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What Members Thought
This is why memoirs are my favourite type of novel. I am adding this book to my favourites list. The book is blunt about war and the details are gruesome, but necessary. I cannot put down the right words to review this book. It was gruesome, inspiring, heart-stopping, dangerous, a page turner, and most of all it was true. Its truthfulness is what makes the story so gripping. In my ignorance, I do not think I can truly comprehend the heartbreak and terror Ishmael faced. I am astounded at his stre
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Instead of the usual I LOVED THIS, I HATED THAT, I'm going to just put my favorite excerpt of the book. It says it all.
"On the last day of the conference, a child from each country spoke briefly at the UN Economic and Social Council chamber about the country and experiences...I began by saying,'I am from Sierra Leone, and the problem that is affecting us children is the war that forces us to run away from our homes, lose our families, and aimlessly roam the forests. As a result, we get involved ...more
"On the last day of the conference, a child from each country spoke briefly at the UN Economic and Social Council chamber about the country and experiences...I began by saying,'I am from Sierra Leone, and the problem that is affecting us children is the war that forces us to run away from our homes, lose our families, and aimlessly roam the forests. As a result, we get involved ...more
This is a Child Soldiers memoir in the Sierra Leone war. Hearing about it in the news and reading the memoir are 2 different things altogether. I was shocked by whatever I read and I don’t think I will be this shocked for a long time to come. Sad, horrifying and unbelievable.
“My squad was my family, my gun was my provider and protector, and my rule was to kill or be killed. The extent of my thoughts didn’t go much beyond that. “
This book was difficult to read emotionally but as far as the writin ...more
“My squad was my family, my gun was my provider and protector, and my rule was to kill or be killed. The extent of my thoughts didn’t go much beyond that. “
This book was difficult to read emotionally but as far as the writin ...more
Powerful book that I consider a must read for anyone interested in what is going on outside of their small, safe world. Ishmael Beah describes how he, as a boy of 13 years of age, could participate as a boy soldier, committing hideous acts upon civilians as he was forced into labor in the army of Sierra Leone. He talks of how starvation, drugs, violent videos, and planting a desire to avenge the deaths of their families were used to induce children to act in unnatural ways.
Very graphic, horrific account of a boy's two year period as a boy soldier.
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Wow. What a wonderful and sad story of young boy soldiers. The thought of little children carrying guns bigger than themselves just tormented me. I think this is an important read for anyone.
Ishmael Beah did a good job of writing about some really heavy issues without making it too depressing.
May 23, 2008
Lauren
marked it as to-read
Jul 29, 2008
Terri
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Sep 25, 2008
Jerzy
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Sep 22, 2009
Sereyna
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Aug 06, 2012
Laura
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Dec 20, 2012
Derrick
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Nov 11, 2014
Doris
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Mar 18, 2017
Roman Colombo
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Jul 10, 2018
Laurie
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