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  • In the Wars

  • A Story of Conflict, Survival and Saving Lives
  • By: Waheed Arian
  • Narrated by: Waheed Arian
  • Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (55 ratings)
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In the Wars

By: Waheed Arian
Narrated by: Waheed Arian
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

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

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 $100 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. 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's a tale of courage, ambition and unwavering resilience in the face of all the challenges that life can throw in your way.

©2021 Waheed Arian (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"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. 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. This is a book which thoroughly deserves to be read and celebrated. I was moved and delighted by it." (John Simpson)

What listeners say about In the Wars

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  • M.
  • 12-11-23

Spectacular story and an incredible vision

Astounding life story, Waheed's drive to realise his life's ambition and the subsequent development of the charity makes for jaw dropping listening. w
How he is changing the methods of medical provision in parts of the world where it is desperately needed is stunning in its simplicity. I am keen to see what he achieves over the next decade.

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Extraordinary! Determination to follow your dreams

A truly inspirational story of a young refugee ....A highly talented and focused individual who in the face of adversity, overcame so many obstacles and persevered to fulfil his dreams... What a wonderful human being. Beautiful diction...for his audio book.. delightfully read by the author 👏🏻🌟

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Wow! What a great read!

I can’t recommend this book enough. I really enjoyed it, even though some of it is so sad. For me it was a reminder that those who dream and are driven to make those dreams come true really do make it! Thank you for sharing your story Dr Waheed Arian

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Everyone should read this book

In the wars is the most brilliant book I can highly recommend reading (or listening too) it tells the truth about refugees and how hard their Journey to have a life free from war and trauma really is. A brave account and determined to help others is admirable

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Glimpse into another world

Loved the story of Waheed’s family’s struggle to survive in hostile conditions. Felt I needed to hear his experiences arriving in the UK. We shared the same college. It made me wish I had been more welcoming and sensitive to overseas students. A book of two halves - history in part one, accomplishment and ambition in part two.

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This true life story should be taught in schools.

What an astonishing human being. A must read. Simply wonderful. Waheed, you are loved by strangers who have never met you. What a legacy you have created.

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A MUST LISTEN

This story is truly inspirational and I would 100 percent recommend everyone to listen to it. The story of a child refugee who overcomes all odds to make it in the UK achieving heights that native children with all the resources at their finger tips are not. A story of bravery, of curiosity and seemingly never ending tenacity. You will be astonished with what Waheed went through as a child and his struggle to make it in the UK on his own. Overall, it resonates profoundly now during this pandemic where it helps to put our own problems into perspective

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Couldn't stop Listening

This is my first audible book. It was the best choice for me. Almost meant to be... I took so much away from it. An absolute roller-coaster or relatable emotions. I needed it.

I didn't think I'd be able to pull off a 9hr nonstop marathon at my age, but I couldn't stop Listening. I feel honoured to have had such a prolific humanitarian narrate his life story thus far.

I have seen first hand some of the situations Waheed explains in his book, and I'm humbled by his selfless warrior resolve. Waheeds vision for a better world and a simple approach to attain it is so refreshing... one of hope for the future, in both the medical field... and human. More power to you.

10/10

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Inspiring

I really enjoyed this book. It is truly an amazing story and an amazing man.

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breathtaking.

A beautiful and poignant story. The story of a dream and the courage to chase it and realise it. A dream not just for one person but for the world. Thankyou Waheed. 🙏

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