Working in a world of hurt : trauma and resilience in the narratives of medical personnel in warzones / Carol Acton and Jane Potter.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Acton, Carol, 1958- author.

Potter, Jane (Lecturer), author.

Series:

Cultural history of modern war.

Cultural history of modern war

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Medicine, Military.

Medicine, Military--Biography.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 266 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Manchester : Manchester University Press, 2015.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Working in a World of Hurt uncovers and analyses the range of responses to psychological trauma by male and female medical personnel in wartime in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Until now, academic and popular studies have focused on the trauma experienced by soldiers and civilians, saying very little about the mental strain endured by their healers. Acton & Potter seek to understand the subjective experiences of British, American and Canadian doctors, nurses, and other medical workers by studying personal accounts contained in letters, diaries and memoirs, both published and unpublished, and in weblogs. Offering an interdisciplinary understanding across a large chronological sweep of both the medical experience and the literary history of war, Working a World of Hurt demonstrates that while these narratives are testaments to the suffering of combatants, they also bear witness to the trauma of the healers themselves whose responses range from psychological and physical breakdown to stoical resilience and pride in their efforts to assuage the wounds of war.

Contents:

Introduction

'These frightful sights would work havoc with one's brain : First World War writings by medical personnel

'Over there' : American confidence and the narrative of resilience in the Great War

'You damn well just got on with your job' : medical personnel and the invasion of Europe in the Second World War

'It was a tough life and I did all I could to lighten the men;s burden' : British POW medics' memoirs of the Second World War

Claiming trauma : women in the Vietnam War

Crying silently : doctors and medics in the Vietnam War

Fatal injury

Conclusion: 'Shared experiences and meanings'.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 15 May 2026).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781784992415

1784992410

9781781708965

1781708967

OCLC:

980815095