Everybody Reads Blog

Ismael's memoirs in "a long way gone" is one of the most disturbing and profoundly moving books I've ever read. I has given me both a horror of the plight of the children who become child soldiers and the things they find themselves doing and witnessing, both before and during the time they are soldiers.

My heart bleeds for these desperate, terribly traumatized (for life?) children. My heart bleeds for the victims of horrifying wars. The crimes that were carried out are completely beyond my worst imaginings of the degree of inhumanity of one human being toward another. The ability of one to become numb or relieved of former pain in carrying out these acts I now understand.

That these things happen on this earth completely discourages me from expecting there to ever to be peace on earth. The extreme degree of torture and inhumane treatment is so out of my range of even fantasy. Ismael's crystal clear explanation of the emotional processes which move people, even children, to this level of violence has helped me to understand it.

I am incredibly thankful for the courage of the people of UNICEF for the danger to which they exposed themselves and the wonderful healing they facilitated for so many of these boys. Where would Ismael be today without the incredible sensitivity of Esther?

Ismael, I doubt you will ever read this, but I consider you to be one of the greatest heros I have ever heard of, to be able to drag yourself out of this nightmare and to go on to make every effort afforded you to share in the effort to educate the world about what did and continues to happen today. That understanding gives us a chance to make a difference.

I will pass this book on to anyone I believe will read it with an open and compassionate mind. It is one of the most important books I have ever read. Everyone on this earth needs to understand everything written in these memoirs in "a long way gone".

Posted by Beverley Davis on January 17, 2008 at 01:07 AM PST #

Larry: what "Observer" does your comment refer to?

Posted by Gail on January 22, 2008 at 05:59 PM PST #

A week or two ago I posted a comment contending that the truth of these events mattered.Those remarks remained posted for several days. Why are they now gone? Another post is gone, too. It also reflected a sense of caution in light of the news concerning this book's mis-representations.

The deletion of germane and civil posts is counter to the spirit of a blog which is to attract discussion and comment. However, the deletions are borne of the same urge as that of trying to pass compassionate fiction as factual truth.

Posted by Larry on February 02, 2008 at 09:32 PM PST #

Thank you for having got back to me. You are right and I became confused between blogs. Thank you for your reply.

Posted by larry on February 06, 2008 at 03:53 PM PST #