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ruthypoo2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This book was a revelation, providing information about some of the history leading up to WWI, the type and evolution of warfare at that time, the magnitude of facial disfigurement experienced by soldiers, and the cutting edge surgical techniques used to repair facial wounds and restore the appearance and vitality of military patients living with this kind of trauma.
The author begins his book with a Note to the Reader explaining how facial injury, disfigurement, and surgical repair is a difficult subject to address. He says his efforts are to help the reader understand the subject without overwhelming them with details. I think this was accomplished and there were many honest descriptions of facial injuries without going into any unnecessary graphic detail. In the physical and digital editions, there are some photos of the assorted pioneers whose careers, both surgical and non-surgical, were focused on helping provide dignity to patients with severe facial injuries. There are also a handful of photos that document the injuries and repair, and none are too much. I thought I might have to gloss over those pictures, but I was able to look and it was okay.
Bottom line, war is ugly and savage, particularly at a time when chemical weapons and trench warfare were the norm. The early part of the book sets the grim stage for the reader to appreciate the grave risk faced by all military in WWI. And to balance the heartbreak of various specific examples, the reward is how heartening it is to know the many experts who dedicated themselves to helping these men, sometimes even being right out there on the battlefield with them. It’s a complete and satisfying account of the aftermath caused by one war so many decades ago… aspects of war that are as far from glamorous as you can imagine, but important to be aware of.
The author begins his book with a Note to the Reader explaining how facial injury, disfigurement, and surgical repair is a difficult subject to address. He says his efforts are to help the reader understand the subject without overwhelming them with details. I think this was accomplished and there were many honest descriptions of facial injuries without going into any unnecessary graphic detail. In the physical and digital editions, there are some photos of the assorted pioneers whose careers, both surgical and non-surgical, were focused on helping provide dignity to patients with severe facial injuries. There are also a handful of photos that document the injuries and repair, and none are too much. I thought I might have to gloss over those pictures, but I was able to look and it was okay.
Bottom line, war is ugly and savage, particularly at a time when chemical weapons and trench warfare were the norm. The early part of the book sets the grim stage for the reader to appreciate the grave risk faced by all military in WWI. And to balance the heartbreak of various specific examples, the reward is how heartening it is to know the many experts who dedicated themselves to helping these men, sometimes even being right out there on the battlefield with them. It’s a complete and satisfying account of the aftermath caused by one war so many decades ago… aspects of war that are as far from glamorous as you can imagine, but important to be aware of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood