"When renowned surgeon Dr. Joseph Agris (aka 'Dr. Angel,' aka 'The Crazy Texan') first began traveling to Nicaragua on his medical missions, the country was still an active war zone, decimated by the effects of the Contra-Sandinista conflict. It was Bedlam on several levels: hostile insurgents and drug dealers were everywhere, medical care was almost nonexistent in many areas, poverty was rampant, and to make things worse, natural disasters were a frequent threat. Because of the war, many places were extremely dangerous for Americans, who were viewed as the enemy by the Sandinistas and their Cuban and Russian allies. But Doc Joe and his team were there to provide desperately needed medical care to the children--and adults--whom the rest of the world seemed to have forgotten. With the aid of his intrepid medical teamand the local doctors and nurses, some world-class journalists, a forward-thinking new Nicaraguan president, an eccentric small-town mayor, a flamboyant madam, and, perhaps, an angel on his shoulder (reinforced by a pistol when needed), Doc Joe brought hope, healing, a promise of peace, and possibly a miracle or two to a country urgently in need of all of the above. And in the process he fell so deeply in love with this beautiful but troubled country that he has returned there year after year on medical missions." -- page 2 of cover.