The site contains Dr. Itzhak Brook's book, "In the Sands of Sinai, a Physician's Account of the Yom Kippur War." It also contains links to obtain the book in paperback and Kindle format from Amazon.com.
The book describes Dr. Brook's personal experiences, struggles, fears and challenges as he cared for his soldiers' physical and emotional needs, including their post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It gives a perspective of the 1973 war that shaped the author's own life and Israel's identity.
A link to order a paperback or Kindle version (in amazon.com) or e-book of " In the Sands of Sinai- A physician's Account of the Yom Kippur War."
TheYom Kippur Warwas launched in 1973 in a surprise attack bySyriaandEgypt. This Arab-Israeli war posed the most serious threat to the existence ofIsraelin modern history.Even though Israel was eventually able to achieve a military victory, the country paid a steep price, both in lives lost and in the citizenry’s confidence in their leaders and themselves. Deep within the psyche of the nation, this conflictshattered conventional wisdom that the country was invincible.
This book recounts the author’s personal experiences as a battalion physician during that time. Expecting to heal his soldiers’ physical combat wounds, Brook unexpectedly must address his soldiers’ psychological battlefield trauma (Post TraumaticStress Disorder). It describes how he coped with his soldiers’ medical and psychological issues, the daily struggle of survival in the battle zone, and everyone’s growing anxiety. Through the lens of one participant, the reader can experience the resourcefulness exhibited during the time of war and the struggle to preserve one’s humanity in the midst of it all. In unvarnished details from the mundane to the catastrophic, he describes his perspective of a war that shaped his own life, and his nation's fragile identity.
Pictures of the events described in the book are shown below.
Major General Gadi Shamni, the Israeli Military Attache in the USA is presented the book "In the Sands of Sinai" by Dr Brook at the Israeli Embassy on July 10, 2012.
Dr. Brook is a speaker for the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC, USA on the Yom Kippur War.
Lectures about the Yom Kippur War and the book "In
the Sands of Sinai" signing took place at:
National Museum of American Jewish Military History,
Washington DC on April 18, 2012.
The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, Fairfax
Virginia, May 21, 2012, Jan 9, 2013
(Beth El Synagogue, Alexandria), Apr. 23, 2013 ( Northern Virginia Hebrew
Congregation, Reston), May 20, 2013 (L. W. Leesburg, Virginia), and Jun 17,
2013 ( Beth Shalom Temple, Fredricksburg, Virginia);
Milken Jewish Community Center, West Hills, Los Angeles,
Cal., May 29, 2012;
Beth El Synagogue in Bethesda Maryland ,Nov. 4, 2012;
Oseh Shalom Synagogue, Laurel, Maryland, Nov. 11, 2012; the,
Jewish Cultural Center, Reading Pennsylvania, Nov. 18, 2012;
Jewish Community Center, Springfield Massachusetts, Nov. 29,
2012;
S. S. Wise Temple, Los Angeles,California, Dec. 3, 2012;
The Great Neck Temple, Long Island New York, Dec. 16, 2012;
on May 22, 2013 about the psychological challenges as a physician during the
YK War and the similarities between being in war and facing cancer
Announcement of a talk about the Yom Kippur War at the Jewish Community Center, Vancouver, B.C., on Sep. 29, 2013. A new French-German documentary about the Yom Kipur War '"Journal De Guerre - War Diary 1973" was aired in 2013. It is a perspective of the war from the point of view of individuals who participated in it. Dr. Brook was appears in the documentery. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x26oksn_1973-journal-de-guerre_shortfilms
Dr. Brook presentation to Hadassah Northeast, Boston, MA, May 1, 2016
On Tuesday , May 1, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.,the FIDV hosted an fund raising event at The Jewish Center in New York City. Dr. Itzhak Brook and Col. Bentzi Gruber (of the Israeli Defense Forces).
Dr Brook discussed his recently published book, “In the Sands of Sinai: A Physician’s Account of the Yom Kippur War.” and signs copies of it. All proceeding of the book’s sale were donated to the FIDV.
Col. Bentzi Gruber talked about “Ethics in the Field: An Inside Look at the Israel Defense Forces.”
