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Saqib Noor
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Surgery on the Shoulders of Giants: Letters from a doctor abroad Paperback – April 27, 2017

by Saqib Noor (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
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Surgery on the Shoulders of Giants is a heart-wrenching but ultimately uplifting collection of letters written during the medical travels of Saqib Noor, a surgeon in training and a doctor passionate about healthcare in impoverished areas of the world. Saqib qualified from Nottingham Medical School in 2004 and subsequently has embarked on a career in orthopaedic surgery. The events in the book are described in real time, beginning in South Africa with a series of personal and vivid letters, and continues over a ten year span in various countries and settings. The writings describe the disasters of the Haiti earthquake and the unprecedented Pakistan floods of 2010 as well as travels to South Africa, Cambodia, Ethiopia and Myanmar. The letters reveal the immense complexities and challenges of medical work in austere environments as well as the emotional toll it takes on all involved. The stories are filled with sadness yet inspired by hope and truly promote an underlying faith in the goodness of the human condition. The book is recommended for anyone wanting a terrifically unique human insight into medical care during disasters and the health challenges facing some of the poorest parts of the world. These letters are likely to stay with the reader many years after they have been read.
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  1. Print length
    253 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 27, 2017
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.64 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    9781521173190
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1521173190
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1521173192
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 27, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 253 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781521173190
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1521173190
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.64 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

About the author

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Saqib Noor

Saqib Noor

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I qualified from medical school in 2004 and have since then passionately pursued a career in trauma and orthopaedic surgery. After many years of exams, night shifts and hours scrubbed under the operating lights, I have now completed my higher surgical training.

I am very committed to medicine and surgery in the developing world. I have worked in my short career in South Africa for one year as well as volunteering as a medic for a number of weeks in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake and Pakistani floods, both in 2010. I have also worked for 6 months at a charity surgical centre in Cambodia in 2013 and I have recently taught orthopaedic surgery in Ethiopia.

I hope to continue this work in the future by working with, and developing trauma services for those in the world less privileged than I have been.

Throughout my travels, I have been incredibly blessed to meet a wonderful array of inspiring, talented and beautiful people that have allowed me to maintain my belief in the underlying and everlasting goodness of the human heart. I hope my ramblings somehow reflect this belief.

Why I write:

I write to release the words trapped between my head and heart, those words that make me laugh, cry and choke simultaneously. In the quietest times, in the most joyous times and in the saddest times, I would curl into my corner and write to be free.

These writings are for me and myself. There was never an intention to share, to display or to publish. However, I was, once-upon-a-time, convinced to display my words. Although I fear criticism more than I seek praise, I have been inspired by the clapping of love and the inner peace it brings, to share my writings outwardly. For the first time in my life, I have found a freedom within my spirit to let my words float gently into the air in a giant, multicoloured, heart-shaped hot air balloon.

I have always believed that the power of words can change the world, and so maybe with this new found belief, they can - one single character at a time. Maybe, on a quiet day, if you have the time, look to the sky and if we are lucky, my colourful hot air balloon will be floating by.

Thank you for taking the time to read my bio.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
12 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Sara S. Mcmurrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply moving combination of travel and medical observations
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book is an inspiring and uplifting read about the experiences of a humanitarian surgeon in developing countries. Through a series of letters, the writer conveys his experiences and what it means to be human and to hope. The strength and beauty of the patients and volunteers in horrendous medical and emotional situations shines through in his touching descriptions. The natural disasters, and the everyday life that follows them, are overwhelming but tempered by the dedication and goodness of many volunteers, doctors, nurses, and patients which illustrate the oneness of the human spirit. The reader is witness to the challenges and growth of a young doctor as he matures on a journey to become a "Giant" himself by contributing to surgical education and projects worldwide.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Truly incredible, not too graphic if you don't like blood, etc.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a truly incredible book about medical practice "off the grid." If you object to blood or graphic medical details, I found none. I found the extensive stories to be most interesting. Great book!
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  • claudia krisjanis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous reading
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    So very well written and renews your faith in mankind- loved
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  • Dominique Vervoort
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and moving, leaving the reader filled with hope and restoring faith in humanity.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2017
    Saqib Noor, orthopaedic surgeon from Birmingham, UK, shares his letters written during his voluntary surgical trips to developing countries along the course of his orthopaedic surgery training.

    Interspersed with accounts of the local history and cultures, Noor’s letters are filled with heartfelt emotions and hints of wittiness. The vivid descriptions and smart use of analogies and adverbs make the reader feel as if they were there themselves, sharing the struggles, but also the messages of hope the book brings. Despite the long way still left to go to achieve access to safe and affordable surgical care for everyone, everywhere, and the ongoing cruelty in war zones and beyond, “Surgery on the Shoulders of Giants” gives a message of hope. Hope for a better future, and hope for humanity. Noor's letters show his personal growth, genuine empathy and endless commitment, which will undoubtedly make him a future “Giant” -as he describes his local mentors in the countries he worked in- an inspiration and source of solace for anyone walking a similar path.

    “Surgery on the Shoulders of Giants: Letters from a Doctor Abroad” is an enriching book for all readers alike. The descriptions of the sad reality, but also the beauties and treasures of the people and countries he visited, and the inspiring accounts of the unsung heroes working endlessly in developing countries leave no reader untouched, but filled with hope.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Patricia Filby
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book - not to be missed!
    Reviewed in Australia on May 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Who would expect a dedicated doctor to write of his experiences with a poet’s heart? A beautifully written account of his endeavours, along with those of his admirable colleagues, to improve the health of people suffering from the effects of poverty, disease, and natural disasters, in various parts of the world where many of the necessary facilities are simply not available. Both heartwarming and heartbreaking stories that bring awareness of the needs of our fellow travellers to the the reader.
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  • Dominique Vervoort
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and moving letters, giving hope despite adversity and restoring faith in humanity.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Saqib Noor, orthopaedic surgeon from Birmingham, UK, shares his letters written during his voluntary surgical trips to developing countries along the course of his orthopaedic surgery training.

    Interspersed with accounts of the local history and cultures, Noor’s letters are filled with heartfelt emotions and hints of wittiness. The vivid descriptions and smart use of analogies and adverbs make the reader feel as if they were there themselves, sharing the struggles, but also the messages of hope the book brings. Despite the long way still left to go to achieve access to safe and affordable surgical care for everyone, everywhere, and the ongoing cruelty in war zones and beyond, “Surgery on the Shoulders of Giants” gives a message of hope. Hope for a better future, and hope for humanity. Noor's letters show his personal growth, genuine empathy and endless commitment, which will undoubtedly make him a future “Giant” -as he describes his local mentors in the countries he worked in- an inspiration and source of solace for anyone walking a similar path.

    “Surgery on the Shoulders of Giants: Letters from a Doctor Abroad” is an enriching book for all readers alike. The descriptions of the sad reality, but also the beauties and treasures of the people and countries he visited, and the inspiring accounts of the unsung heroes working endlessly in developing countries leave no reader untouched, but filled with hope.
    Report
  • R. C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars The most incredible book ....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 23, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book, which I am only half-way through is both tragic and heart-warming, describing Saqib's travels to work as a doctor and a surgeon in the places of greatest need. His writing is so descriptive making you feel you can almost experience the situations he describes - if you were brave enough. He has such humility even though he and his colleagues are doing the most incredible work and it is most beneficial to read about them, reminding us how incredibly lucky we are to live in a developed country with a great health service (long may it remain). Although the situations he describes are often tragic he also manages to bring humour in where possible and the whole experience is up-lifting - that people are so brave in their suffering and poverty and kind, compassionate people work so hard to help.
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