Overview

Labyrinths explores the origins of thirteen books I have written in the past few decades, texts that have helped to define the emerging parameters of relief operations that inevitably follow armed conflicts or natural disasters. Widely used in international training programs, these books provide practical, specific approaches and solutions—to complex problems in a multidisciplinary field. But how, and why, and even when certain editorial decisions were made required a deeper probe, and Labyrinths looks back at the formative influences of childhood, adolescence, education, and early professional experiences. Many of the pieces in this volume predate the Fordham University Press Humanitarian Book series. They were written in a library in our beach home, overlooking sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean, with the rhythmic sound of waves and bird song as background music. In the quiet isolation of a seaside town I find respite from a busy life devoted to clinical medicine, public health, teaching, travel, and a global network of international humanitarian assistance projects. This book is dedicated “For the People of Point Lookout,” who have respected my privacy while I develop initiatives that have spread from this tiny hamlet to reach millions of vulnerable people around the world.

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9780823293650

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Reviews

Labyrinths are part of every sensitive being's life story. As I read our dear friend Kevin's memoirs, I cannot help but remember Boutros's too. In their doctor-patient relationship they seem to have developed a shared vision for the future of humanity. Its essence resides in humanitarian care; its realization is nourished by their wealth of personal experiences. Dr. Cahill's memoirs are quite revealing. They show us why and how the motives and methods for caring for the health of one being may be applied to humanity at large.--Lea Boutros Ghali At first glance, one might get the impression that Labyrinths is just another Irish-American memoir. To be sure, it does include richly detailed descriptions of Irish-American life in the Bronx and an even more richly detailed accounts of more than a few derring-do Indiana Jones-type adventures (albeit of a medical kind) in Africa and the Middle East. If the truth were told, however, this is far more than a simple Irish-American memoir. Rather, it is a modern-day Book of Wisdom, wisdom that Dr. Cahill learned in his long and groundbreaking career in the field of humanitarian assistance, wisdom that is summed up in a particularly moving way with this snippet: One quickly came to understand that tradition and culture were as essential as aspirin and bandages in running a rural medical program . . . that prejudice and economic exploitation are realities that must be faced if one is to fulfill the obligations of a physician. It is necessary to appreciate the cry of the Oppressed . . . if one is to practice medicine in a developing land, especially during and after periods of chaos and disaster. . . . One learned to adapt on the spot, to be imaginative and flexible, and to try to develop life-saving programs built on . . . understanding and humility. This is a modern-day Book of Wisdom that should be required reading for all who are in the work of international humanitarian assistance--and for career foreign service officers. --Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., President, Fordham University

Labyrinths are part of every sensitive being's life story. As I read our dear friend Kevin's memoirs, I cannot but remember Boutros's too. In their doctor patient relationship they seem to have developed a shared vision for the future of humanity. Its essence resides in humanitarian care; its realization is nourished by their wealth of personal experiences. Dr. Cahill's memoirs are quite revealing, They show us why and how the motives and methods for caring for the health of one being, may be applied to humanity at large.--Lea Boutros Ghali At first glance, one might get the impression that Labyrinths is just another Irish-American memoir. To be sure, it does include richly-detailed descriptions of Irish-American life in the Bronx and an even more richly-detailed accounts of more than a few derring-do Indiana Jones-type adventures (albeit of a medical kind) in Africa and the Middle East. If the truth were told, however, this is far more than a simple Irish-American memoir. Rather, it is a modern-day Book of Wisdom, wisdom that Dr. Cahill learned in his long and ground-breaking career in the field of humanitarian assistance, wisdom that is summed up in a particularly moving way with this snippet: 'One quickly came to understand that tradition and culture were as essential as aspirin and bandages in running a rural medical program...that prejudice and economic exploitation are realities that must be faced if one is to fulfill the obligations of a physician. It is necessary to appreciate the cry of the Oppressed...if one is to practice medicine in a developing land, especially during and after period of chaos and disaster... One learned to adapt on the spot, to be imaginative and flexible, and to try to develop life-saving programs built on...understanding and humility.' This is a modern-day Book of Wisdom that should be required reading for all who are in the work of international humanitarian assistance-and for career foreign service officers. --Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., President, Fordham University

At first glance, one might get the impression that Labyrinths is just another Irish-American memoir. To be sure, it does include richly detailed descriptions of Irish-American life in the Bronx and an even more richly detailed accounts of more than a few derring-do Indiana Jones-type adventures (albeit of a medical kind) in Africa and the Middle East. If the truth were told, however, this is far more than a simple Irish-American memoir. Rather, it is a modern-day Book of Wisdom, wisdom that Dr. Cahill learned in his long and groundbreaking career in the field of humanitarian assistance, wisdom that is summed up in a particularly moving way with this snippet: One quickly came to understand that tradition and culture were as essential as aspirin and bandages in running a rural medical program . . . that prejudice and economic exploitation are realities that must be faced if one is to fulfill the obligations of a physician. It is necessary to appreciate the cry of the Oppressed . . . if one is to practice medicine in a developing land, especially during and after periods of chaos and disaster. . . . One learned to adapt on the spot, to be imaginative and flexible, and to try to develop life-saving programs built on . . . understanding and humility. This is a modern-day Book of Wisdom that should be required reading for all who are in the work of international humanitarian assistance-and for career foreign service officers. -- Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., President, Fordham University Labyrinths are part of every sensitive being's life story. As I read our dear friend Kevin's memoirs, I cannot help but remember Boutros's too. In their doctor-patient relationship they seem to have developed a shared vision for the future of humanity. Its essence resides in humanitarian care; its realization is nourished by their wealth of personal experiences. Dr. Cahill's memoirs are quite revealing. They show us why and how the motives and methods for caring for the health of one being may be applied to humanity at large. -- Lea Boutros Ghali

Author Information

Kevin M. Cahill, M.D., (1936-2022) was University Professor and Director at the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs at Fordham University and the President of the Center for International Humanitarian Cooperation in New York City. He was also a Professor of Clinical Tropical Medicine and Molecular Parasitology at New York University and Director of the Tropical Disease Center at Lenox Hill Hospital. He served as the Chief Advisor on Humanitarian and Public Health Issues for three Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly and for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. His career in tropical medicine and humanitarian operations began in Calcutta in 1959; he carried out medical, relief, and epidemiological research in 70 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He wrote or edited 33 books, translated into many languages, and more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals on subjects ranging from public health and tropical diseases to humanitarian assistance, foreign affairs, Irish literature, and history. He held numerous Honorary Doctorates from universities around the world.

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