Fighting for Life: American Military Medicine in World War II

I purchased this book many years ago and have read is several times. It is simply facinating. We tend to think that military medicine was a settled affair before the war even began, but are quickly shown otherwise. It also shows how responsibilty and reporting structures were so important. For example, until unit commanders were made directly responsible for the health of their troops, there were more casualties due to disease than enemy action; not much changed from the Civil War. One officer is reported to have said, "we're here to kill Japs, not swat mosquitoes". As in the civilian world, reporting structures are everything.

Full agreement with prior five star reviews. I would like to add that the reader gets a balanced but frank assessment of where the medical system and commanders succeeded, and where in some cases they failed sadly. Of particular interest are (a)the story of the lack of malaria preventive measures in certain South Pacific commands until they learned the hard way, (b) fascinating description of the development of practical treatment for psychiatric problems (combat fatigue), and (c) scathing criticism of the painful disability suffered by some 30,000 infantrymen in Northern Europe because of trench foot, much of which might have been avoided by better command decisions. Also excellent discussion of how the mushrooming military medical establishment tied in with the civilian professional services.

For World War II buffs this is one of those books that concentrates on behind-the-battlefield activity. The author does a superb and comprehensive job in informing the reader of the status of medicine and Allied medical organization during World War II. - I give the author five stars because he: (1) described the contemporary diseases and medicines as well as types of battle casualties; (2) narrates how the medics and field hospitals followed the troops into battle; and (3) gives us a good understanding of the development of military medical organization and the problems it had. On top of that, Cowdry keeps interesting a subject that otherwise could be boring, and, better yet, he starts at the beginning (Pearl Harbor) and takes us right through the war to the final atomic bomb and how the medics adapted and continued to do their stuff, including work on POW's. Good imagery to keep the reader's attention. Covers all theaters. An excellent background history, essential for students of WWII history.

A very well organized and researched book. Albert Cowdrey has written and collaborated on many other works regarding Military Medicine, but this is by far his best book. The trials and travails of Military Medical personnel during World War II are made clearly evident. The commitment to excellence in care is well documented. Fighting for Life is a must read for any Military Medical professional.Captain John Eddy, Medical Service Corps, U.S. Army