A beautiful memoir of a man that struggled through adversity to become a doctor who then gave back to those who suffered struggles like him in war torn countries.

I can’t even begin to imagine the horrors that this incredible man has been through, yet his sheer determination pushed him to educate himself to a level required for medical school, move halfway across the world, and enrol in a prestigious university. Life has not come easy to Waheed, yet still he persisted. This memoir was well written and fascinating. I really enjoyed it.

Wanted Arian was born and raised in war=torn Afghanistan before fleeing to the UK. This memoir covers, not only the hardships of life in Afghanistan, but of his struggles to initially ‘fit in’ to life in the UK

I am in awe of Dr Arian. Self-taught from textbooks and BBC World Service, he not only managed to study and obtain the grades to attend Cambridge and study medicine, but he also worked a number of jobs to support him and his brother.

I was entranced by the majority of this book. I will admit that the last 10% or so seemed to focus on awards and ceremonies for his charity work, and I found myself skim reading this until the end as it didn’t interest me as much.

In the Wars is a memoir about resilience and determination, it is Dr. Arian's account of how he went from being a child refugee from war-torn Afghanistan to working as a doctor in the NHS (all the while dealing with his own battles of anxiety and PTSD).

In the Wars is about daring to dream when the world is against you.

Dr. Arian's story is remarkable, his resilience and brilliance are so inspiring. In times like today when there is so much hate against refugees, stories like Dr. Arian’s are so important; learning and reading from refugees instead of politicians and the media that dehumanize them is the first step in the right direction.
If you prefer reading memoirs like War Doctor and learning about experiences very different from your own, this is the book for you.

(I also think this book would make a wonderful movie and I can’t wait to watch it when it becomes one!)

I assumed that In The Wars would be a medical memoir but it's actually more of a personal memoir and an account of how Waheed Arian struggled and fought to get an education and his desire to be a Doctor as oppose to writing about the work that he does as a Doctor. That being said, I did find the book fascinating. Being born and raised in Afghanistan during a period of conflict meant that Waheed struggled to even get a basic education. His absolute determination to be educated and to one day become a Doctor was amazing. He dealt with things that no child should deal with such as hiding with his family whilst the city was being bombed, hunger, poverty, severe illness, and leaving his family to be smuggled illegally into another country. It is very rare for a child to be so resilient and relentless in the face of what some may say to be insurmountable obstacles and his story is incredibly inspiring.
Waheed Arian has gone on to become a world renowned Doctor who has initiated and led projects that enable Doctors in Afghanistan to liaise with and share knowledge with Doctors from countries who are more medically advanced and have access to more sophisticated equipment. This has significantly improved healthcare for many Afghani people.
Readers who enjoyed Educated by Tara Westover should definitely give this book a try.

Thank you for the opportunity to read 'In The Wars'.

Waheed Arian has had the most extraordinary life from a childhood in war-torn Afghanistan, to seeking asylum in the UK as a teenager, then to studying medicine at Cambridge and now to have set up a wonderful network of medical professionals to help doctors working in countries in conflict.

It is remarkable that Waheed had such determination from a very early age. His devotion to his large Afghani family, his understanding of the importance in being the eldest son and his sense of responsibility shines through. I feel sad that he missed so much of his childhood and had to grow up so quickly. The horror he witnessed and the fear he experienced have no doubt inspired him to make a difference to so many other people. Admirable!

'In the Wars’ is a moving medical memoir by an NHS doctor and Afghan refugee. It offers a fascinating, if horrific, look into life in Afghanistan in the 1990s and the experience of growing up through civil war. It also paints a stark picture of what it’s like to be a refugee in the UK – the rigidness of the asylum system and the impact this can have. Latter chapters explore Dr Arian’s humanitarian efforts – the charity he founded to improve healthcare in Afghanistan and other war-torn countries, and how his experiences have shaped how he approaches humanitarian aid. Dr Arian writes in a simple yet effective way, making profound observations. A highly recommended read.

The story starts with fifteen-year-old Waheed in Feltham Young Offenders Institution. He’s just arrived off the plane from Afghanistan as a refugee, and immediately been arrested on charges of travelling on a false passport – a charge with up to ten years in prison. Waheed is confused and alone, not understand why he’s been arrested when he believes himself a legitimate refugee. His cellmate is there on charges of theft – Waheed doesn’t understand why anyone would steal when they have the chance to legitimately work and earn money. It sets the tone for the rest of the memoir – a story with moments of positivity and hope, but also one that shows the harsh reality of growing up in a warzone and navigating a deliberately hostile immigration system.

