I'm back from vacation and I have to tell you about A LONG WAY GONE by Ishmael Beah. This book is #4 this week on the NYT Bestseller list. It is a very enlightening *true* story of a young boy in Sierra Leone forced to become a solider as means of survival as his family and country is destroyed by Civil War.
Ishmael tells how he is tragically separated from his family at 12 years old, and forced to find his own way with his young friends. He tells how he is brainwashed and drugged to commit the cruel and brutal fighting and killing that is so clearly against his nature.
The story is simply written but gives wonderful first hand insight into the life and mind of a child soldier.
It is hard to believe he is only 25, and has experienced so much in his short life (and now living safely in the United States). It makes you realize what a sheltered life we live in the US, and the evil that lurks in our small, small world. I give it 5 of 5 stars.
If you liked the movie BLOOD DIAMOND starring Leonardo DiCaprio, you might want to give this book a read.
On the NYTs Bestseller list:
HARDCOVER FICTION
Top 5 at a Glance
1. A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, by Khaled Hosseini
2. THE SECRET SERVANT, by Daniel Silva
3. THE QUICKIE, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
4. HIGH NOON, by Nora Roberts
5. THE TIN ROOF BLOWDOWN, by James Lee Burke
HARDCOVER NONFICTION
Top 5 at a Glance
1. LONE SURVIVOR, by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson
2. QUIET STRENGTH, by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker
3. GOD IS NOT GREAT, by Christopher Hitchens
4. A LONG WAY GONE, by Ishmael Beah
5. LEGACY OF ASHES, by Tim Weiner
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