( 7 reviews )
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Posted: Dec 6 2008
didn;t know what to make of book when i saw cover but it was simply an awesome read. read in one sitting. couldn;t put it down. perfect.
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: May 18 2008
Author put his heart and soul into this memoir & it shows on every page. He not only went over to war-torn Sarajevo to pull himself out of his own deep, dark pit, but perhaps to do some good--if at all possible. It does get to you--on an emotional level & I've had to put the book down for a spell from time to time to collect myself; it is that touching. John Falk was truly the exception (to so many other journalists) who went over there for their own self-gain: ratings, a boost to their career & whatnot, never really giving a damn that the people of Sarajevo were under seige by the Chetniks and were being picked off like ducks in a shooting gallery (while on a desperate, daily quest for food, water and wood (to keep warm during severe winter months) He did what good he could do over there. No, he didn't stop the war, but he did enough; he did a lot more than a whole lot of other journalists, while battling his own demons. To reveal it here, might spoil your reading experience, so we won't say anything else about it. The other thing I did not fully understand regarding war correspondents who were over there (until I read this book) is that they had, pretty much, total freedom--at least to fly in or out of the country. So long as they had access to some money, these journalists could hop on a plane and fly to Italy, or wherever--to load up on great chow and drink--and then return to Sarajevo, where people were literally starving. I find this infuriating. This explains why the foreign correspondents always looked well-fed and nicely dressed. Hell; why not? They didn't have to scrounge around for food and/or water (and risk getting shot--well, some did get shot and even died over there, still...you get the pocture: they could hop on a plane whenever they wished and fly to Germany, Italy, France, etc., etc. stuff themselves silly and return to Sarajevo where misery prevailed for those trapped in the city and WERE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE) And the U.N? Forget the U.N--who pretty much made the suffering all the more possible. The only reason I did not give it five stars (which ordinarily I would have) is because the memoir would stay with the Sarajevo phase for three or four chapters, and then switch to the author's teen years and the setting in of his depression, but then just as you were getting into that part of it, the book would switch back to Sarajevo for another three or four chapters, etc. I mean I'd really be getting into the Sarajevo part, the people he encountered along the way and their various dilemmas & the memoir would, once again, switch back to his home down, college years, and all that. I understand, though, it was probably done this way because the author and his editor, no doubt, saw no other way of tackling the subject matter. It''s cool. It's still a terrific read and should give some people enough hope who may be suffering with depression as John Falk once did. Anyway, read it. John Falk gives you a unique take on what took place during the year he spent in Sarajevo. P.S. See SHOT THROUGH THE HEART, starring Linus Roache and Vincent Perez. Based on an actual "anti-sniper" Falk got to know while over there. Powerful stuff.
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( 2 of 2 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jul 26 2006
I saw the title in Borders one day and something about it just caught me. Maybe its because i was also 24, living in my mothers basement, and was on the better half of my own battle with depression, despair, and uncertainty in life. Either way, i went to the library a week later and checked it out. An easy read, and i definitely identified with it. I think the duality of the war and flashing back to 80's long island was a great way to write the story. It isnt a self-help book, its just a real interesting story. And easy to read and well written. Its really an inspriring coming of age story as well. The way he decided to just pack up and go to Bosnia was great. I only gave it 4 stars cause it wont change your life or be the best book you ever read, but it was very enjoyable. If you are going through a depression or hard times, id reccomend something by Dan Millman or Dr David Burns first, but anyone thats been there can really appriciate this book.
