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Not My Turn to Die: Memoirs of a Broken Childhood in Bosnia

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NOT MY TURN TO DIE: MEMOIRS OF A BROKEN CHILDHOOD IN BOSNIA tells of the author's struggle for life in 1996, just after the end of the Bosnia-Herzegovina war, when the then-17-year-old faced the man who had tried to kill his grandfather and terrorized his family during the war - a man who had been a former family friend. From his childhood pre-war to his internment, freedom, and eventual healing, NOT MY TURN TO DIE will find its place in any general-interest library.

The book was short, straight forward and profound. Almost like a long NYT or LA Times article, which reports and steers away from editorializing. Knowing what little I know of the Serbian/Bosnia Muslim war, I think one could have easily switched the nationalities as both groups foisted misery and atrocity on one another. Just like the American and Vietnam war...like any war. The main message I get from Savo was that in the context of war and armed conflict there are 1) very bad sadistic people, 2) very good, kind and brave people and 3) apathetic cowardly people. It is obvious that if there were many times more good people and less of the other two there would be less atrocity and murder. Let us hope the message of the book isn't muffled too much by the lingering hatred and distrust on both sides. Bravo Savo! You have restored the faith in your generation that you, collectively, have much to offer the world. From his book I get the message that we must counter hatred, revenge and murder with reconciliation and the brave heartedness that goes into doing so. More reasoning and forgiveness and fewer guns and killing will be the only pathway to more peace in the world.

Mr. Heleta's story is a great book for anyone trying to understand the tangled web of the war in the former Yugoslavia. His story is filled with sadness and despair, yet in those tragic times, Mr. Heleta has found courage to share his story and to make a difference in this world sometimes filled with turmoil. I recommend this book to anyone learning about the former Yugoslavia, war, or looking for inspiration. Thank you to the author for sharing your experiences.

I have been honored to say I have witnessed this process from the first draft to it's published work. The story has grown from its infancy on the computer in my basement to an inspiring story that opens one's heart to understanding.

Savo's story is a "so absorbed that I forgot to eat dinner" read. He describes the pleasures of a simple life that we can all empathize with. In this globalized world, we realize our commonality within this human experience. Yet, shows us how quickly humanity can devolve into a torrent of violence.

This story will imprint its mark of hope, generosity, and goodwill beyond the grasps of blind hatred. I am thankful this story will be shared.

Savo Heleta has written a riviting first hand account of his childhood years in Bosnia. I found the book endearing and yet a page turner of a story that takes one to the heart of war and its effects on civilians caught in its grip. Mr. Heleta recounts his years of suffering at the hands of people that were once neighbors and friends but with the advent of war people that have turned from caring and friendly to vicious haters.
Mr. Heleta has written a heart warming story that ends in hope and peace. I thank the author for humbly sharing his families suffering and dashed dreams of a peaceful Bosnia.

I'm 21 and live in the States. I read Savo Heleta's book "Not My Turn To Die" and all I can say is.. WOW! I read it through cover to cover in two days. His story touched me in a life-changing way. I can't give this book enough praise and Savo Heleta does such an extremely good job of detailing his experiences clearly, in a way that makes sense to the reader and moves one to think and to feel. There wasn't a dull moment, nor a misplaced detail. I just couldn't put this book down. EXCELLENT.

Not My Turn to Die is a must read for everyone. The truth and ugliness about war and hatred are illustrated through the eyes of young Savo Heleta whose family was made to suffer for two years at the hands of people they once considered friends. Page after page takes you back to the early 1990s and into the heart of the conflict in Bosnia that most of us observed from afar in the safe havens of our own homes, thinking the situation unfortunate but never knowing exactly how horrific it truly was. Through his book, Savo provides a much needed human face to the pain and oppression that takes place during a war, in a time when such a reminder is needed. The world is a much better place because he has shared his story that highlights despair, but more importantly, hope, kindness and forgiveness. It is quite the page-turner and it will evoke every possible emotion within you. You will not look at life in the same way by the time you've read the last word.

My parents tell me the same thing. "Don't take revenge. Don't stoop to their level." But never in my life has an experience justifiably sparked an all-consuming, searing desire to fiercely and mercilessly avenge myself. Savo Heleta has experienced such horror to warrant that vengeance.

And he chooses his future over violently avenging his past. He listens to his father, the head of a remarkable family, and, by emerging a man of rare quality, proves to his readers that behaving hypocritically, acting monstrously and barbarously as his oppressors acted, would have been far more detrimental to him than to his potential victims.

In this war-torn tale of destruction and fear, akin to those of Ann Frank and Elie Wiesel, Heleta tells us of neighbors and friends who morphed into bitter enemies because a political system decided that segregation and ethnic cleansing would enrich their lives. Before the political upheaval, Bosnian citizens of Serbian, Muslim and Croatian descent generally coexisted peacefully and perhaps even blissfully; the envy of America. Perhaps the over-used cliche, "Birds of feather flock together", should be rescinded from public consciousness, because when the cliche was imposed, all hell broke loose. War. Death. Destruction. Horror. Fear.

The truly majestic strength of Savo's book put me to shame. Even in a life relatively painless, I, like so many others, search for the evil and blind myself to the good. Heleta's narrative, though horrific and more tense than Hollywood historical fiction dramas, counters savage terror with humanitarian altruism and God's interference. These simple affections and the "timely luck" inspire those who suffer to see God while those who have comparatively little reason to complain curse Him for the evils in their lives.

To paraphrase Heleta, the divide between ethnic groups are illusions. There are good, bad and indifferent people. I cherish his perspective and I am inspired by it. Perhaps we can learn a little more about how we treat these people from reading this book; the tale of a man whose integrity and character exemplifies the best in humanity.

Savo Heleta's experiences during the Bosnian War were horrific and maddening yet ultimately, his autobiography resembles a guide to peace and reconciliation rather than another sad, brutal war tale. Over and over again, Savo and his family members escaped death. I'm sure I hesitated to turn the page more than once for fear that one of the Heletas would not greet the next day, but Savo's voice kept beckoning. Even when he described moments without hope, I sensed such devotion to his dreams and love among his family in these pages that I just had to remain committed to their survival. This book is a huge contribution to the memoir genre and a great, straightforward introduction to the Bosnia and Herzegovina conflict, particularly for Westerners whose knowledge of the topic has only come from secondhand news reports. I encourage every history/political science teacher to add it to their curriculum too!

As a freelance writer and English tutor, who is also the mom of two young teen-age boys, I offer nothing but huge praise for this magnificent book! Couldn't put it down. My favorite genre has long been Memoirs, and I took a special interest in young people caught up in relatively recent wars after reading "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah last winter. Now I feel extremely lucky to have just picked up Not My Turn to Die: Memoirs of a Broken Childhood in Bosnia, which I devoured in less than 2 days. I was spellbound by hearing the "voice" of a 13-year-old boy describing truly horrific obstacles, and how he managed to survive. The story was truly remarkable, the writing gripping, and Savo's enduring dedication to his peace-keeping goals and principals a rare and beautiful thing.

Also as a mom raising two sons, I feel I should say "kudos!" to Savo's parents for nurturing such an amazing human being. Their resilience and steadfast love throughout such incredible odds is likely what made the difference between Savo and his Bosnian friends who weren't so fortunate. He has pluck and talent to spare, and I've no doubt he'll have continued success in his future.