This book is powerful, challenging and inspiring; at the same time a short and easy read. Though focusing on abortion, the main message is about practical love and exploring more deeply God's heart of compassion - learning to see people as he does.

Philip Clarke takes the sometimes abstract command 'love your neighbour as yourself' (Matthew 22:39), and shows us how to make it real in our everyday lives. In recounting his experiences as a GP in Southampton, he explains that showing compassion can be challenging. However, it is in the difficult people that compassion proves the most powerful witness, where God works most radically.

The author highlights the need to love the lost and broken before expecting them to understand the concept of a loving saviour. He illustrates the importance of us, Christian medics, fighting valiantly for God's will whilst not rejecting those who go against it. When advising a female patient against abortion, this may mean ensuring that communication channels remain open so that she can return for support and counselling even if she went ahead with the procedure. A Heart of Compassion renewed my excitement and enthusiasm for facing the challenges of being a Christian doctor.

Helen Reay is a third year medical student at Cardiff University .