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.
Rusty Vortex
This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Jade Fox
I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is β it's like being inside the story. ππ Exploring stories even with my eyes off the page β this app is a bedtime dream! π΄π§ Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has never been easier or more convenient. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Lady In Red
My commutes to work have transformed into exciting journeys thanks to this app. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ A masterclass in audiobook narration! The performer maintained perfect consistency in character voices throughout while keeping the main narration clear and engaging. The production was flawless - no weird edits or background noise. I'll be seeking out more works by this narrator.
ThoughtTracer
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations β they're spot on.
DreamWeaver
I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily routines and activities. ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a thoughtful touch I appreciate. I'm hooked on this app's ability to transform my ordinary moments into exciting opportunities for learning. Effortless and enriching β that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its functionality, from seamless downloads to binaural audio processing, has truly raised the bar. π±π Listening stats keep me motivated to read more. Great addition!
AlertXis
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature! The app is perfect for people with busy schedules. I can listen on the go.
Proper
ListenBook's versatile player features are like having a personal audio assistant β it's that good! This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions. ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration. ListenBookβs interface is clean and intuitive. Itβs a joy to use. Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Redneck Giorgio
Unwinding with a good audiobook has become my favorite self-care ritual. The download options are versatile, making it a breeze to get my favorite audiobooks on the go.
2nd Hand Joe
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. Beautiful layout and easy access to chapters. Really impressed with ListenBook. The app is very user-friendly. ListenBook makes listening to audiobooks a breeze.
BuzzMouse
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Corny
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Overrun
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FireBrang
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Drugstore Cowboy
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Granola Dove
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks β this app has converted me! Say goodbye to cumbersome interfaces β this app's intuitive controls and user-friendly design have elevated my audiobook experience to new heights. π±π Looping playback has made memorization so much easier. I'm acing my exams! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content.
Vermilion
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a seamless addition to my daily routine. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a bonding experience made easy through AirDrop and sharing options.
Pixie Taze
ListenBook's dedication to delivering an exceptional experience is evident in every detail. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. ListenBook's customizable audio filters add a new dimension to my audiobook enjoyment. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to bond over stories. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
Bom Crossed
π Bedtime stories for adults? Yes, please! This app is a dream come true. ππ Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Uncle Psycho
I'm no longer missing out on great stories β this app fits perfectly into my lifestyle. The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playbackβit's all up to me!
Baby Brown
This app is a lifesaver! I can now enjoy my favorite books on the go. Enhancing my daily routines β this app's design makes listening a joy. Tone adjustment is a brilliant addition that lets me personalize the narration to my liking. It adds an extra layer of connection to the audiobooks. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. The ability to organize my library is a huge plus. Everything is so neat and tidy.
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