In the sterile calm of a Western hospital, a heart defect is a problem to be fixed. In a war zone, it is a death sentence.
Dr. William M. Novick, one of the world’s foremost pediatric cardiac surgeons, has dedicated his life not to the polished halls of elite medicine but to the forgotten corners of the globe. His mission: to save the “blue babies”—infants with complex congenital heart defects—in countries where political instability, poverty, and conflict have extinguished all hope.
This is the raw, unflinching memoir of a decades-long journey into the heart of global chaos. Alongside his heroic, volunteer medical teams, Dr. Novick has brought life-saving surgery and sustainable medical training to over 35 countries, including Iraq, Ukraine, Libya, and Bosnia.

From navigating treacherous checkpoints and dodging mortar fire to performing delicate open-heart surgery with unstable power grids and limited resources, Novick recounts the operational nightmares and moral triumphs of his extraordinary career. He is not just treating patients; he is building a system of hope, training local doctors and nurses to continue the work long after he leaves.

Blue Babies, Bombs and Bad Places is an electrifying story of surgical precision amidst geopolitical chaos. It is a profound testament to the humanitarian spirit, proving that courage, conviction, and an unwavering belief in the dignity of every child can overcome the world’s most dangerous boundaries.