It starts out with Dr. Dorothy Kinney's life in before she meets Fred and has their two children. Then, it discusses their life in the Philippine Islands before the Japanese occupied it, and then their lives in an internment camp.
It was slow and not a lot of feeling went into the book it felt like. I never knew that this all happened and it just reminded me of the Holocaust which it wasn't.
It was a good book but just really slow.

Received this book as an ARC for my honest review

"Courage in a White Coat" is a wonderful novel about what people can endure without losing their humanity. Dorothy's devotion to her cause and her willingness to give so much of her in the service of others is really inspiring. I was worried that the novel would depict her as too perfect and flawless, but it actually took the time to portray some of her weaker moments which made her feel more realistic.

What I didn't really like about this novel is that it switched tenses and included diary entries and letters without using at least a line break to indicate the switch in narrators.

Once again I was fooled to believing I was reading an autobiography but it turned out to be a loosely based novel. I must be more careful in my choices. I did not finish this book - sorry.

This is based on the true story of a woman missionary and of how she didn't let anything stand in her way, not even a war, when it came to fulfilling her mission. This woman had true grit and character. Even though it was a fictional account of her experiences, there is some accuracy in there.

This book grabbed my heart in the first few pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the true story of this young female missionary doctor, in a time when that took lots of courage! The book is well written and researched. Knowing it is true adds to the awe! I highly recommend this if you enjoy biography, WWII, medicine, historical narratives, or just plain good stories about good people! Read it!

Courage in a White Coat by Mary Schwaner

This tale of courage under duress is timeless and filled with insight into the life of a woman who dedicated herself to making the lives of others better. With her hands, mind, creativity, love and talent she gave, healed and loved without giving up her dignity.

I found this book fascinating. Why? Because though this story took place eight decades ago it is still relevant. There is history, love, romance, family, war, oppression, derring-do and so much more that is relevant and educational in this day and age.

The writing flows and sweeps the reader up into the time and place of Dorothy Kinney as she is working as a physician in a women’s hospital in India. It speaks of her cases, her life, her challenges and also gives a glimpse into her life in the 1930’s in a place that was a whole lot different than you or I have ever experienced. Dorothy deals with much both physically and emotionally and always trusts that her future will unfold as it is meant to. She is happy that it eventually leads her to meet Fred, marry and have a family. Her life takes her from India to the Philippines where she continues to work as a physician during peace and later as a prisoner of war. Her strength is immeasurable and amazing and her story one that I believe others will definitely enjoy reading.

NOTE: As a child I heard mission stories every week at church. I waited eagerly to hear them even contemplating becoming a missionary at times. That is not the path my life took and religion does not play the same part in my life it once did. Even though this is a story of a missionary who trusts in God it is also the story of a woman that all will admire…no matter their belief or lack thereof.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the ARC – This is my honest Review.

5 Stars