Zum Hauptinhalt springen
Nicht aus der Schweiz? Besuchen Sie lehmanns.de
Through the Rubble - Alan Playford, Penny Keogh

Through the Rubble

From Earthquakes to War Zones. A Story of Survival and Service
Buch | Softcover
368 Seiten
2025
Big Sky Publishing (Verlag)
978-1-923300-40-8 (ISBN)
Preis auf Anfrage
  • Titel nicht im Sortiment
  • Artikel merken
An unforgettable life of heroism, sacrifice, and resilience.
In Through the Rubble, Alan Playford recounts his extraordinary life, marked by the dramatic moment he emerged from the wreckage of the Newcastle Workers Club during the 1989 earthquake. Alan became a national hero after rescuing Norm Duffy from beneath the rubble. In news coverage that circled the globe, Alan embodied the courage and determination of paramedics whose lives inspire admiration.
For the paramedic known as 'Scoop,' this was simply another day on the job. To those who know him best, it was his destiny. Alan has been at the heart of defining moments in Australian history and global conflict, moments that forever changed the practice of paramedicine and saved millions of lives.
This gripping memoir traces Alan’s remarkable career, from his early struggles to modernise the ambulance service and launch helicopter rescue in Australia, to his life-saving work in global conflict zones. Alan served on the frontlines in Rwanda, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands, providing aid in dangerous environments and rescuing countless lives from the brink of death.
A pioneer in the field, in 1989 Alan founded the Westpac helicopter service, which has since been integral in saving lives nationally. His bravery continued during domestic crises like the 2003 Canberra bushfires, where his calm under pressure earned him Australia’s highest honours.
Alan shares dramatic moments of heroism and the emotional toll of a career spent on the frontlines. He reveals the psychological burdens borne by those who serve, offering a deep look into the personal sacrifices made to protect others. This memoir is both a thrilling account of one man’s life of service and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable odds.
Alan Playford’s Through the Rubble offers an unforgettable portrait of a true hero—someone whose courage, compassion, and determination have shaped paramedicine and saved countless lives, both in Australia and around the world.

Alan Playford is a trailblazer in the field of paramedicine, whose groundbreaking career spans over 40 years. In 1979, he defied a system entrenched in bureaucracy and political conflict to establish the now-iconic Westpac helicopter service, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. However, it was Alan's heroic rescue of Norm Duffy during the 1989 Newcastle Earthquake that thrust him into the national spotlight. His bravery that day became a symbol of the courage and dedication of paramedics everywhere. Throughout his career, Alan has served on the frontlines in global conflict zones, including Rwanda, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands. In these war-torn regions, he demonstrated extraordinary resilience, convincing murderous child soldiers to stand down, rescuing aid workers from perilous riots, and saving countless lives in the process. Back home, Alan’s calm and disciplined approach during crises like the 2003 Canberra bushfires has earned him numerous bravery awards and widespread admiration. Yet, his true legacy lies in his unwavering commitment to saving lives, despite the toll it has taken on his own. Alan Playford’s career is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit, blending heroism with humility. His life’s work continues to inspire countless individuals, leaving a lasting impact on paramedicine and beyond. Alan’s story is told alongside business writer, university lecturer, and journalist Penny Keogh. Penny’s meeting with Alan while writing the NSW Ambulance commemorative 125 year anniversary book led to a friendship which inspired this book. Over three years the pair pieced together Alan’s story.  

Erscheinungsdatum
Verlagsort Newport, NSW
Sprache englisch
Maße 3886 x 5842 mm
Themenwelt Literatur Biografien / Erfahrungsberichte
Sachbuch/Ratgeber Essen / Trinken Themenkochbücher
Recht / Steuern Strafrecht Kriminologie
ISBN-10 1-923300-40-7 / 1923300407
ISBN-13 978-1-923300-40-8 / 9781923300408
Zustand Neuware
Informationen gemäß Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR)
Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt?
Mehr entdecken
aus dem Bereich
das Grillbuch
Buch | Hardcover (2025)
Edition Michael Fischer / EMF Verlag
CHF 15,90
schnell, gesund und kindgerecht

von Dagmar von Cramm

Buch | Softcover (2025)
Gräfe und Unzer (Verlag)
CHF 19,90
Franz Kafkas vegetarische Verwandlung in 544 Rezepten

von Eva Gritzmann; Denis Scheck

Buch | Hardcover (2025)
Klett-Cotta (Verlag)
CHF 48,90