In the Wars
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  • Published: 1 November 2022
  • ISBN: 9780552177641
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $26.00

In the Wars

An uplifting, life-enhancing autobiography, a poignant story of the power of resilience

Formats & editions
Paperback
1 Nov 2022
EBook
17 Jun 2021
Audiobook
17 Jun 2021
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A refugee's story of grit and resilience from the war-torn streets of Afghanistan to studying medicine at Cambridge and his extraordinary contribution to society now saving lives worldwide.

Born in war-torn Afghanistan, Waheed Arian's first memories are of bombs. His first-hand experience of the power of medicine inspired him to dedicate his life to healing others. But how does a boy with nothing hope to become a doctor?

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. 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 a hundred dollars 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, currently in A&E.

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 is a tale of courage, ambition and unwavering resilience in the face of all the challenges that life can throw in your way.
  • Published: 1 November 2022
  • ISBN: 9780552177641
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $26.00
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About the author

Waheed Arian

Waheed Arian is an NHS doctor working in A+E at a Liverpool hospital. Born into war-torn Afghanistan he spent three years in a refugee camp in Peshawar. He is the founder of telemedicine charity Arian Teleheal, which enables doctors in conflict zones and low resource countries to use smartphone technology to connect with volunteer specialists in the UK, Canada, the US and other countries, and thereby change and save lives. His work sets an innovation blueprint in global health, and has seen him recognized as a UN Global Hope Hero.

portrait photo of Waheed Arian

Praise for In the Wars

'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 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 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 remarkable story. I thought this book was brilliant.'

NAGA MUNCHETTY

'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.'

Alice Thompson, THE TIMES

'An extraordinary achievement'

ALAN JOHNSON

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

'A moving and amazing story.'

SUNDAY MORNING LIVE

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

DAVID BECKHAM

· 'An NHS hero.'

THE MIRROR

· '(Waheed's) life story is utterly remarkable.'

THE JEREMY VINE SHOW

· 'An inspiration.'

EDDIE NESTOR, BBC Radio London

· 'Waheed's story is one of ambition, hope, healing past traumas, inspiration, giving, generosity and compassion and moving the needle of progress. I can't recommend his book enough.'

THE EMMA GUNS SHOW

· 'One of the most incredible life stories... A lesson to be drawn for others.'

JAMES O’BRIEN

· 'Unbelievably inspiring . . .everyone has to read In the Wars,'

MO GAWDAT

· 'One of the most incredible stories. So much so that it genuinely sounds as unbelievable as the plot of a Hollywood movie.'

DR RUPY AUJLA

· 'A moving and amazing story.'

SUNDAY MORNING LIVE

A vivid memoir. It's such a moving journey and horribly topical.

Michael Berkeley, BBC Radio 3 Private Passions