Cambodia Calling

A Memoir from the Frontlines of Humanitarian Aid
Author: Richard Heinzl
Subject: humanitarian
My rating: 3*


About the book:
Dr. Richard Heinzl is the one who established the MSF Canada chapter in 1990. His book is about his first mission as a doctor in Cambodia, and his thoughts on MSF as an organization. Although the book is not on par with others on this subject (James' Orbinski, Tracy Kidder), it does have its merits in presenting the first steps of MSF in Canada, and the Europeans' position on this. As for medical cases, the book lacks extreme or shocking descriptions, perhaps as Sisophon might have been quiet during those days. It is a book about the author's whole experience, with good and bad. I wouldn't be so extreme as to criticize his lack of humanity or compassion (as others do on amazon); it's is an OK book; I would recommend if you ever intend to work with MSF so you have some background about the organization. A profile and interview with the author can be found here