Ceasefire!: A true story of an Australian academic and his family’s long journey through war, terrorism, political and social conflict and its deadly consequences

by Ivan Molloy

This is a true story! On one level it is part my autobiography, on another it deals with three generations of my family’s active involvement in war, terrorism, political and social conflict, and the tragic emotional and psychological consequences my family endured as a result.
In 2009 as an Australian academic with expertise in global terrorism, and a one-time aspiring federal politician, I fled to France to try and deal with clinical depression, and associated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I was fleeing the nightmare of a destroyed career and a shattered family. As I tried to battle the ‘Black Dog’ of depression, suicide was a very real option for me. But first, I decided to write a book about my research and involvement with Muslim ‘terrorists’ and revolutionary guerrilla groups in the Philippines. It was a way of combating a public media smear campaign that destroyed my professional and private life. But to do this I needed to retrace both my own and my family’s earlier experiences with conflicts elsewhere which influenced me to choose such research. In so doing I discovered new realities about the psychological condition I was battling and how it impacted on, and haunted, my own extended family over generations, and all due to war and social conflict with horrific human consequences.
Ultimately I have concluded I’m certainly not alone in my struggle. I’m merely another casualty of a brutal primeval human phenomenon, which continually infects the psychology of the next generation. It is the phenomenon of the subconscious human struggle for the survival of the fittest. Now with a greater understanding of my condition I have, at least so far, managed a ‘stand-off’ with the Black Dog. I realise it wasn’t spawned by any particular condition of my own, but rather the very nature of human society. So far society still fails to take responsibility for spawning such a condition and instead still promotes the current dysfunctional and indeed deadly nature of what we consider as ‘being’. If we do not challenge and change our notion of what it is to ‘be’: then forget the Koreas, ISIS, nuclear warfare, etc., human kind will eventually just self-destruct.
How did I come to this realisation? It all played out in a small village called Ouroux En Morvan, in France.

482 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2018

Reviews

[George Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceasefire! is one of the most powerful and emotionally honest memoirs I’ve read in a long time. Dr. Ivan Molloy writes with a clarity and vulnerability that immediately pulls you in. What begins as an exploration of political conflict becomes an unfiltered journey into the human cost of war, trauma, and generational pain. I was struck by how vividly he brings each setting to life, from the tense, unpredictable atmosphere of Mindanao to the quiet, haunting loneliness of the French countryside. His descriptions of anxiety, fear, and the struggle to hold onto reality are written with such depth that you can feel every moment with him. This book doesn’t just tell a story; it reveals the layers of a man trying to understand the roots of his own suffering while honoring the emotional legacy of the generations before him. It’s beautifully written, unsettling, deeply human, and ultimately unforgettable.

[Melanie Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me with its honesty, intensity, and incredible storytelling. Dr. Ivan Molloy takes readers inside political conflicts and personal battles with the same level of detail and emotional weight. I appreciated the way he blends historical insight, field research, and raw personal experience into one seamless narrative. His account of working in the Philippines, navigating distrust, ideological tension, and real danger, is gripping on its own, but the emotional core of the book is his struggle with inherited trauma and the psychological collapse that followed. His reflections on family, identity, and the long shadow of war are some of the most moving I’ve read in any memoir. Ceasefire! is not just a book about conflict; it’s a book about the human heart under pressure, and the courage it takes to confront your own darkness. I walked away from it feeling enlightened, shaken, and grateful I had the chance to read it.

[Catherine Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is a remarkable blend of personal reflection, political truth, and emotional honesty. Dr. Ivan Molloy brings readers into the heart of conflict zones with an attention to detail that makes you feel like you’re standing beside him. But beyond the political intrigue and fieldwork, the most compelling part of the book is his inner journey, the unraveling, the self-discovery, and the difficult confrontation with trauma he had carried for years. His descriptions of anxiety, sleepless nights, fractured memories, and the pressure of expectations are written with a clarity that anyone who has faced emotional struggle will recognize. I found it courageous how he connected his story to the pain his father and grandfather carried, showing how deeply war shapes families across generations. Ceasefire! is beautifully written, intense, deeply reflective, and ultimately a story about reclaiming one’s own life. I highly recommend it.

[Josh R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceasefire! is the kind of memoir that stays with you long after you close the last page. Dr. Ivan Molloy writes with honesty and emotional depth, offering a window not only into geopolitical conflict but into the psychological battles that often remain invisible. What impressed me most was his ability to connect the complexities of international politics with the intimate lived experiences of fear, trauma, and survival. His storytelling is vivid, you feel the tension of the jungle, the isolation of rural France, and the weight of memories that resurface without warning. The moments of vulnerability are what make this book powerful. Molloy speaks openly about panic, mental strain, and the emotional shadows passed down through generations of men shaped by war. It’s a courageous piece of writing, rich in insight and full of humanity. I’m glad I read it.

