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.
Bliss
This app's ease of use has made my downtime more enriching and enjoyable. ListenBook has enriched my life with a world of captivating stories and knowledge. It's not just an app; it's a portal to endless possibilities. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Thumb Candy
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content β it's a real game-changer. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Santa's Little Helper
This app has added a touch of magic to my mundane moments β I'm forever grateful. With this app, audiobook listening has become an integral part of my daily routines β it's a game-changer. Automated extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Dredd
ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. Navigating audiobooks effortlessly β this app's functionality is commendable.
Snow Hound
Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. ListenBook has made my daily walks so much more enjoyable. I'm always learning now! The listening stats feature is awesome. I can track my audiobook habits effortlessly. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature!
Guncap Slingbad
Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight. The intuitive interface and efficient navigation make this app a pleasure to use every day. Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Indestructible Potato
Gone are the days of struggling with formats. Thanks to this app, my audiobook journey is a breeze, and every tale is a tap away. Highly recommended! ππ§ ListenBook's dedication to user convenience is evident in the drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Bad Bunny
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! ListenBook's support for various formats means I can explore a wide range of content without limitations.
Esquire
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
The Belgian
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. Simplifying my audiobook experience β this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook's intuitive layout and quick access to chapters make audiobook navigation a breeze.
Y0dler
This app has reignited my passion for literature β I'm devouring books like never before. ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. Beautiful design and intuitive interface. Very pleased.
New Cycle
ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I always have access to my favorite content. 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 featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
MicroStar
I love the ability to change the font size. It makes reading the titles so easy. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldnβt necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Shimmy Shammy
With ListenBook, I've rediscovered my love for audiobooks. The binaural audio processing is a game-changer for comfortable, fatigue-free listening. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
Thrasher
I've become the go-to storyteller at bedtime with the help of this magical app. I'm hooked on this app's intuitive features β from chapters to playback controls.
Bliss
Audiobooks have become a staple in my routine, all thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. It's a must-have for any book lover. ππ± The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys.
Pepper Prada
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. This app's convenience has made reading a priority in my busy schedule. πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. Audiobook enjoyment has become an integral part of my routine, thanks to this app's seamless integration and user-friendly design. A must-have! ππ±
Mad Jack
The ability to adjust the playback speed has made my commute even more efficient. ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable. I love the car mode. Itβs so convenient for listening while driving.
VisionVortex
Effortlessly managing my audiobook collection β this app's functionality is a winner. ListenBook is my go-to companion for immersive audiobook experiences. The ease of use and extensive format support make it a must-have! Looping playback is an invaluable study tool. It helps me absorb complex information effortlessly. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Hemlock
π‘ Making house chores more enjoyable β audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. π π ListenBook has become an essential part of my routine. It's more than an app β it's a companion.
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