. This book is definitely a real roller coaster ride that you just won't be able to put down. The book is so well wrote and flows so well your likely to forget your reading and lose track of all time. I definitely recommend reading this book especially if you love autobiographies and like me anything set in a different country that you love in.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing us this brilliant book taking about learning on the job wow. I definitely hope this author writes more books as I will be first in line to read them.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for bringing us this brilliant book taking about learning on the job wow. I definitely hope this author writes more books as I will be first in line to read them.
September 29, 2022
Today, is my spot on Random Things Tours blog tour for Dr Lachlan McIver’s Life and Death Decisions. I read this memoir as a hardback for this tour and I’m so, so happy that I took part on this tour as I loved this book so much. It was an amazing true-story account of hard-working doctor’s life, an astonishing account really. It was a gem of a book which I will treasure long after finishing this book.
I have always found medicine, especially tropical medicine fascinating. From an early age, I loved reading Robin Cook and Michael Palmer’s medical thrillers. I even very briefly considered that nursing or midwifery might be a career for me. I’m too squeamish for this though, but my love for medical literature remained. So, this book was a perfect read for me, and should be essential reading for anybody considering a medical career.
It was an honest, powerful and emotional account of a life lived helping others. I loved, and I’m in awe, of the fact that in some areas where a natural disaster had hit these doctors worked tirelessly with no electricity, water or proper medicines while trying to save lives. I loved learning more about each and every case; seeing these tropical and exotic locations through the author’s eyes. This is a great memoir, and it held my attention and interest from the very first page to the last one.
This is a book that deserves 6 stars rather than 5. I think this is a book that everybody should read. I loved it.
I have always found medicine, especially tropical medicine fascinating. From an early age, I loved reading Robin Cook and Michael Palmer’s medical thrillers. I even very briefly considered that nursing or midwifery might be a career for me. I’m too squeamish for this though, but my love for medical literature remained. So, this book was a perfect read for me, and should be essential reading for anybody considering a medical career.
It was an honest, powerful and emotional account of a life lived helping others. I loved, and I’m in awe, of the fact that in some areas where a natural disaster had hit these doctors worked tirelessly with no electricity, water or proper medicines while trying to save lives. I loved learning more about each and every case; seeing these tropical and exotic locations through the author’s eyes. This is a great memoir, and it held my attention and interest from the very first page to the last one.
This is a book that deserves 6 stars rather than 5. I think this is a book that everybody should read. I loved it.
July 20, 2025
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: non-fiction - memoir, medical
Does the blurb reflect the plot: yes, it’s an excellent synopsis of the book
Sum it up: When McIvor’s dad died unexpectedly when he was only sixteen years of age, his entire world turned upside down. Determined to make a difference, McIvor becomes a doctor and so begins his journey to provide medical care and treatment to those in the most remote places of Australia and the world. Told with a raft of emotions, McIvor is not backwards in coming forwards about his position on anything and everything, whether it’s personal or professional. This makes for not only an honest read, but also a very insightful one from which my attention never wained for the duration of the book. I always enjoy a memoir that it written in such a way that feels like you’re sitting down chatting with the author and Life & Death Decisions felt just like that. There may be some heavy topics in this book, but it’s undoubtedly a book that will also inspire and make you feel better for having read it. Just what the doctor ordered, it’s a highly recommended read.
Who should read it: a must for fans of memoirs and all things medical, Life & Death Decisions would also be a great read for anyone who likes non-fiction or is just after a really good read.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @peggyanne_readsandruns on Instagram.
