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The Combat Doctor

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The Combat Doctor

By: Dr Dan Pronk
Narrated by: Dr Dan Pronk
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About this listen

'I had seen dozens of people die horrible deaths ... This time was different. This time it was a friend of mine dying in the dirt in front of me, and it was my job to save him.'

Dr Dan Pronk served on over 100 combat missions in Afghanistan as a frontline special forces combat doctor, where the casualties he treated were his fellow SAS soldiers and commandos, local civilians and even the enemy.

The thrill of adventure and the challenges of battlefield medicine brought out the very best in Dan; he discovered a sense of purpose in pushing his medical skills and courage to the limits. But there was a cost.

In this frank and vivid memoir, Dan describes the highs and lows of his military-medical career, and the very real toll they took on his mental health and family life. He writes movingly about the burden of saving - and failing to save - friends and comrades, the feelings of helplessness and despair that haunted him, and the journey back to a meaningful and fulfilling civilian life.

The Combat Doctor is an extraordinary story of resilience and growth, and a tribute to the doctors and medics working behind the scenes in conflict around the world.

©2022 Dr Dan Pronk (P)2022 Macmillan Australia Audio Medical Military & War Professionals & Academics Military

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Critic reviews

"I love Dan's insight from his beginnings as an everyday guy, who pushes himself into operating in a very, very non-everyday environment. A fascinating account of what it is like to go into battle, and the unseen mental battles that arise from the experience. Honest and inspiring. I loved it." (Hamish Blake)

"Dr Pronk walks us to the very gates of hell and points to the nightmare that is modern warfare. The thrall of combat, the dread of buried mines, and the shattered bodies of his mates all feature in this parallel universe that was Australia's war in Afghanistan. This is not some well-worn trope of heroism in war—it brings to life the ghosts of Australia's best fighters: their grit, their humour, and their final moments. These fallen sons both haunted and inspired Dan to live a complete life. A searing story: unforgettable and important." (Mark Wales)

"Beyond the headlines, popular imagery and mythology of SAS and Commandos, are stories of duty and devotion to one another. The Combat Doctor is both a participant and an observer—of skill, courage, death and growth from the traumatic aftermath of war. Step out of your comfort zone, accept the challenge to a better person." (Dr Brendan Nelson)
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Great listen on a warriors journey to the front line and the self repair

tiptop

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This was A great listen and I throughly enjoyed it. I look forward to reading further books bu the author

Excellent

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a Superb no holds barred look into the world of a Special forces/special operations Doctor and the pathway he took to get there, the toll combat ops took on him and the pathway to recovery. awesome listen!!

Gripping

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Absolutely brilliant piece of work.. I loved the story and his delivery during the Audible version, yes I got both.. I recognise so much of myself in his thoughts and memories.. His determination and drive to join his dream regiment, all be it, as an attached arm. His naivety of wanting the biggest deadliest fight and his emotional burn out when he realises that war is a nasty business and takes a horrendous toll on the body, mind and soul.. Not to mention his descriptions of a military life, war and loss also ring very true for me and some mirror match my own opinions and experiences... Especially the biggest battle of all, adapting to life after war, sadly I am less successful than Mr Pronk, regretfully mine remains Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome as apposed to his Post Traumatic Growth.. Despite all I've said, you don't have to have had a military life or similar experiences to relate to and enjoy the book, he is very nice and humble man and writes as if explaining to the layman so anybody could enjoy his work and maybe even better understand their own service person relatives who maybe didn't return the same but find it hard to put their struggles into words for their families.

On top of that he's also a very approachable person, I've messaged him a few times after being struck and impressed by his works and each time he has replied and we've enjoyed the banter of ex servicemen of the commonwealth Armies... Buy his book/books you won't be disappointed.

One of the best

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Excellent writing and really interesting content. I found it was really tough to pause the book as it was so gripping.

Thoroughly gripping and extremely well written

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Amazing to hear a medical experts perspective operating in war zone. Loved this book, and great performance.

Gripping

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Really enjoyed the journey with The Author. Well worth a Listen. At times you feel you're right there on the battlefield with him.
Well done Dr Dan & all you continue to do.

Great Audio book. Careful what you wish for Story.

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An interesting story of life in combat. I was disappointed in how little medical coverage there was compared to the detail of combat etc. many other better books on combat and if you want a good read on medics in warfare can recommend War Doctor also available in audiobooks

Interesting story but not what i hoped

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As a nearly graduated medical student I know of Dr. Dan Pronk from a lecture he did on gun shot wounds. I was very intrigued to see that he was a special forces doc knowing that these are few and far between. I followed him on instagram and was delighted to see that he had published the combat doctor. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his experiences from being a medical student all the way to his battles of PTSD. Thank you for sharing your invaluable lessons.

Awe inspiring and humbling

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If I could give 6 stars, I would. I listened to the whole book in 2 days, I couldn’t walk away from it. I laughed, I cried and I felt like I was there with him every step of the way.
Dans incredible stories of his time in the SAS and his inspiring, yet sometimes critical self-reflection makes for a fantastic listen. Highly, highly recommended

An unbelievable story of resilience & self-growth

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