Written by a child soldier in Sierra Leone who, in part, dedicates the book "to all the children of Sierra Leone who were robbed of their childhoods." This book is best described by Sebastian Junger, author of "The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea":

A Long Way Gone is one of the most important war stories of our generation. The arming of children is among the greatest evils of the modern world, and yet we know so little about it because the children themselves are swallowed up by the very wars they are forced to wage. Ishmael Beah has not only emerged intact from this chaos, he has become one of its most eloquent chroniclers. We ignore his message at our peril.

Very thought provoking; both tragic and happy. Given to a coworker in Chadds Ford, PA.

This book was passed to me by a client colleague. As the mother of five, I had a hard time building up the courage to read it because I knew it would trouble me. After reading "The House at Sugar Beach" by Helene Cooper, which also describes a child's experience through war (in Liberia in her case) and makes reference to boy soldiers, I knew I needed to read this book. It is a compelling story that provides insight into one of the greatest evils in our world. Ishmael tells his story of how his village in Sierra Leone was attacked, his long journey with friends to keep safe from the war, and his eventual recruitment into the army and the battles that followed. There are a few chapters that were difficult to read because of the horrors this young man experienced. This book provided me with an understanding of how these wars profliferate and hopeful that the children can be saved. I commend him for the courage it took to relive his story to write this book so that we could be informed.