Ruth Waterman, a professional musician, tells of her time as guest conductor of a little orchestra in Bosnia soon after the end of the war there. The Mostar Sinfonietta needed her skill as a conductor, her access to music and not least her expertise as a player. As explained on the back cover after her first meeting with ‘the multi-ethnic ensemble in 2002 she has returned regularly to the region, teaching, conducting and performing and listening to their stories.’ Interspersed with her ‘diary’ of her times in Bosnia are the stories of the people she met. Their experiences of the war, how their lives have been affected ever since, in fact a glimpse of what it is to be caught up in the horrific events of inter-ethnic battles within your home town. Not just in your own country, but right there on your own street, between your friends and long-term neighbours, who it had never occurred to you could so quickly and devastatingly become your enemies. And yet there is hope. This title is informative and well worth reading.