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

Sometimes humorous, at times tragic, often deeply moving, Sharon Bown's story is that of a courageous, compassionate, and inspirational woman who has experienced a life most of us could never imagine. When Sharon, as a young Registered Nurse from Tasmania, joined the Royal Australian Air Force it was with the goal of providing humanitarian aid to the world. She never imagined that, on her retirement, she would have served in East Timor, Bali and Afghanistan - working to save the lives of others, but almost losing her own.As an Air Force Officer, she not only survived a helicopter crash that left her with a shattered jaw, and a broken back, but fought back from her injuries to resume her military duties. As commander of a combat surgical team during some of the most intense fighting in Afghanistan, she made sure that the first and last sight for any Australian soldier on the operating table was the Australian flag. As a nurse, she experienced the heartbreak of losing patients, some of whom she and her team had battled for hours to save.'Wing Commander (Ret'd) Sharon Bown's One Woman's War and Peace is a powerful, inspiring, must-read story of Anzac Spirit ... She is all of them. And she is one of us.' ~ Lee Kernaghan OAM 'Sharon's story is one that is rarely heard. One of Compassion, Commitment and Courage.' ~ Mark Donaldson VC'[This] book ... will stay with you forever. It will remind you that even in your darkest hours there is hope.' ~ Kay Danes OAM 'An honest and inspiring account of one woman's life in the service of her country. Sharon has experienced the lowest of lows and the highest of highs, yet in every circumstance, Sharon's amazing courage shines through.' ~ Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFK (Ret'd)