I’m catching up on the wonderful China History Podcast, as it weaves back and forth through the history of China. This episode on Dr. Norman Bethune was a great surprise. Most Canadians don’t know his story, but it’s arguable he’s the most famous Canadian in the world.
The episode follows his work with the Spanish Communists fighting against fascists, his medical breakthroughs and his work to aid the Chinese during the Japanese invasion of the second Sino-Japanese War.
“This week we look at the Canadian and international hero Dr. Norman Bethune. Bethune is a staple among noted western friends and advisors who came to China in 1938 to help the Communists and the people in their struggle against the Japanese. He was not only a great friend of China, but a gifted and brilliant man of medicine as well who had a great impact on thoracic surgery in his day.”