A Californian paramedic answers an advertisement for contract work at a military hospital in Saudi Arabia. So his adventure begins. This is a riveting, factual account of his ten years inside a country seldom seen by the outside world. Working on the private medical staff of King Abdullah, no western writer has ever been this close to the "House of Saud". The author takes you on a journey from the desert camps of the Bedouin to the highest echelons of the Saudi royal family. From meetings between King Abdullah and Yasser Arafat to the death of Edi Amin the author documents it all. Themes explored include the contrast of cultures and the rise of terrorism in a post 9/11 world. The author's unique and often humorous perspective provides a view of Saudi society that has never before been documented by any other book in this genre. The author gives an important insight to events that continue to affect the world today.
PARAMEDIC TO THE PRINCE
Biography
Patrick (Tom) Notestine was born in Yuba City California, Growing up in a rural farm community. Tom drifted from job to job after leaving high school. First working as a gas station attendant, auto mechanic, farm laborer, and meat cutter among other things. He never quite found the right fit.
At the age of 23 he took a long hard look at the direction his life was going. He did not like what he saw. Always in the back of his mind he had a keen interest in science and medicine and a little excitement. Becoming an Emergency Medical Technician seemed to be the best option.
Graduating in March 1983 he began working on a Paramedic ambulance in Sacramento California. Working alongside a seasoned Paramedic, he soon found his calling in life. It was not long after that he left for Los Angles to attend UCLA School for Pre-hospital Care.
Graduating as a Paramedic in 1986, He began working in the San Francisco Bay area. Working on primary 911 response ambulances, then on to Helicopter and fixed wing medical evacuation.
In 1993, He answered an advertisement for work in Saudi Arabia at the King Fahd National Guard Hospital in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. This is where the book begins.
Patrick was later trained in Firefighting and holds certifications from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), in Firefighter One and Two and Fire service Instructor, with a specialty in Industrial Firefighting. Patrick is also a National Registry Paramedic and Instructor for both Basic and Advanced medical skills.
The Middle East is never far from the Authors heart. He has recently taken yet another assignment in the Middle East. He is currently working as the Emergency Medical Coordinator for a major oil company in the Persian Gulf.
Patrick enjoys exploring the desert in his beat up 1985 Range Rover. His hobbies include Scuba Diving, Rock Climbing and Caving.
Authors Message: I consider myself an ordinary Person, who was fortunate enough to be given some extra-ordinary opportunities. I truly believe that you make your own luck, and when life knocks you down, "which is does to all of us" It is getting back up that really matters, not the falling down. I hope whoever reads this book enjoys it as much as I did writing it. I believe everyone has a story to tell.
This just happens to be mine.
All the Best
Patrick Thomas Notestine