Genre: non-fiction - memoir, medical
Does the blurb reflect the plot: yes, it’s an excellent synopsis of the book
Sum it up: When McIvor’s dad died unexpectedly when he was only sixteen years of age, his entire world turned upside down. Determined to make a difference, McIvor becomes a doctor and so begins his journey to provide medical care and treatment to those in the most remote places of Australia and the world. Told with a raft of emotions, McIvor is not backwards in coming forwards about his position on anything and everything, whether it’s personal or professional. This makes for not only an honest read, but also a very insightful one from which my attention never wained for the duration of the book. I always enjoy a memoir that it written in such a way that feels like you’re sitting down chatting with the author and Life & Death Decisions felt just like that. There may be some heavy topics in this book, but it’s undoubtedly a book that will also inspire and make you feel better for having read it. Just what the doctor ordered, it’s a highly recommended read.
Who should read it: a must for fans of memoirs and all things medical, Life & Death Decisions would also be a great read for anyone who likes non-fiction or is just after a really good read.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @peggyanne_readsandruns on Instagram.
August 29, 2022
Every chapter of this book had a different focus and interest which meant that every time I promised 'just one more chapter' I inevitably got pulled into the next.
The book covered personal history and development, professional and career change, information about wider environmental and medical issues, both on regional and global scales, and then the bit we all enjoy, the recounting of specific cases and patients. I am never, ever getting over the maggots...
I downloaded this ARC on a whim because anything medical interests me and I was hoping it would be a book about weird medical cases that the author had encountered, but I actually found the wider environmental and medical issues fascinating. These considerations are just not something that the everyday person thinks about, firstly because they don't really enter our world through media often (at this specific level) and secondly, because although we know about climate change and resistant bacteria in a general sense, the specific impact of both on health isn't as known.
That brings me onto the writing style. It was effortless to read, easy to understand and not at all lecturing in tone, depsite the medical terms, potted histories of countries and scientific data/theory/explanations.
To say I 'enjoyed' it would be the wrong phrase, but it was certainly interesting and, for me, compulsive reading.
The book covered personal history and development, professional and career change, information about wider environmental and medical issues, both on regional and global scales, and then the bit we all enjoy, the recounting of specific cases and patients. I am never, ever getting over the maggots...
I downloaded this ARC on a whim because anything medical interests me and I was hoping it would be a book about weird medical cases that the author had encountered, but I actually found the wider environmental and medical issues fascinating. These considerations are just not something that the everyday person thinks about, firstly because they don't really enter our world through media often (at this specific level) and secondly, because although we know about climate change and resistant bacteria in a general sense, the specific impact of both on health isn't as known.
That brings me onto the writing style. It was effortless to read, easy to understand and not at all lecturing in tone, depsite the medical terms, potted histories of countries and scientific data/theory/explanations.
To say I 'enjoyed' it would be the wrong phrase, but it was certainly interesting and, for me, compulsive reading.
August 20, 2024
A solid book with some great insights into the role of climate change on global health -- something that I think a lot of people don't really consider, even if we can generally overview why climate change is bad. I think a lot of people's imaginations are fired by rising sea levels and more violent weather patterns, and while this is obviously a concern, there's still much to be said for the far-reaching impacts of these things on our health. Displacement, compromised water supplies, drought, more breeding time for virus-carrying bugs... the list goes on, and McIver does a good job outlining the threats and risks. He also doesn't pretend to know all the answers, which I always appreciate: this is more an informative rallying cry than a lecture, and he's an entertaining writer with a lot of fascinating stories as well.
I always appreciate it when a writer isn't afraid to tell it how it is, even if it doesn't make them look the best. McIver is brutally honest about the toll such a life takes on him and his loved ones, but like all people with a calling, it's a balance that has to be struck no matter how dangerous the working environment. (I can't judge -- I'm a war reporter.) He's doing good work, and he has a lot of insight, but I do admit I fear for his liver.
I always appreciate it when a writer isn't afraid to tell it how it is, even if it doesn't make them look the best. McIver is brutally honest about the toll such a life takes on him and his loved ones, but like all people with a calling, it's a balance that has to be struck no matter how dangerous the working environment. (I can't judge -- I'm a war reporter.) He's doing good work, and he has a lot of insight, but I do admit I fear for his liver.
September 28, 2022
I was given this book by a friend. It is not a book I would ever have bought for myself. Having said that, though, I really enjoyed it.
