Eliot Rosewater Reading Update: A Long Way Gone

I just finished Ishmael Beah's book, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier.


Ishmael lost his home and his family during Sierra Leone's civil war. From that point, he and his friends fled from one village to another, struggling against starvation and unable to find safety. Throughout their flight, they searched for their families.

However, instead of sanctuary, Ishmael found the army. He was given weapons and taught to kill. The army urged him to take revenge against those who had stolen his former life. During this time, Ishmael and other boys like him were traumatized beyond belief.

As someone who has grown up with total knowledge and confidence in my own safety, I find it difficult to imagine life without it. One of the few drawbacks of life here in the U.S. is that we can so easily overlook conflicts in other countries. That is why Ishmael Beah's story is so important.

I encourage all of you to read this book.