A Long Way Gone - Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah is the true story of Ishmael who at a very young age was transformed from a boy who loved doing normal things like other boys did at his age to an angry, merciless soldier full of hate and ready to kill the enemy. As I read this book, it brought images of young boys I have seen on television holding up machine guns and being brainwashed to kill the enemy. After being rescued and taken out of that kind of brutal environment full of drugs, hatred, and rage Ishmael is now a spokesperson who tells of his life story and of many who are now at a very young age being forced to fight in wars and hate with the heart. Stories like this where children are placed in very adult situations are always hard for me to read. I can't imagine how a child can be brainwashed to hate and kill.
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