Summary
A searing, beautifully told memoir by a Native American doctor on the trials of being a doctor-soldier in the Iraq War, and then, after being wounded and suffering a stroke, of becoming a doctor-patient at home.
Every juncture in Jon Kerstetter’s life has been marked by a crossing from one world into another—from civilian to doctor to soldier; between healing and waging war; and between compassion and hatred of the enemy. When an injury led to a stroke that ended his careers as a doct…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781101904398 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1101904399 |
| Author: | Jon Kerstetter |
| Publisher: | Random House USA Inc |
| Imprint: | Crown Publishing Group, Division of Random House Inc |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 352 |
| Release Date: | 15 September 2018 |
| Weight: | 262g |
| Dimensions: | 203mm x 132mm |
What They're Saying
Critics Review
Finalist for the 2018 Colby Award
“Grave and pensive, but always engaging… [Crossings] offers intimate portraits of lives shaped by war… A new generation of storytellers will emerge from this latest iteration of the terror wars… [Crossings is a] powerful reminder of why we should listen.”
—Wall Street Journal
“Crossings is an intimate and compelling look at how a Native American served his country as a combat medic and overcame the generational odds against success in his personal, professional and spiritual life. [An] inspiring, transformational story.”
—San Antonio Express-News
“Kerstetter’s remarkable story of courage and resilience provides a detailed look at the life and work of a combat physician… Though this is his first book, Kerstetter is a compelling writer, and not just of war stories. Kerstetter emotionally describes his recovery, the end of his medical career, and the process of relearning that led to this memoir… Recommended for readers who enjoy war memoirs and for anyone looking for a moving life story.”
—Library Journal
“The author’s emergence as a military doctor makes for interesting reading… but what is of greatest value in this narrative is Kerstetter’s ongoing, twofold recovery from a stroke on one hand and PTSD on the other… The author’s medical perspective on his own condition and critical therapeutic moments adds depth to an already solid story. An inspiring memoir.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“All of us will have challenges in our lives. Dr. Kerstetter has had many. I admire the author’s courage and humility in telling his story. This is a well-written book and I highly recommend it.”
—Annals of Emergency Medicine
“Kerstetter has written a fascinating and nuanced edge-of-your-seat tale about the humanity of medicine amidst the inhumanity of war. Your heart will be pounding on every page. I couldn’t put this wonderful book down.”
—Matt McCarthy, author of The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly
About The Author
Jon Kerstetter
JON KERSTETTER received his medical degree from the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minnesota, and his MFA degree from Ashland University in Ohio. He served as a combat physician and flight surgeon for the U.S. Army and completed three combat tours in Iraq. His writing has appeared in The Best American Essays, River Teeth, and other literary journals.
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