Customer Reviews

The Story of Dr. Wassell

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"The Story of Dr. Wassell" is a moving account of the trials of a Navy field doctor, Corydon Wassell, during the outbreak of WWII on Java in the South Pacific. James Hilton brings his understated elegant crispness to the narrative which draws you into the complexities of command and responsibility in wartime theatre. Although not a religious man, Dr. Wassell exhibits all the refinements of a decent caring human being on earth, whose decision to serve the needs of his men at all times leads to his acceptance of the Navy Cross. All the dangers of war lurk at any time, yet, Dr. Wassell attends to his wounded wards with incredible zeal that inspires and invigorates those who come under his knowing, intelligent and self-less devotion. I found this to be a very moving and inspiring story, an example of doing what is right without calculation or hesitation. One could sense a larger Hand on his shoulder when he accepted the medal. He was surely an inspiration for Doctors without Borders.

This was a great book. I have a hometown connection to it too. This story is about my friend's Grandfather. His mom tells us how it was to go and visit the movie set when they were kids and they were making the movie about her dad. She (the daughter) is in her 90's right now, and has a perfect memory, but the story is very interesting and he seemed to be a very heroic man. I literally didn't put the book down and read it cover to cover.