| Motivational & Inspirational |
|
HomeShop at BookSurgeSelf-HelpMotivational & InspirationalParamedic to the Prince: An American Paramedic's Account of Life Inside the Mysterious World of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 38 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 found the following review helpful:
 A great book on many levels Oct 20, 2008
By Bug
"-BLG"
This was definitely a hard book to put down. It contained fascinating information on many levels, from what it's like to be a paramedic, to being an American in Saudi Arabia, to life with the Crown Prince (now king), to a glimpse into the lives of the Saudi elite, sexuality, and the corrupting qualities of power and wealth. I particularly liked Notestine's analysis of how Saudi life has been corrupted by oil money and by what can only be described as rampant narcissistic personality disorder (my phrase, not his). From the youngest ages, children are spoiled. Boys are raised by women they're not bound to respect. Enormous unearned wealth, combined with foreign workers who are virtual slaves, results in people with no boundaries, with an innate sense of entitlement and privilege, a feeling of being special and different, to whom the rules of ordinary mortals do not apply. Jobs are handed out based on who you are, your personal connections and influence, rather than what you have achieved through hard work and education, meaning there's little motivation to achieve anything, no sense of responsibility, and contempt for those who do work. Religion, which in some (notably the Crown Prince, who Notestine seems to respect and admire) has the potential to curb immoral or excessive behavior, is in practice seldom used in that fashion, as rampant hypocrisy leads to lives of public morality and private debauchery in clubs and on foreign vacations by Saudi princes. The sexism is simply breathtaking in its pervasive destructiveness and cruelty. It also presents horrifying glimpses into the lives of the foreign guestworkers who do the bulk of the work of the country, and their mistreatment (as seen in the worst case scenario of "Maid Jumping Syndrome"). I would recommend this to anyone interested in Saudi Arabia, or even those interested in Islam or Al Qaeda. It is in this nation that Al Qaeda, and fundamentalist Islam, have their modern roots. The book will definitely offend many, but it's no bitter, propagandistic invective against either Islam or Saudi Arabia, but rather a (relatively) nuanced view of the nation, though of course biased in terms of the experiences Notestine had. As he himself admits, one is bound to get a skewed view when knowing nothing about a country and then working in an emergency room there for two years. Due to Notestine's placement, this is probably one of the most intimate views one can have of what life is like among the ruling elite of Saudi Arabia that is not told by a member of the family.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Fascinating read - highly recommended Jan 29, 2010
By Eva Sheppard
"Avid Reader"
I decided to buy this book after reading the review by Jean Sasson (author of the Princess series). I have read many books about Saudi Arabia, mostly written by western expatriates who spend a year or two there, and then write a book professing to understand a country as unique as it is complex.
This book stands out from the rest. The author is a Californian Paramedic who spent over ten years working at all levels of Saudi Society. Including being on the medical staff of King Abdullah. His passion and commitment to his work comes across, from the blood and carnage of treating Bedouin children in the emergency room, to treating the royal family of the House of Saud.
The book grabs you by the throat from the very first page and never lets you go. It is about so much more than paramedicine. It delves into contrasting social issues and the rise in terrorism, in one of the most fundamentalist Islamic countries in the world.
Amid the serious nature of the book, there are many lighter moments such as the pet Baboon that Notestine bought from the local animal market, which escaped and ended up riding the employee bus to the hospital.
This book is truly a must read for anyone interested in the Middle East or just true life adventure. As a journalist and observer of the human condition I find the author highly perceptive.
A book that should not be missed.
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
From another paramedic in Saudi Arabia Dec 26, 2009
By Michael Olson
As an American paramedic currently working in Saudi Arabia, I found this book fascinating. It is a real look into an entirely different lifestyle than what we are used to in the US. This book shed light on new subjects for me and allowed me to understand better the way Saudi people think. Life is very different in this part of the world and Nottestine does an outstanding job of letting people get an inside look into that life. Very few Americans ever get to set foot in Saudi Arabia and experience life in the Middle East. I think this book should be a required read for all paramedics, nurses, and doctors from the United States that are coming to Saudi.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
This book is highly recommended because it is vital, funny and original... Jan 13, 2010
By Jean Sasson
Patrick Notestine has written a winning book about a "hot button" country, moving effortlessly from the shock and horror of treating children of trauma and tragedy to kicking back for a relaxing outing in the beautiful Saudi sands. Who could have imagined that a young man raised in laid-back California could so seamlessly link with the very complicated Saudis -- a people and culture like nothing else on this earth. It's no wonder that he was chosen to work for Crown Prince (now King) Abdullah. Notestine could be sassy and sharp-tongued, yet you feel his intensity of concern for his patients. I'm so happy that this book came my way and I suggest that you don't miss it.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
What an Adventure Mar 11, 2010
By M. Schulz
From Tom's pet chimpanzee to his patients with partially chopped off heads from a sword fight, this book is a hell of a ride from start to Finnish. As a Paramedic heading over to Saudi Arabia soon for my own adventure I picked up Tom's book for work related information, but what I found was an amazing well written adventure full of incredible story's. It also provided me with how life for a Paramedic in Saudi is. I highly recommend this book for EMS workers and People heading to the middle east to work. However neither is required to enjoy reading this book. All people who just like to read an amazing true story about the journey this man takes are welcomed.
See all 38 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
|
|
