A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
by Ishmael Beah
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah holds a highly rated rating of 4.14 out of 5, based on 116.3K reader ratings. First published in 2007. The book spans 229 pages.
About A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
The devastating story of war through the eyes of a child soldier. Beah tells how, at the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he’d been picked up by the government army, and became a soldier.My new friends have begun to suspect I haven’t told them the full story of my life.“Why did you leave Sierra Leone?”“Because there is a war.”“You mean, you saw people running around with guns and shooting each other?”“Yes, all the time.”“Cool.”I smile a little.“You should tell us about it sometime.”“Yes, sometime.” This is how wars are fought now: by children, hopped-up on drugs and wielding AK-47s. Children have become soldiers of choice. In the more than fifty conflicts going on worldwide, it is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them. What is war like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer? How does one stop? Child soldiers have been profiled by journalists, and novelists have struggled to imagine their lives. But until now, there has not been a first-person account from someone who came through this hell and survived.In A Long Way Gone, Beah, now twenty-five years old, tells a riveting story: how at the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he’d been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts. This is a rare and mesmerizing account, told with real literary force and heartbreaking honesty.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Ishmael Beah |
| Published | 2007 |
| Pages | 229 |
| Kindle Price | $9.99 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, History |
| Average Rating | 4.14 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 116,260 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier?
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is categorized as Non-Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, History. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier worth reading?
Based on 116.3K reader ratings, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier has an average score of 4.14 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.
How many pages is A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier?
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier has 229 pages.
Who wrote A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier?
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier was written by Ishmael Beah. It was first published in 2007.
What is the ISBN for A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier?
The ISBN-13 for A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is 9780374105240.0.
How much does A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier cost on Kindle?
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is available on Kindle for $9.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
