My War Gone By, I Miss It So

My War Gone By, I Miss It So chronicles British war correspondent Anthony Loyd's experiences covering the Bosnian War in the 1990s. The memoir follows his time in Sarajevo, Central Bosnia, and other conflict zones as he documents the violence and ethnic cleansing that characterized the conflict. Between battlefield reporting, Loyd reveals his struggle with heroin addiction and the psychological impact of witnessing war crimes. His accounts move between London and Bosnia as he grapples with both the pull of combat journalism and his personal demons. The book combines raw frontline journalism with deeply personal reflection, creating a record of both historical events and individual transformation. Through his dual perspective as both observer and participant, Loyd explores themes of war's seductive power, human cruelty, and the complex relationship between trauma and addiction.

Readers describe this as a raw, unflinching account of war reporting in Bosnia and Chechnya, highlighting both combat journalism and Loyd's personal struggles with heroin addiction. Readers appreciate: - The brutal honesty about addiction and PTSD - Vivid descriptions that avoid sensationalism - Complex examination of why people are drawn to war - Balance of personal narrative with historical context Common criticisms: - Meandering structure between war zones and London - Some find the drug addiction portions overemphasized - Writing occasionally becomes self-indulgent Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (200+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Shows the addictive nature of both war and heroin without glamorizing either" - Goodreads reviewer "Most honest war memoir I've read" - Amazon reviewer "Too much focus on personal demons rather than the conflict" - Goodreads critic

WarWar bySebastian Junger::: A reporter's first-hand chronicle of combat and human nature in Bosnia and Afghanistan matches Loyd's raw examination of war's psychological impact on soldiers and journalists.

The Forever War by Dexter Filkins A New York Times correspondent documents the interconnected conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq through personal experiences that mirror Loyd's unflinching portrayal of modern warfare.

Another Bloody Love Letter by Anthony Loyd Loyd's follow-up work continues his journey through conflict zones in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sierra Leone with the same intensity and personal reflection found in My War Gone By.

Love Thy Neighbor: A Story of War by Peter Maass A journalist's account of the Bosnian War presents the ethnic conflicts and human experiences that parallel Loyd's observations of the same period.

War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges A foreign correspondent examines war's addictive nature and psychological draw across multiple conflicts, complementing Loyd's introspective analysis of combat's allure.

★ Anthony Loyd initially went to Bosnia as a war photographer but found himself more drawn to writing, eventually becoming one of Britain's most respected war correspondents ★ The book's unusual title comes from Loyd's brutally honest admission of becoming addicted to both war and heroin during his time covering the Bosnian conflict ★ Loyd comes from a family with a strong military background - his great-grandfather fought in the Boer War, his grandfather in WWI, and his father served in WWII ★ The author returned to London between assignments in Bosnia and developed a serious heroin habit, which he chronicles alongside his war experiences, creating a unique parallel between battlefield and personal chaos ★ Despite its dark subject matter, the book received widespread critical acclaim and won the 1999 MIND Book of the Year award, which recognizes works that enhance understanding of mental health issues