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.
Moon Peaches
πͺ Doubling the impact of my workouts β exercising and exploring stories, all thanks to this app! πͺπ§ The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. Perfect for both first-time listeners and audiobook veterans! The narrator's warm, inviting tone made this an incredibly comfortable listening experience. I particularly appreciated how well they handled dialogue - each character felt distinct without being cartoonish. The pacing kept me engaged throughout.
Darkside Hooker
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. No more straining my eyes β this app lets me 'read' with my ears! πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is commendable.
True Sweetness
Thanks to ListenBook, I'm now exploring different genres and formats I never thought I would. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of reading through my ears, making every moment more valuable. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing.
Silver Agent
I've found hidden gems in genres I never thought I'd be interested in. With ListenBook, I can listen to my favorite audiobooks and speeches with maximum comfort and convenience. I'm hooked on this app β it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. Audiobooks on this app have expanded my horizons and introduced me to new ideas. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Boost Princess
I can't believe how much more productive I am β I'm learning and growing while multitasking! I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. ListenBook's extensive format support makes it the ultimate audiobook app for any audiobook lover.
Highway
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. With this app, audiobook listening has become a convenient and enjoyable part of my everyday life. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Hoboken Nightingale
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable. I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Hemlock
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. This app is my secret weapon for making the most of my free time. I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. The bookmark feature is fantastic. I can easily pick up where I left off. The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
Emerald Goddess
π Adding a touch of magic to mundane tasks β this app turns errands into epic quests! ππ Configurable auto-rewind is genius. No more confusion when I pause and resume. CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently.
Married Man
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is so intuitive. I didnβt even need to read the instructions.
Pop Bee
This app is a boon for book lovers who are always on the go. Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ I love the cloud integration. I can access my books from anywhere.
Roller Girl
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience β a fantastic feature. Excellent support for various audio formats. Very satisfied.
Contrary Mary
I'm grateful for this app's ability to fit seamlessly into my lifestyle, making learning a part of my day. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go β it's like carrying a library in my pocket. This app's efficient downloading process ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks whenever and wherever. π Making each day a new chapter β this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! ππ Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's design is a true winner.
Red Delicious
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. This app's convenience has transformed my reading habits β it's a game-changer. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a wonderful way to spread the love of literature. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Tangerine
π§ Carrying a world of literature in my headphones β this app's convenience is truly remarkable. ππ« The app is very easy to use. ListenBook makes managing my audiobook library simple.
Natural Gold
This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literature. ListenBook has become my workout companion. It keeps me engaged and entertained during exercise. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine.
21st Street
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. Audiobooks have never been this immersive β this app transports me to different worlds. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. ππ On-the-go listening has never been smoother β this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. ππ Download options are versatile, making it easy to get audiobooks from various sources.
White Snare
This app's seamless integration with CarPlay and other devices has revolutionized my audiobook experience. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers! A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Delirium
I've started reading more books than ever before, all thanks to this app. Audiobooks have turned road trips into unforgettable journeys of imagination. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine.
Sand Whiskers
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. Audiobooks have become my escape from reality β a journey into captivating worlds. Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories β this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. π±π§ The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours. 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!
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