We then go back in time to Waheed’s childhood. Born in Kabul, his early life was relatively peaceful, albeit with some strange quirks he never thought to question – not being allowed to play outside, only his mum and eldest sister being allowed to answer the door. The eldest son, he was granted privileges not afforded to his sisters. However, life changed quickly – his father was conscripted into the military, but wanting to remain neutral deserted, leaving the family in a precarious social and financial situation. As conflict escalated, the family fled to their first refugee camp in Pakistan, with the rest of his childhood split between spells in Pakistan and spells returning to Afghanistan in the hope things would be better. The family was regularly separated, and Waheed was forced to grow up far earlier than he should have. There was a constant fear of death, and not just from conflict – he nearly died of tuberculosis in a Pakistani refugee camp aged just five due to a shortage of medicines. It was that experience that cemented in Waheed’s mind that he was going to be a doctor.

These early passages are shocking. Britain is taught woefully little about modern history, and the precise origins of the conflict in Afghanistan were new to me. Dr Arian covers them almost matter-of-factly – because to him, there was no other way of living. This makes them more profound than any dramatisation. There are happier moments – the birth of siblings, trips to family in the Afghan countryside – but these are mere blips in an otherwise bleak canvas. Its difficult to imagine how anyone survived – harder still to think that there are millions living like this today.

Barely a teenager, Waheed decides to enrol to study medicine at the Islamic University in a Pakistani refugee camp. This is not an accredited university, but the only way he can see of achieving his dream of becoming a doctor. However, his family choose to return to Afghanistan – leaving him, at thirteen, living a totally independent life. Waheed is a child surrounded by adults, and reading about this time is heartbreaking. The mental toll of separation is almost inconceivable. However, his joy in his studies is clearly apparent. There’s an interesting dichotomy between his joy of being so close to his dream, and the sadness of everything he’s giving up – plus the knowledge that, as fulfilling as the course is, it won’t actually give a qualification recognised anywhere outside the refugee camp.

In these chapters, Waheed also gives the greatest insight into the political situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and how the rise of various militant factions affects day-to-day life. Again, it’s a fascinating look at a piece of modern history that is rarely contextualised in Western media. Waheed’s drive and determination is admirable, and its impossible not to be affected by the plight of a thirteen-year-old separated from his family in search of a better life.

Its around this time that Waheed, naturally, starts to think about seeking asylum elsewhere to pursue his dreams. These passages are difficult to read in a different way. Waheed is hugely vulnerable to exploitation, and the way those around him use his plight is horrendous. Its one thing knowing that the UK – and many other countries’ – immigration departments are designed to put off asylum seekers, another entirely to read first hand how confusing and traumatic the process is. In many ways, Waheed is fortunate – he does make it to the UK, and whilst he’s initially treated like a criminal he eventually succeeds in claiming asylum for both himself and his younger brother. Reading this section, its clear Waheed’s success is in a huge part down to both luck and his own intelligence. Its clear that many others like Waheed will have had stories ending a different way.

Asylum seekers are not allowed to work. They receive housing benefit, but many landlords won’t accept tenants on housing benefit, and the benefits available don’t always cover the cost of living. Young asylum seekers like Waheed can access education, but are not given the knowledge of what qualifications will be useful to them – they must figure this out by themselves. Like many asylum seekers, Waheed works multiple jobs illegally to scrape together enough money to survive and build a life for himself. Once again, his sheer tenacity shines through. Its difficult to imagine just how hard this period was for him.

Against all the odds, Waheed makes it to medical school – initially Cambridge, then transferring to Imperial for the clinical years, a path that was common then. Here, his struggles take on a different note. A little older, and far less affluent, than his course mates, Waheed struggles to make genuine connections. His cultural background leaves him unsure how to interact with them – women especially. He also, for the first time in his life, starts to struggle academically. Elements of this section are harder for Westerners to relate to – his search for a wife, for example – but its interesting seeing why this is so important to Waheed and his family, and how the intersection of his Afghani and Western upbringing affects how he approaches things. The guilt he feels about betraying his roots is palpable and very moving.

The final part of the tale follows Dr Arian as he navigates medical training and sets up his charity, Arian Teleheal. Its lovely seeing how much joy he gets from his dream job and what being a doctor means to him. After so much suffering, its also wonderful to see him settled and happy with a family of his own. The guilt is still there – most of his family is still in Afghanistan or Pakistan, and he worries about leaving them behind – but there’s also the awareness that he’s helped them far more by taking the risk and leaving than he would have by staying.

The sections on the charity are interesting, but after a time become a bit repetitive. Arian Teleheal is a wonderful organisation, allowing doctors in countries like Afghanistan and Syria to access the knowledge of doctors practising in the Western world. Its expansion and achievements are incredible, but unfortunately the end of the memoir turns into a sort of list of them, losing some of the emotional impact of the rest of Waheed’s story. Teleheal appears to be the only reason he’s released a memoir – in the hope that his story will drive further investment and achievements for the charity – which is admirable. I hope it succeeds. Its a shame, therefore, that the Teleheal section is the one with the least poignancy and resonance to the reader.