I am a medical practitioner myself and found myself constantly comparing myself with the author, Dr Lachlan McIver. While I have worked in some challenging environments myself, McIver takes this to a whole new level, working in central and northern Australia, the Torres Strait, the South Pacific and even further afield.
I was shocked at times by McIver's naïveté, but it is probably fair to say that it has stood him in good stead because it has allowed him to plunge into a situation at which a shrewder head might have baulked. He has certainly stayed the course, and deserves great credit for that. At the end of the book, he was in a pretty good position, both professionally and personally. Perhaps he will write a sequel in 20 or 30 years time.
That he has managed to write this book at all, with so much else going on in his life, is also very creditable. The recall of detail is remarkable, and it is all expressed very clearly and logically.
I am a medical practitioner myself and found myself constantly comparing myself with the author, Dr Lachlan McIver. While I have worked in some challenging environments myself, McIver takes this to a whole new level, working in central and northern Australia, the Torres Strait, the South Pacific and even further afield.
I was shocked at times by McIver's naïveté, but it is probably fair to say that it has stood him in good stead because it has allowed him to plunge into a situation at which a shrewder head might have baulked. He has certainly stayed the course, and deserves great credit for that. At the end of the book, he was in a pretty good position, both professionally and personally. Perhaps he will write a sequel in 20 or 30 years time.
That he has managed to write this book at all, with so much else going on in his life, is also very creditable. The recall of detail is remarkable, and it is all expressed very clearly and logically.
August 29, 2024
"The difficulties balancing the needs of the individual against those of a population; inequalities in access to healthcare and medicines..."
Dr Lachlan McIver is a specialist in public health and rural medicine. He has travelled all over the world to care for those who don't have access to adequate health care, making do with what few supplies he has. In this raw memior, McIver tells of his experiences in remote corners, while trying to cope with his own personal issues.
An extremely eye opening memior! Reading this book made me appreciate living in Australian more than I already do. Whilst not gory, it is still incredibly heart breaking to see how some countries live. Dr McIver is such an amazing man who deserves all the respect (and lots of funding) in the world.
Dr Lachlan McIver is a specialist in public health and rural medicine. He has travelled all over the world to care for those who don't have access to adequate health care, making do with what few supplies he has. In this raw memior, McIver tells of his experiences in remote corners, while trying to cope with his own personal issues.
An extremely eye opening memior! Reading this book made me appreciate living in Australian more than I already do. Whilst not gory, it is still incredibly heart breaking to see how some countries live. Dr McIver is such an amazing man who deserves all the respect (and lots of funding) in the world.
October 1, 2022
A MEMOIR OF ONE DRS EXPERIENCES IN SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE AND NEGLECTED PARTS OF THE WORLD. CONFRONTING INEQUALITIES IN HEALTH CARE AVAILABILITY AND RESOURCES BUT ALSO HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AND ANTIBIOTIC OVERUSE OR MISUSE IMPACTS ON HEALTH ALSO. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE READ THAT WAS MADE EVEN MORE LIKEABLE BY HOW HONEST AND RELATABLE THE AUTHOR IS, SHARING HIS OWN PERSONAL CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY. IT WAS ALSO INTERESTING GETTING A SMALL INSIGHT INTO HIS ROLES WITH MSF AND WHO AND HOW THEY WORK FROM AN INSIDERS PERSPECTIVE.
DON’T BE PUT OFF BY THE MEDICAL ASPECT OF THE BOOK IT WASN’T PARTICULARLY HEAVY AND WAS AN EASY READ FULL OF EXCITING STORIES OF ADVENTURE
DON’T BE PUT OFF BY THE MEDICAL ASPECT OF THE BOOK IT WASN’T PARTICULARLY HEAVY AND WAS AN EASY READ FULL OF EXCITING STORIES OF ADVENTURE
January 7, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Three and a half stars.
