Customer Reviews

Hope in Hell: Inside the World of Doctors Without Borders

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a quick read which provides excellent insight into the history and development of MSF as well as its current organization and on-the-ground operations. The historical component is well integrated into the many personal stories of physicians, logisticians, and other critical team members of MSF in the field. This book does a nice job balancing the positive and negative aspects of MSF's mission and how it is implemented. Even with the fair number of criticisms of the organization, I am still eager to be involved with such a remarkable group of people.

I would say that Hope in Hell is a good read and an interesting book but I have to say that the style is very impersonal, very repetitive, very introductory and does not do justice to the many MSF volunteers who were interviewed for the book.
It is impersonal because there is little more than a name and perhaps the country of origin given as the stories of volunteers are told. I read this book right after reading the Fast Food Nation in which the writer describes his interview subjects in a manner that enables the reader to have a mental picutre and develop a deep relationship with them.
Hope in Hell reads as an introductory piece of writting. Half way through the book I still thought I was reading the introductory chapter.
The sotries in this book were tragic and could've and should've been written in a heart wrenching style but the writer failed to write it so.
I would recommend it as a book to skim through but not a book worth purchasing and adding to your collection.

Almost everyone has an opinion on MSF(Médecins Sans Frontiéres). The author Dan Bortolotti in "HOPE IN HELL" provides what is surely a complete and trustworthy account of this organization. The book will once and for all confirm that MSF is still the only fully independent relief organization which seeks to alleviate human suffering, regardless of how that suffering was caused: by dictators, war barons, corrupt governments, or even relief teams which have fled the field.

"Hell" in the title is perhaps missguiding. The majority of doctors, administrators and logisticians, regardless of having suffered from diseases and trauma brought on by witnessing ghastly cruelty, still go back for more.

Before commenting to anyone on MSF again, read "HOPE IN HELL". It will not only alter your opinion but probably persuade you to support a relief organisation which really makes a difference. You might even become one of the doctors, etc, who helped to make the difference.Hope in Hell: Inside the World of Doctors Without Borders

I am a grade 10 student who recently used this book for an english project. I found this book to be highly insightful of MSF thoughts, goals and ideas. The book painted a bold picture that sends a impactful image of our world. It sheds lights on many projects MSF is currently working on and also makes you think of these people who give their lives for strangers in order to provide life.
Technically, the book follows an understandable format and remains interesting throughout while covering a lot of information. Many perspectives are covered which gives the book added depth.

Objective and informative view of the history, workings, and stories of field volunteers. Gives in depth coverage of organization inner workings with inspiring stories that captivate hearts.

This is an AMAZING book. It takes alot for a book to really captivate me, and Hope in Hell did so about a page into it. I recomend this book to everyone, whether your an avid reader into good stories, or wether your like myself and considering a career with the MSF.

The book makes sure to cover all jobs that you could fill with the organization, with the execption of working for one of their western offices. It covers job descroptions for water sanitation workers, Logistians (excuse my spelling), Nurses, Doctors, and Surgeons. I feel it is great for people considering work with the MSF because it gives you the full story through acounts from actual volunteers, not only does it tell you the nature of the feild work, but also the effect it has on people pschologically when they return home, and how they react once back in their "homes" (and how they realize their only home is with the MSF).

The book also spends time discussing the structural aspect of the organization as well as politics and Drug research.

I bought the book and couldn't put it down, a great read.

This book really helped putting the finishing touches on my sister's research projects about doctors without borders, especially since many books don't offer as many insights and pictures as this one.