The Lifesavers is the story of an unconventional group of men and women at the forefront of groundbreaking battlefield care in the Second World War.
As part of a new, pioneering service, they pushed and pulled blood from hundreds of thousands of donors into the veins of battle casualties all over the world. Transforming survival rates with an impact considered superior even to penicillin's, their innovations forged lifelines that allies sought to replicate but enemies – to their cost – did not. Some still inspire life-saving methods of emergency healthcare today.
Based on diaries, letters and other unpublished sources, The Lifesavers draws on the author’s research for his Oxford-based project Blood Far Forward, with support from the Royal Army Medical Corps, the Drummond Committee and a Wellcome Centre grant (203132/Z/16/Z).
A story destined to be told. A fascinating history of blood for the front line. Humbling, awe inspiring and life affirming. — Professor Sue Black, author of All That Remains
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