Book description
When Ishmael Beah says, "I was twelve years old when I learned to kill," the words land like a stone in still water. Not a story read, but a truth spoken into your ear, the raw, unvarnished voice of a boy who carried an AK-47 before he knew how to carry a book. Listening to A Long Way Gone as an audiobook is not passive consumption; it's an intimate, almost unbearable, descent into the heart of a war that stole childhoods. Beah's voice, steady yet haunted, doesn't just tell you what happened-it makes you feel the weight of the rifle, smell the gunpowder, hear the silence after the crack of a shot that became his only lullaby.
The beauty here is in the devastating simplicity. He doesn't scream; he simply states: I danced to the rhythm of gunfire. The audiobook format amplifies this. You hear the pause before he describes the day he killed a man, the slight tremor in his voice as he says, "I was not a killer. I was a child." The rhythm of his speech becomes the rhythm of his survival-fragile, urgent, a heartbeat against the roar of conflict. You hear the Sierra Leonean landscape in his cadence, the way the land became a stranger, the way laughter turned to ash.
This is not a book about war's grand strategy, but about its intimate horror: the way a child's hands, once used to hold crayons, learn to pull a trigger; the way drugs numb the terror so that the terror becomes the normal. Beah doesn't seek pity. He offers witness. His voice, clear and present, carries the unbearable weight of a truth we often turn away from: children are not just victims of war-they are its instruments, its living proof of humanity's collapse. You hear him describe the government army's "training" not as a process, but as a slow unmaking: "They gave us drugs to make us forget who we were." The audiobook makes the forgetting visceral, the drugs a tangible fog in his voice.
What makes this recording transcendent is its quiet humanity. Beah doesn't become a symbol. He remains Ishmael, the boy who loved rap music, who dreamed of becoming a rapper. The horror isn't in the violence alone-it's in the contrast, the way his voice softens when he recalls his mother's laugh, then hardens again as he recounts the day he stopped remembering it. The rhythm of the prose, now spoken, flows like a river carrying both light and debris. "The land was unrecognizable," he says, and in that phrase, the entire broken world of his childhood is contained.
This is the power of the audiobook: it strips away the distance. You don't read about the child soldier; you hear the child soldier's voice, trembling with the memory of the boy he was. The final lines-"I am no longer that child. I am the man who was him"-land not as a resolution, but as a fragile, hard-won dawn. To listen is to understand: survival is not the absence of trauma, but the courage to carry it. Beah doesn't ask for your tears. He asks for your attention. And in that attention, in the space between his words, you find the echo of every child who ever lost their way home. Listen. And remember.
Slinger
This app has completely transformed my commute – I look forward to it now! ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights – it's a true audio marvel.
Airport Hobo
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient! Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful!
LyRz
With this app, reading has become an integral part of my daily routine. Automatic metadata retrieval adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection.
Steel Cut Toe
With this app, I've turned mundane tasks into moments of inspiration and education – it's brilliant! 🎧 This app is my saving grace! Now I can enjoy my beloved books while cooking up a storm! 📚🍳 Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a true marvel.
Tornado Maker
Audiobooks have become my go-to gift for friends – and they all love it! With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. This app has made my workouts and chores so much more enjoyable. I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's the perfect way to stay engaged and informed. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
Overrun
I've become a more empathetic listener and reader, thanks to the power of audiobooks. The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
NemesisX
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any hassle. 📱 Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories – this app is pure magic! 📚✨ ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Renegade Slugger
ListenBook's extensive library and user-friendly interface have made it my go-to app. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
3D Waffle
The app's design is sleek and modern – it's a pleasure to navigate. With this app, I've turned my everyday moments into meaningful opportunities for growth and learning. I love how this app fits seamlessly into my daily routine. The playback speed control is a game-changer. ListenBook lets me listen at my own pace. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Morbid Sugar
I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Pogue
Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Classy Dancer
ListenBook has become my trusted companion, making even the busiest days enjoyable. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
MysticMingle
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! I'm no longer missing out on great stories – this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use.
Dez
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks wherever I go. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day! I love how I can create playlists. It’s perfect for organizing my books.
HedgeH0g2
The ability to adjust playback speed is a game-changer for faster or more immersive listening. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful! Apple Watch compatibility adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook enjoyment. It's seamless control at my wrist.
Gro
This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Brick Mooch
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! This app is a blessing for those with busy schedules – it's like time travel through stories. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook library in my pocket. Organized and easily accessible. AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook! ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
BoomerBox
The app's stability is impressive – it runs smoothly without any glitches. The fact that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats without DRM protection is a huge win. This app's user-friendly interface has made audiobook listening a breeze, even for a tech novice like me. 📚 Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks – wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! 👗🎧 🚗 Turning road trips into unforgettable adventures – audiobooks keep me entertained on the journey! 🚗📖
Wiccan Trouble
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. The app is lightweight and doesn’t drain my battery. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. It’s a pleasure to use.
Good-lookin’
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook's intuitive interface and quick controls make it a pleasure to navigate through audiobooks. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience