In the Wars, Waheed Arian
In the Wars, Waheed Arian
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In the Wars
An uplifting, life-enhancing autobiography, a poignant story of the power of resilience

Author: Waheed Arian

Narrator: Waheed Arian

Unabridged: 9 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/17/2021


Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

'A riveting story of loss, exile, and rebirth.' KHALED HOSSEINI, author of The Kite Runner
'One of the most incredible life stories you will ever hear.' JAMES O'BRIEN
'A remarkable story. I thought this book was brilliant.' NAGA MUNCHETTY

Born in war-torn Afghanistan, Waheed Arian's earliest memories are of bombs. Fleeing the conflict with his family, he spent much of his childhood in refugee camps in Pakistan, living sometimes ten to a room without basic sanitation or access to education. After he contracted tuberculosis, his first-hand experience of the power of medicine inspired Waheed to dedicate his life to healing others. But how does a boy with nothing hope to become a doctor?

Waheed largely taught himself, from textbooks bought from street-sellers, and learned English from the BBC World Service. Smuggled to the UK at fifteen with just $100 in his pocket, he found a job in a shop. He was advised to set his sights on becoming a taxi driver. But the boy from Kabul had bigger ambitions.

Working through PTSD and anxiety, he studied all hours to achieve his vocation. He was accepted to read medicine at Cambridge University, Imperial College and Harvard, and went on to become a doctor in the NHS. But he wanted to do more. In 2015 he founded Arian Teleheal, a pioneering global charity that connects doctors in war zones and low-resource countries with their counterparts in the US, UK, Europe and Australia. Together, learning from each other, they save and change lives - the lives of millions of people just like Waheed.

For readers of Educated and War Doctor, this is the extraordinary memoir of a boy who recognized the power of education and dreamed about helping others. It's a tale of courage, ambition and unwavering resilience in the face of all the challenges that life can throw in your way.

© Waheed Arian 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Reviews

Goodreads review by Stephen on September 28, 2022

interesting autobiography of a Doctor growing up in Afghanistan and coming to the UK and amazing people with his skill and ambition......more

Goodreads review by Michaela on November 12, 2023

This is a great book. A personal memoir of Dr Waheed Arian who was born in Kabul and spent his childhood between Kabul and refugee camps in Pakistan before coming to the UK aged 15. He was determined to become a doctor and tells the story of his life both in Afghanistan and in the UK in a moving and......more

Goodreads review by Esther on April 04, 2022

Loved this book. Inspirational and remarkable story......more

Goodreads review by Lilli on February 23, 2022

Stunning memoir! Definitely one of my new favourites. I was tearing up at multiple points and found Waheed’s story Incredibly inspiring.......more

Goodreads review by Amanda on November 26, 2021

If Angela Duckworth's book 'Grit' is a manual then Dr Waheed Arian's story is the theory-in-action. When we talk about a sense of vocation and duty, and medicine being an honourable profession, we're talking about doctors like Waheed Arian. Waheed's story illustrates what every successful and observa......more


Quotes

'A thrilling and absorbing read from first to last. What a life and what an inspiration.' STEPHEN FRY

'Anyone who reads Dr Arian's remarkable memoir will put it down inspired by the immense power and resilience of the human will. Spanning from war-wracked Kabul to the lecture halls of Cambridge, Dr Arian tells a riveting story of loss, exile, and rebirth. At a time when displacement has become increasingly politicized, this book is a gift, a dazzling testimony to the extraordinary contributions that refugees make to the host communities that welcome them.' KHALED HOSSEINI

'A phenomenal story of a boy's realisation that saving others was the way to help himself. From war in Afghanistan to refugee camps and escaping to Britain, he understood that by educating himself he could benefit the world.' THE TIMES

'A powerful, heart-warming account of a young man's escape from war and deprivation to extraordinary success in serving the people of his new country. his is a book which thoroughly deserves to be read and celebrated. I was moved and delighted by it.' JOHN SIMPSON

'A story of astonishing resilience. An incredible story about an incredible man.' DAVID BECKHAM

An immensely powerful and moving account of a child who endured war, trauma, displacement and racism, yet who never faltered in his passion to help others through becoming a doctor. Dr Arian's journey, resilience and heart are truly remarkable. DR RACHEL CLARKE

'An extraordinary achievement' ALAN JOHNSON

'A remarkable story. I thought this book was brilliant.' NAGA MUNCHETTY

'A story of unflinching, relentless determination to fulfil a dream...The reader discovers that miracles can and do happen when intelligence and resolve meet individuals and institutions prepared to offer a helping hand.' Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

'A moving and amazing story.' SUNDAY MORNING LIVE