What an absolute amazing book, gripping, heart wrenching and full of hope.
This book and the story that is portrayed by this young man took a lot of courage and bravery to put forth to the public.
After seeing first hand what horrors that this boy went through makes you feel like a fool for all the minor things that have made us mad.
With any luck future stories form young men like this might help end the use of children as solders and make this world a better place for all of us to live.

I appreciate this book a great deal. It takes a huge amount of courage to admit that one committed such heinous crimes. It was a very sobering and illuminating book for me -- but one that I am very glad I read. I do wish he had written a bit more about what happened to him after he escaped from Sierre Leone.

This book is a must read. I am so appreciative to Ishmael Beah for having the courage to write his memoirs. This book challenged me to look at things in a whole new light. It educated me in a way no textbook could. Please read this book. It will inspire you, humble you and introduce you to one courageous and talented man.

One of my best reads ever as far as autobiographies go. A sad story about the effects of war. It's right up there with Left to Tell.

I cannot express how much I love this book. It was so moving, so touching, so beautiful. It was written in such a simple way I think many people could grasp his emotions even if the reader has never felt the way Ishmael has. This man's story is remarkable, he survived war, drugs and withdrawal, rebels, and he outsmarted death. His family was brutally murdered, many of his friends died, and he was rehabiliated. He went through so much pain and trauma and he survived, he also gave some insight to people oversaeas. His memoir shook me to the core and has forced me to change my outlook on many things. You have to read this book, and after you've finished you can't help but admire this amazing human being. I will never forget this mans story, it's not something you can easily forget.

Ishmael was long way gone, from mischievous, fun-loving boy to deadly stone cold soldier. He tells the story of his sorrow of losing his family, being abandoned by society, and viewed as dangerous when he was only hunger. Then the betrayal of being recruited as a soldier. He speaks with honesty, emotion and stark reality. He also shows us the strength of the human spirit, the power we have to endure heart wrenching situations and still triumph and succeed with grace, dignity and humanity. He is a fantastic storyteller, a truth teller and an inspirational success.

This book is breathtaking. You will not want to take it down and I guarantee you will have a new perspective of how horrible the conditions truly are over in Africa. This is not a "night time" read that you can pick up and put down, the author captivates you and brings him to his world, his life a few years back.

This is the most heartbreaking book I have ever read in my life. I will never forget it.

I enjoyed this book and learned a lot about child soldiers. It's too bad they are forgotten way too much in our society. They have no idea what it's like to be a child, to be able to play and enjoy life.

I saw Ishmael Beah on The Daily Show, and he appeared to be such a well-mannered, soft-spoken gentleman. His story is horrific, and it is hard to believe when you look at the picture on the back cover that he is the man telling the story. I am so grateful his life was spared to tell the tale of so many. I would have liked the book to have been even longer, with yet more detail about his current life. Does he continue to battle drug addiction? Does he still have nightmares/migraines? How has he adapted to western life?

This is a very powerful book that chronicles the experiences of a rehabilitated child soldier from Sierra Leone. Beah's writing is extremely articulate, and his detailed account of child soldiering provides valuable insight into a global issue many people know very little about. This book is an emotional portrait of the brutality of Sierra Leone's civil war, and the merciless practice of recruiting child soldiers. It is, however, also an inspiring look at the rehabilitative efforts of the UN and various NGOs, and the story of one young man's journey from hate to forgiveness.

Good read, couldn't put it down! Inspired, motivated and made me greatful for the peace in our Country even if at times it seems there is no peace to be found.

This is a difficult subject to read about. Ishmael tells his story with an enchanting African storyteller's voice. He draws the reader into his community, his family and his childhood. Ishmael shows us how circumstances don't neccessarily dictate our outcome; but who you are dictates how we are able to survive and/or thrive. You will be richer for having met Ishmael.