Dr Brook Speaks at the FIDV lecture
Friends of Israel Disabled Veterans ( www.fidv.org ) is the American-based fundraising arm for Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization (ZDVO), also known asBeit Halochem.Beit Halochem, established in 1949, directs and manages five facilities which provide therapeutic and recreational facilities, as well as sports and academic scholarships, to over 51,000 disabled Israeli servicemen and women.
A lecture about the book took place at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, Washington DC on April 18, 2012. Commemorating Israeli Independence Day the author Dr. Itzhak Brook MD MSc, CDR Ret MC US Navy lectured and presented his new book “In the Sands of Sinai: A Physicians Account of the Yom Kippur War.”Proceeds for the books sales were donated to the National Museum of American Jewish Military History and the Jewish War Veterans Association.
Dr Itzhak Brook lectures at theat the National Museum of American Jewish Military History
Over thirty-eight years have passed since the Yom Kippur War took place in October of 1973, but its impact on me has not faded. I still think about the war and relive my experiences again and again. This war posed the most serious threat to the existence of Israel in modern history and shattered conventional wisdom about the country’s strengths and lack of vulnerability throughout the psyche of Israeli society. It came as a surprise to everyone involved and the army’s lack of preparation and consequent delay in calling up the military reservists inflicted a heavy toll on the entire population. The only thing that saved the country was the bravery of the Israeli soldiers who sacrificed their lives in many cases to compensate for the lack of equipment and supplies. What also helped the country to regroup and turn the tide of the war was the buffer provided by the Sinai desert and the Golan Heights which delayed the advances of the Egyptian and Syrian armies. The weapons supplied by the United States to replenish the dwindling stocks of the Israeli army were also instrumental in Israel’s ability to turn an initial defeat into a painful and costly victory.
This book recounts my personal experiences as a supply battalion physician during that time. It describes my personal experiences, struggles, fears and challenges. One of the most important lessons I learned was that war is both ugly and challenging and boasts no glory. My experience firmly convinced me that war should be avoided at all costs and should be the option of last resort. Yet, in the end, it is manifestly and sadly true that, when the survival of a nation is at stake, war may be the only choice.
I want to dedicate this book to the soldiers of my battalion who stuck it out during this horrific war. They overcame the many difficulties we faced and performed their mission, despite constant danger, as they heroically conquered their fears and anxieties. Some of them paid the ultimate price to do that. May their memories be blessed.
Enclosed are pictures taken before and during the Yom Kippur War showing events described in the book.
A drawing by Itzhak Brook MD entitled "The Yom Kippur War" (1980)
A column of Israeli tanks and an Israeli jet during the Yom Kippur War
Evacuation of wounded Israeli soldiers during the Yom Kippur War
Evacuation of wounded Israeli soldiers during the Yom Kippur War
Wounded Israeli soldiers in Sinai during the Yom Kippur War
Israeli armor personal carrier serving as a medical care unit during the Yom Kippur War
Israeli tanks crossing the Suez Canal to Egypt in the Yom Kippur War
Israeli tank in Sinai during the Yom Kippur War
The medical team [ left to right; Dr Brook, Avner, Zvika, and Yossi (Morano)] of the supply battalion of the "Steel Formation" Division (1972)
The medical team of the supply battalion of the Steel Formations division during the Yom Kippur War ( From left: Ehud, Dr Brook, Avner, Yossi, and Zvika)
Dr Itzhak Brook during divisional maneuvers in Sinai 10 months prior to the Yom Kippur War
Graduation of IDF medical officers course, 1971.
In middle front is Dr. Achikam Avni (Feinstein) who fell in 1974 evacuating wounded soldiers in Mt. Hermon. Dr. Brook is in the 2nd row, 2nd from right.
The supply battalion of the "Steel Formation"division in action refueling trucks in Sinai during the 1973 Yom Kippur War
Convoy of Israeli tank transporter and supply trucks in Sinai during the Yom Kippur War
Israeli armor personal carrier carrying supplies in Sinai during the Yom Kippur War
Israeli convoy in Sinai during the Yom Kippur War
Israeli troops convoys during the Yom Kippur War
Golani Brigade soldiers carry their dead and wounded comrades after recapturing Mount Hermon
An Israeli officer praying during the Yom Kippur War
An Israeli military cemetery for soldiers who died during the Yom Kippur War
Israeli military Independence Day parade in Jerusalem five month before the Yom Kippur War
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