My book, Not My Turn to Die: Memoirs of a Broken Childhood in Bosnia (March 2008, AMACOM Books), was reviewed by Stefan Wagstyl from the Financial Times:
Not My Turn to Die is the memoir of Savo Heleta, an ethnic Serb living in the mainly Muslim town of Gorazde who was 13 when war broke out. Unlike many Gorazde Serbs who flee the town, Heleta’s parents decide to stay – they have Muslim friends, and are well-known and liked in the community.
The enormity of their misjudgment dawns on them as ethnic Serb forces surround Gorazde and shell the inhabitants almost daily. Fear breeds hatred and hatred generates violence, even among people who know each other well. Even the fair-minded struggle to stick to their principles. The rest fall prey to savage prejudice.
Heleta’s matter-of-fact account is sparse. One would like to know more of the older Heleta’s thoughts on his ordeal and on his transformation from war victim to professional conciliator. But this is a powerful book, which shows how difficult it is to make peace after such a conflict, not least peace among neighbors.
Click here to read the full review...
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Savo Heleta is the author of "Not My Turn to Die: Memoirs of a Broken Childhood in Bosnia" (March 2008, AMACOM Books). He holds an M.Phil degree in Conflict Transformation and Management from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Visit www.savoheleta.com for more info.
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