Customer Reviews

A Memory of Solferino

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

 

 

This is important history that should not be forgotten. This dispels common beliefs about the glory of war. This is a personal account of someone who witnessed the slaughter and the prolonged suffering of the wounded and dying. Dunant threw himself into the exhausting and chaotic effort to save lives and comfort the dying. He describes the overwhelming numbers of wounded and dying and the utter inadequacy of care and nightmarish conditions. It was triage at its worst. But the most lasting and valuable contribution is Dunant's description of the kind of help needed and how people could be trained and resources organized. This was the genesis of the Red Cross. This is a unique and rare moment in history. It led to the creation of an international organization that alleviated incredible pain and suffering for combatants and prisoners of war. It also led to the Geneva Convention establishing rules of conduct in war and defining crimes against humanity and the ways and means for trial and prosecution. There are few books that can claim such a major achievement and impact on the lives of humans. This is such a book. For these reasons I believe this book deserves 5 stars.