In the short span of thirty-four years, Thomas A. Dooley touched, and changed, the lives of hundreds of people all over the world. From secretaries and publicity men to presidents and kings, he gathered a loyalty and devotion unknown to most men of his age.
Who was this Tom Dooley who was able to accomplish so much in such a short time? Doctor America answers this and many more questions about this flamboyant, temperamental, dedicated Irishman. He was neither a brilliant scholar nor an always popular schoolmate. When he decided to go to medical school, many of those he worked with predicted a nice, soft society doctor career for him. How dramatically wrong they were!
Tom Dooley became a Navy doctor and while on a mission, "Passage to Freedom," to evacuate people from Communist-held North Vietnam, he saw human suffering that was unbelievable. This was the start of MEDICO, and the "society doctor" was to live, work and save lives in Laos among conditions almost as primitive as those of the Stone Age.
In August of 1959, Dr. Dooley found out he had cancer. Extensive operations were performed, but Tom knew his time was short. In January of 1961 he died, but not once during the two painful years before his death did he stop traveling, lecturing and doctoring. Only when he could no longer stand did he have to give up the fight.
Terry Morris has told Tom Dooley's story honestly and excitingly. She has not glossed over his faults nor tried to make him anything but what he was, a man and a doctor who had a job to do. The result is a fast-moving, exciting and fascinating book.
—from the dust jacket
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