Overall, ‘In the Wars’ is a powerful and moving story about living through conflict, the refugee experience, and one man’s determination to give back. Dr Arian is clearly an incredible person and I hope his charitable endeavours have the success they deserve. Recommended for those who want to learn more about an important piece of modern history and those just looking for a powerful, moving read.

I’ve studied and worked with friends who have left war-torn Afghanistan and moved to Europe, Asia, the United States of America, Canada for education/work, and improved lives. Here we get to explore Waheed’s life he left in a country that has been through so many wars with the Russian, Taliban and their own Civil War where people live in constant fear of their house being bombed, little food, education to a shortage of basic medicine.

As many children are smuggled into the country so was a teenage Waheed where he has had the difficulties of asylum/refugee status, run with the police and being arrested to working two jobs and studying keeping the drive, fire, ambition to become a doctor so that he can help people of all ages back home in Afghanistan once qualified as a doctor Waheed setups up the Arian Teleheal a charity that gives UK volunteer doctors in Afghanistan for advice/discussions. The charity has gone from strength to strength and global with winning a lot of awards along the way,

A truly interesting read and I would recommend anyone who has read War Doctor by David Nott will enjoy this book. A massive thank you to Random House publications and https://netgalley.com for this lovely book.

A real life superhero!

This book is the remarkable journey of a young boy in war torn Afghanistan growing up to make an impact on the world. Starting with a childhood of hiding from falling bombs to becoming a doctor in the UK and helping set up links to save people from around the world. I take my hat off to Dr Waheed Arian. Such an inspiration!

I highly recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This touching autobiography follows Dr Waheed Arian from his terrifying and traumatic childhood as a refugee from war-torn Afghanistan through to his arrival in the UK.
He is so determined to succeed as a doctor that he overcomes the many barriers in his way.
It leads to him setting up his own global network of doctors advising each other remotely, in Afghanistan and across the world.
It is an inspiring story too in terms of Waheed’s own family and how love endures even in the toughest of circumstances.
Above all, he writes well and you always feel you are in the hands of an inspiring and confident raconteur.
Touching ands accomplished, I’d thoroughly recommend it.

The blurb of this book piqued my interest, I'm so glad I chose to read it.

Waheed Arian is an inspiration to us all, he battles adversity to follow his goal and although he takes a different path from many others, he remains on that path until the end showing us his true values through his ultimate achievement.
Waheed's description of his home country and of his journey forward made me feel I was accompanying him throughout the story, I was eager to discover new twists and turns of the plot throughout.

The book was set out well, it was written well and was a real page-turner. It kept me interested until the end and I was disappointed when it ended, the true indicator of a good book.
Congratulations to the author!

In the wars by Waheed Arian.
A book of many parts, all of them wonderful.
Firstly a fascinating memoir and insight into a childhood in very tricky times in Afghanistan.
Secondly an escape adventure story, highlighting the plight of hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers and the challenges they face.
Thirdly an inspirational tale of achievement and success beyond anybody’s dreams.
Finally a heart-warming example of giving back and providing support by using your skills and gifts.
I loved every turn of the page, I simply couldn’t stop reading this book as I couldn’t wait to find out what the next twist, turn, lurch or leap was going to be. I was so moved by the setting of family front and centre throughout the entire book.
Waheed Arian is to be congratulated on absolutely everything he has ever done I think and this book is just the next stage of genius and delight in this gentleman’s life. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

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 helping others.

This is book is so raw and real, do not think it is a light read because at times you will be so hurt and caught up in the emotion of it all. I have a real interest in books like this and as a nurse who has worked in emergency care, palliative care, and now intensive care, the storyline resonated well with me. The book is very well written and I can not thank the author enough for sharing his very personal story.

This is such an inspiring book. Tracing Waheed’s life from war torn Afghanistan to the success he has achieved many years later. A potted but clear history of the country and the difficulties of existing among the bombs and both sides of a civil war - so much war. Civil, Russian, Taliban and the strength of the people to endure and cope. A lack of everything; homes bombed, little food, no schooling, hardly basic medicine. Just into his teens Waheed is smuggled into Britain, with the difficulties of refugee status, first imprisoned and then juggling jobs Ashe tries to catch up on his education, determined to become a doctor to help his people. The outcome is amazing, as after qualifying he set up Arian Teleheal, a charity to link UK volunteer doctors with those in Afghanistan for advice and discussion. The charity has since gone global and Dr Arian has garnered so many awards along the way, all richly deserved. I urge people to read it (and it is very readable!) it is so rewarding.
Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of this lovely book.