One Woman's War and Peace: A Nurse's Journey in the Royal Australian Air Force

(Paperback)

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Description

In 1999, idealistic 23-year-old Registered Nurse Sharon Bown left her comfortable family life in Tasmania and joined the Royal Australian Air Force with the aim of providing humanitarian aid to the world. Through her 16-year military career she deployed on three operations, barely survived a helicopter crash, struggled to return to military service, mixed in political circles in Canberra and around the world as Aide de Camp to the Minister for Defence, and commanded a combat surgical team during some of the most intense fighting in Afghanistan. During this time, she lost her mother to breast cancer and almost lost her policeman father to a homicidal psychopath on his way to shoot dead his girlfriend but who decided to kill a cop instead. From teaching East Timorese orphans to learn English to tending to wounded Coalition soldiers choppered into her surgical team from deadly battles on the Afghan dust, Sharons story is that of a sheltered civilian RN becoming a military Nursing Officer and a commander. Her military service was unique, varied and far-reaching but came at the cost of her physical and mental health. A broken back, shattered jaw and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are the price she has paid for a remarkable and inspirational career in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Reviews

"One Woman's War And Peace is truly beautiful, even in the dark and lonely times ... I dare you not to be touched or even moved after reading it through. Or even be filled with pride." -- Krystel Berger
"I was moved near to tears, for she hits right where it counts and made me proud to be an Australian" * Camden Advertiser *
"Its an amazing story of a sheltered civilian RN becoming a military nursing officer and a commander." * PS News *
"There have been many memoirs published by males who have been on active service and their often terrible histories, but this is the first I have read by one of our female officers. It has been a privilege to share Sharons journey and her easy style of writing made that journey an engaging one to follow" * Just So Stories *
"You can feel her pain following the horrific helicopter crash that left her with a broken back and shattered jaw as well as the graphic nightmares that followed...a moving account of the sacrifices so many make." * The Weekly Times *
"This important and timely book reminds us of the value and support that our veterans require, yet dont always receive." * Portland Observer *
"It has been a privilege to share Sharons journey and her easy style of writing made that journey an engaging one to follow. I urge you strongly to add this to your secondary collection or to put it on your to read list for your personal edification." * Just So Stories *
"inspirational" * Australian Nursing Journal *
"Sharons often traumatic story is one of great courage and compassion and highlights how service to the ADF can come at a great personal, physical, emotional and physiological cost." * Australian Defence Magazine *
"Sharons story is one which encourages and inspires readers to lead within their own lives." -- Karen Hardy
"Bown is a remarkable woman...(she) is open and honest about her feelings and how she has now found some peace. Telling her story of adversity and survival clearly helps her in the advocacy in which she is now engaged. Her story will also provide comfort and help for those who have suffered injury, mental and physical, in shocking accidents while serving their country or otherwise." -- Pamela Burton * A personal view of war and peace *
"This personal account displays nothing but optimism and determination to take on whatever the future held...It is a refreshing work that makes the reader aware of the determination an individual can possess to achieve an ambition to serve others. A very readable account." -- Neville Taylor * Book Review *
"(a) rare insight into Australian military service from a woman's perspective" * 180-Degree Turn: Three Inspiring Career Changes *

Author Bio

Wing Commander Sharon Bown (Ret'd) completed her Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Tasmania in 1995. She joined the RAAF as a Nursing Officer in 1999. During her service, she served overseas in East Timor and Afghanistan and was the commander of a surgical team deployed to Afghanistan in 2008.