Where Angels Fear to Tread: The Memoir of a Humanitarian Aid Worker

'I was filled with apprehension about crossing the front line, but I would have risked my life to save just one child. Ivan was giving me a chance to save them all…' This is the extraordinary work of Sally Becker, a humanitarian aid worker who for over three decades has risked it all in order to help the children of war.

Where Angels Fear to Tread is a reminder that – with determination, unrelenting passion and drive – one person can change the lives of so many.

In May 1993, Sally Becker went to Bosnia to help the innocent victims of war. She started by delivering humanitarian aid to the region, and was soon hailed as the 'Angel of Mostar' for rescuing wounded children and their families from the besieged city. Sally continued her work throughout the conflict and is credited with saving many lives.

When President Milosevic ordered his troops into Kosovo, her missions continued, this time on foot across the mountains. While attempting to bring sick and wounded children and their families to safety, she was captured by Serb paramilitaries, but neither this nor being shot by masked gunmen in Northern Albania could make her abandon her task.

Bosnia was Sally's first mission and the beginning of her lifelong commitment to help rescue children caught up in some of the most horrific wars around the world, including missions to help children in Iraq, Ukraine and most recently Gaza.

Her account provides a rare and invaluable insight into the complexities of international aid work, the shocking reality of life on the front lines and the desperate race to save innocent children trapped in war zones.

This is her extraordinary story.

© 2025 HarperElement (Audiobook): 9780008741594

Release date

Audiobook: 10 April 2025