[Dean B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not just a story; it’s an unflinching look into the life of someone who has endured unimaginable psychological and emotional trauma. The author lays bare their deepest fears, moments of despair, and the crushing weight of family legacy, yet somehow manages to weave a thread of resilience through it all. The writing captures the small, terrifying details of panic, the quiet moments of grief, and the relentless pressure of living with PTSD. It’s heart-wrenching, honest, and profoundly human, the kind of work that makes you pause and reflect on your own life and the unseen struggles of others. Reading it is an emotional workout, but also a testament to the power of survival and self-reclamation.

[Kevin J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books deal with inherited trauma and the mythology of war the way this one does. The writing is sharp, unfiltered, and emotionally loaded. The author manages to dismantle the ANZAC legend not with disrespect, but with lived experience, through a child’s awe, an adult’s disgust, and a researcher’s clarity.
The scenes with his father are some of the most compelling in the entire text. The trembling hands, the pride, the pain, and the moment when the façade breaks, it’s incredibly human. And the inclusion of the author’s own time embedded with insurgents and guerrilla fighters adds a powerful, modern counterpoint. This isn’t just history; it’s an examination of why men fight, and how those fights shape entire families for generations. Truly exceptional work.

[Ellis G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This piece is deeply moving because it shows both the fragility and power of the human spirit. The author doesn’t shy away from the ugly, painful truths, panic attacks, depression, haunting memories of family trauma, and the scars of witnessing war and conflict, yet there is also a constant undercurrent of determination, of refusing to be defined by suffering. Each paragraph is layered with emotion and reflection, painting a vivid picture of a life both shattered and rebuilt. It’s inspiring, humbling, and heart-wrenching all at once. This is the kind of writing that makes you want to confront your own fears, embrace your resilience, and never take your own journey for granted.

[Jack T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this feels like someone finally gave voice to all the things we hide behind closed doors. The author’s honesty about panic, depression, and lifelong trauma is unflinching, yet it’s also a testament to human courage. There’s a rare kind of intimacy here, a feeling that the writer trusts you to witness their worst moments, their darkest thoughts, and still come out of it stronger. It’s inspiring, humbling, and deeply moving the kind of writing that stays with you long after you’ve put it down.

[George R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work takes you on a journey through brokenness, grief, and psychological torment but it also shows the quiet power of rebuilding oneself from the rubble. The way the author captures both the physical and emotional landscapes of trauma is breathtaking. You feel the panic attacks, the haunting memories, and the weight of family and history pressing down, but you also feel the spark of resilience and determination to survive. It’s a compelling, authentic narrative that reminds us all that pain doesn’t have to define us, our response to it can.

[Samuel Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this book to hit me the way it did. Ceasefire! is more than a memoir; it’s a raw exposure of what war does to a family over generations. Dr. Ivan Molloy writes with a level of honesty I rarely see in nonfiction. The way he weaves together his own battles with PTSD, his father’s buried trauma, and his grandfather’s wartime ghosts is heartbreaking and courageous. I felt like I was sitting beside him in that cold farmhouse in France, watching him fight for his sanity. This is a book I won’t forget.

[Samuel Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who reads a lot of political nonfiction, I was blown away by how gripping and emotional this story is. Molloy takes what could’ve been a clinical analysis of war, terrorism, and geopolitics, and instead turns it into an intensely human narrative. His account of working in the Philippines, navigating distrust, violence, and hidden alliances, reads like investigative journalism crossed with a thriller. But at the heart of it all is a man trying to understand himself and the forces that shaped him. Absolutely unforgettable.

[Rebecca R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceasefire! is both a confession and a call to consciousness. Dr. Molloy writes with the courage of someone who has seen the cost of conviction up close. His story is deeply personal but carries universal resonance about justice, reconciliation, and identity. By the end, I felt moved not just by the events described but by the compassion and clarity with which they were told. It’s a book I’ll recommend to anyone who believes the truth still matters.

[Maritza N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few authors manage to weave personal narrative and political insight as seamlessly as Molloy does here. Ceasefire! is written with such vivid detail that I could almost smell the dust and tension in every scene. Yet amid the turmoil, there’s a quiet moral center that keeps the story from ever collapsing into despair. This is a book about surviving not just war, but the aftermath—the moral reckoning that follows.

[Adele A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone fascinated by political history, I found this book captivating. Dr. Ivan Molloy writes with the precision of an academic but the heart of a storyteller. His depiction of struggle, ideology, and redemption feels brutally authentic. You can sense the cost of every decision made in turbulent times. It’s not just a memoir, it’s a mirror reflecting the courage and contradictions in all of us.

[Evelyn K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceasefire! should be required reading for anyone trying to understand the long shadow that conflict casts on societies and individuals. The author’s ability to connect personal experiences to larger global movements is outstanding. I appreciated how Molloy never preaches; instead, he invites reflection. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after you finish, asking you to think about your own convictions and what you’d risk for them.

[Jeremy S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise. I expected a standard political memoir but got something closer to a psychological exploration of conscience and courage. Dr. Molloy’s honesty about his own vulnerabilities makes the narrative compelling and trustworthy. His storytelling feels lived-in, every place, every event carries weight. I felt transported into the heart of dangerous times yet always guided by a voice grounded in integrity and hope.