This book was super interesting and educational. I love a book that I can learn from. The author swung between humble modesty of his achievements to talking about the difficult and amazing things he had done and saying it was easy for him. I admired that he was honest about his mental health and how it was affected by different experiences throughout his life. It is good for people to understand that even people that seem like human super heroes need some help sometimes. All in all I was glad I read this, some of it was a case of you don’t know what you don’t know. And now I know a little bit more.
Three and a half stars.
This book was super interesting and educational. I love a book that I can learn from. The author swung between humble modesty of his achievements to talking about the difficult and amazing things he had done and saying it was easy for him. I admired that he was honest about his mental health and how it was affected by different experiences throughout his life. It is good for people to understand that even people that seem like human super heroes need some help sometimes. All in all I was glad I read this, some of it was a case of you don’t know what you don’t know. And now I know a little bit more.
November 19, 2022
Loved it. Lachlan McIver's style is an enticing mix of tell-it-like-it-is and his personality shining through, and his life story so far is both fascinating and provides eye-opening insight into the challenges of rural medicine and climate change.
A friend recently told me the marker of a great book is whether you'd read it again, and by that definition this memoir gets top marks.
Highly recommend.
(And yes, I also appreciated McIver's story because the world is on fire with the climate breakdown etc and we need to talk a lot more about all the implications that has...)
A friend recently told me the marker of a great book is whether you'd read it again, and by that definition this memoir gets top marks.
Highly recommend.
(And yes, I also appreciated McIver's story because the world is on fire with the climate breakdown etc and we need to talk a lot more about all the implications that has...)
September 26, 2022
A memoir of how a man finds his father dead at the roadside, becomes a doctor and throws himself into more work than the human body can take. Instead of curing people he finds himself depressed, suicidal, bankrupt and ruining his personal life. It also shows how selfish one man can be in pursuit of a goal to the exclusion of all others. More on the blog tour on the 27th September.
bertyboy123.wordpress.com
bertyboy123.wordpress.com
August 18, 2025
Lachlan McIver is a doctor with a passion for rural and remote medicine. He loves adventure and his nature and passions take him all over the globe, dealing with issues such as climate change and health, remote medical support and disadvantage and antibiotic resistance. His story is honest and raw and encouraging, helping each of us to see with greater clarity the pressing needs of our moment, locally and globally and giving us a path forward.
November 15, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. It was interesting from a medical, humanitarian and personal perspective.
Thank you to Lachlan for being so candid and open about such personal highs and lows.
I would like to see more stories from the field if Lachlan has the energy or interest to do so in the future.
Thank you to Lachlan for being so candid and open about such personal highs and lows.
I would like to see more stories from the field if Lachlan has the energy or interest to do so in the future.
August 6, 2023
A brilliantly written memoir by a medico that the world needs many more of. He writes in such an engaging and often amusing way, expertly delivering that little four letter f word when it best describes the situation he is in. You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried. I hope he writes a sequel.
December 28, 2025
An insightful look at the public health crisis largely due to climate change in some extremely disadvantaged countries around the world. The author has led a fascinating life and his adventures were enthralling. He went to high school and worked in my town and there were lots of other parallels that were quite relatable.
April 19, 2023
I never thought this is a book for me - and not to read start to finish. It I just could not put it down. The story is much bigger than one man and is career. It highlights a number of global issues and deconstructs them into understanadabke and approachable fragments
July 14, 2024
Some great stories in here and obviously an amazing career but I was frustrated by his repeating his toxic lifestyle of overworking and overdrinking taking on of multiple responsibilities . (Sounds suspiciously bipolar)
September 18, 2022
Moving, powerful memoir, highly recommended.
November 29, 2022
Interesting insight into what can only be described as the interesting and wandering career of an Australian rural generalist, sober and raw, a good read
April 16, 2023
Wonderful memoir about this doctor’s experience in third world countries. I really enjoyed it although found it appalling at times.
April 27, 2023
A totally engrossing, heartfelt story
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