We’re often moved by messages from readers of War Doctor – David’s written account of over 25 years of volunteering surgical skills on the frontline. But sometimes, a story comes along that reminds us exactly why we do what we do, and resonates so deeply that it feels important to share.

Anastasiia, our inspiring Ukrainian supporter, shares how War Doctor changed her perspective on conflict, deepened her empathy for others, and helped her find purpose in uncertainty.

“This book… I don’t know, it’s something special, something that came into my hands at the right time and in the right place. I’ve read many books in my life, and I’ve never been interested in surgery or war stories. But when war came to my home, and I had to leave everything I was used to and everything I held dear, I finally decided to read this book – one that had come to me long ago and quite by accident. I just bought it in a supermarket in Ukraine when my mom and I were planning to attend a first aid course at the very beginning of the war. I had no idea what this book was really about.

At first, it was hard to read because I’m quite a sensitive person, and reading about injuries or surgeries was difficult – I’d start to physically feel pain. A neighbour even joked that sometimes my face looked like it had “subtitles” for the book – “Caution: I’m in shock.” It probably took a month before I could really get into it – I just couldn’t read it sometimes, even though I was curious.

Then one day, I got stuck at an airport for 12 hours after my last visit to my family, and knowing I had no way out, I opened the book I had brought with me – and it suddenly became so engaging and easy to read that I read almost half of it that night.

That’s how my journey with David Nott’s story began. Everything – from his bravery, dedication, and honesty, to the incredible resilience of his wife – deeply moved me.

When I got temporary shelter in Austria, I found myself surrounded by many other refugees, including Syrians. We’re learning the language together now, and before this, I knew nothing about their history or the horrors they had lived through. When we were all sharing our stories, some of them said they walked here on foot – and I was shocked. After reading this book, I began learning about many other armed conflicts I had only ever vaguely heard of, reduced to the phrase “there’s a war going on somewhere over there” – and that was it. I couldn’t empathize, and I couldn’t help.

When I finished the book, I sat in silence for a while, just thinking that I also want to be useful to people who’ve gone through things like this. I have to admit, I’ve faced many challenges in Austria. One of the hardest is that people don’t understand and don’t even want to try to understand that I’m here not because this was the dream of my life, but because circumstances forced me. I wasn’t prepared for this, and that’s why I don’t speak German. A lack of knowledge and an unwillingness to know what others have been through makes us cruel – and that’s what happened to many people here. Even though I’ve been living here for over a year, I still sometimes cry out of frustration, because my home and the future I wanted – a peaceful youth, my dreams – were stolen from me.

But before this, looking at my Syrian classmates, I too was cruel in my own ignorance. I didn’t want to know their stories, and I wasn’t interested – even though I myself had lived through war, and should have had more compassion for others who had suffered the same.In the end, I just want to say this book gave me hope – both in my personal situation and, together with everything I’ve been through.

“War Doctor made me realise that no matter what happens, even one person, if they have good intentions and a strong will, can change the world.”

Stories of people like Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi always felt distant – in far-off places with different rules and ways of life. But this story felt like it was here, close to my heart in every way.

This is how this book turned my world and my detached way of living into a desire to be part of those who live to help others. I’m still looking for the field where I can do that – but I know for sure that I don’t want to stand aside anymore.”

“The book opened my eyes, heart and became a direction – helped me make a choice in life. It shaped what I want to do and how to relate to the horrors around me.”

David’s Book War Doctor is available below.

War Doctor