[Robert S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Ceasefire! both raw and deeply human. Dr. Ivan Molloy doesn’t just recount history, he lives it for us. The writing has a clarity that strips away any romantic notion of conflict and leaves you with the pulse of real people trying to survive and make sense of chaos. It’s a rare book that can be both scholarly and deeply emotional, and Molloy achieves that balance with grace. I came away with new respect for the complexity of political struggle and the endurance of the human spirit.

[Yolanda A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Gallipoli’s bloody beaches to modern conflict zones in the Philippines and Nicaragua, the author delivers a stark, unvarnished view of war. The combination of personal memory, historical detail, and reflection on myths like the ANZAC legend makes this story both educational and deeply affecting. You feel the tension, the fear, and the moral complexity of combat. A book that challenges assumptions and sticks with you.

[Cristina F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes this memoir stand out is its deeply personal approach. The author connects his own life to the experiences of his grandfather and father, exploring how war shapes individuals and families across generations. The descriptions are immersive the sights, sounds, and smells of battle feel tangible. More than just history, this book delves into PTSD, moral conflict, and the myths that surround national memory, making it a profoundly reflective read.

[James E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blending history, family stories, and first-hand accounts of conflict, the author paints a striking portrait of both heroism and horror. Gallipoli is described with painstaking detail, while later chapters show the complexity of modern warfare. The interplay of personal memory and historical narrative makes the book compelling, informative, and emotionally charged. A work that challenges romanticized ideas of war and reminds readers of its devastating human cost.

[Anna J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

From vivid childhood memories of his grandfather’s war stories to his own harrowing experiences in global conflict zones, the author delivers a narrative that’s both heart-wrenching and intellectually stimulating. He doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths the fear, the loss, and the consequences of violence. At the same time, there is a profound reflection on family, resilience, and human endurance. A deeply engaging and thought-provoking read.

[Benjamin M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more than a war memoir it’s a study of how trauma, courage, and myth shape lives. The author’s recollections span generations, from Gallipoli to WWII to his own experiences in Nicaragua and the Philippines. Each story is rich with detail, emotion, and moral complexity. It’s educational, haunting, and deeply moving. You come away with not only knowledge of historical events but also a vivid sense of the human cost behind them.

[Ellen C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The description of Gallipoli in this book is unforgettable. The vivid imagery the blood, fear, and sheer chaos of the beachhead pulls you in immediately. You feel the heat, hear the gunfire, and sense the terror of young soldiers thrown into unimaginable circumstances. Combined with personal reflections on family legacy, the author’s account makes history feel alive and painfully real. It’s a book that will haunt you long after the last page.

[Skye Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book captures the duality of war: the awe-inspiring courage of individuals and the horrifying consequences of violence. The stories are meticulously recounted, from Gallipoli to WWII to covert wars in the Philippines and Nicaragua. The author also shows the psychological impact that lingers long after the guns fall silent, highlighting PTSD and trauma across generations. A compelling and emotional read for anyone interested in war, history, or the human condition.

[John C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read many political biographies, but this one stands out for its intimacy. You feel like you’re in conversation with Molloy himself, listening, questioning, learning. His reflections on violence, ideology, and humanity are profound yet accessible. The language is crisp, the pacing tight, and the insights illuminating. This book restores your faith in what honest storytelling can achieve.

[Arielle S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how Ceasefire! makes you feel every moral dilemma. Dr. Ivan Molloy doesn’t glamorize activism or conflict; instead, he writes from a place of deep understanding and humility. The book is a journey through ideals tested by reality. It gave me a better appreciation of the human heart behind the headlines and reminded me that reconciliation often starts within.

[Patricia F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary memoir that reads like a thriller yet carries the gravitas of lived truth. Ceasefire! offers a window into the world of conflict and conviction that few outsiders could ever access. Molloy’s ability to balance intellect and empathy is remarkable. Every page reveals the tension between action and reflection, between the need to fight and the longing for peace.

[Jenny P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What struck me most was the emotional honesty. Dr. Molloy never hides behind ideology; he faces the human cost of belief head-on. His voice is steady, compassionate, and unflinchingly truthful. I read this over several nights and found myself underlining passages that spoke to the universal struggle to stay humane in inhumane circumstances. It’s an unforgettable read.

[Pablo S.]

The author blends history, personal memory, and social commentary into a compelling and haunting narrative. Stories of Gallipoli and WWII are interwoven with later adventures in war-torn countries, giving readers a sense of continuity and consequence. The book doesn’t shy away from discomfort, fear, or moral ambiguity, it embraces them. A challenging, enlightening, and unforgettable read.

[Raymond L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more than just a war memoir it’s a journey through memory, family, and human resilience. The vivid storytelling of both the author’s elders and his own experiences creates a layered narrative full of emotion. It’s gripping, thoughtful, and often shocking, providing insight into how wars shape lives, families, and national myths. The writing is honest, reflective, and impossible to ignore.