Claire Bertschinger

The story of the woman who inspired Live Aid, one of the true heroines of our times...An ordinary woman who did extraordinary things and really did move mountains

Brings to life the famine and wars most of us know only through the news media. Here is the reality of Africa

One of the most enduring images of the Ethiopian famine that shocked the world in 1984 was that of the young International Red Cross nurse who, surrounded by thousands of starving people and with limited supplies, had the terrible task of choosing which children to feed, knowing that those she turned away might not last the night. That nurse was Claire Bertschinger, and those pictures inspired Live Aid, the biggest relief programme the world had ever seen. 'In her was vested the power of life and death,' Bob Geldof said. 'She had become God-like, and that is unbearable for anyone.' Michael Buerk, whose BBC documentary first showed those pictures, persuaded Claire to return to Ethiopia almost twenty years later. For all those years she had been haunted by the terrible choices she had been forced to make. But when she met them again, the survivors welcomed her back with open arms.<br/>
<br/>
Born in Essex, Claire Bertschinger had to overcome dyslexia to qualify as a nurse. When she joined the International Red Cross, she fulfilled a zest for adventure and a passionate vocation for relief work. She has worked with the war-wounded and hostages in Lebanon, with the Mujahidin in Afghanistan, and with victims of civil war and displaced persons in Uganda, Sierra Leone and the Sudan. Working in war zones she often came under fire herself while trying to save the lives of others.

Moving Mountains

About us

About Us (Header 4)

Kate-Atkinson

James-Baldwin

Marian-Keyes

haruki-murakami-320×320-1

Richard-Osman

Malorie Blackman

Lisa-Jewell

Charlie-Mackesy

Authors (Header 3)

Children&#039;s

Company

Discover

Fiction

Non-fiction

Penguin Classics

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Work with us

prhuk-authors

Penguin Shop: 3 Clothbound Classics for £33

Claire Bertschinger

Praise for Moving Mountains

The story of the woman who inspired Live Aid, one of the true heroines of our times...An ordinary woman who did extraordinary things and really did move mountains

Her incredibly inspiring life story

A harrowing, emotionally charged account

The story of the woman who inspired Live Aid, one of the true heroines of our times...An ordinary woman who did extraordinary things and really did move mountains

Her incredibly inspiring life story

A harrowing, emotionally charged account

The story of the woman who inspired Live Aid, one of the true heroines of our times...An ordinary woman who did extraordinary things and really did move mountains

Her incredibly inspiring life story

A harrowing, emotionally charged account

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter