Blood-Soaked Soil: From Early Life in Communist Yugoslavia to the First Months of War

by Mario Bekes

Imagine yourself in my shoes. Imagine being 18-years-old, and in just 24 hours the world you knew stopped existing.

Imagine being a teenager and learning all these skills that were designed for one purpose - to kill others.

Growing up in Communist Croatia (then part of Yugoslavia), Mario Bekes witnessed a lot of social unrest - before finding himself in the middle of the Croatian War of Independence.

Mario's world quickly turned upside down. One morning he woke to a knock at the door. His family and his girlfriend were gone. His neighbours were packing, fleeing the city. And the military were at his door, saying, "Report at the army barracks in one hour."

Minutes later, the city was being shelled - and Mario was off to fight in a war he'd never chosen.

Over the next few years he'd experience the horrors of war first hand - witnessing sheer destruction, death, suffering and broken hearts right in front of him.

156 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2021

Reviews

[Mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an honest, boots on the ground, story of a man who was there, fighting. The book doesn’t delve too deeply into dates, locations and the history of the war. It’s a simple, brief, yet effective personal account. The little details in the book, such as Mario and his team running into an enemy team during the lull of a battle, and only realising they were the enemy by their insignia after some time, really sums up what the war was like. His personal take on life and his final message to all is quite inspiring. Well worth a read.

[Cullen Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's no greater window into one's life than a memoir. And when a good friend of yours writes one, you of course want to read it.
Blood-Soaked Soil is the Mario Bekes story. Imagine yourself being just 18 years and the world as you'd known it is turned upside down; never to return.
You're at the beginning of your adult life, and suddenly you have to learn the basest of skills that were designed for one purpose; to terminate the life of another person.
Growing up in Communist Croatia (then part of former Yugoslavia), Mario witnessed a lot of social upheaval - before suddenly finding himself in the midst of the Croation War of Independence.
Mario was thrust into a role he didn't choose. One early morning his sleep was broken by the sound of aggressive knocks on his door. His family and the love of his life were missing and his next door neighbours were madly packing their things, ready to flee the city. He opened the door to find the military, suited and booted, with an order, not a request "Report to the army barracks immediately"
As soon as he started to make his way, the city was slowly being destroyed by the rebels - and Mario was off to fight in a war that he neither wanted or believed in.
Knowing Mario's enthusiasm and zest for life now, it lies in stark contrast to the absolute horrors of war he had to witness first hand - seeing ultimate destruction, death, desolation, chaos, pain and hearts being broken right in front of him.
While many would certainly have given up under such horrific conditions, Mario has not only just survived, but thrived; he's now a best-selling author, podcaster, guinness world record holder as well as Human Intelligence Expert.
As Nietzsche once said, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Mario is a testament to that.
Looking forward to Part 2.
Enjoy.
CPH