<P> A Long Way Gone : Memoirs of a Boy Soldier ( 2007 ) is a memoir written by Ishmael Beah , an author from Sierra Leone . The book is a firsthand account of Beah 's time as a child soldier during the civil war in Sierra Leone ( 1990s ) . Beah ran away from his village at the age of 12 after it was attacked by rebels , and he became forever separated from his immediate family . He wandered the war - filled country and was forced to join an army unit who brainwashed him into using guns and drugs . By 13 , he had perpetuated and witnessed a great deal of violence . At the age of 16 , however , UNICEF removed him from the unit and put him into a rehabilitation program . There he was able to find his uncle that would adopt him . With the help of some of the staff he was able to return to a civilian life and get off drugs . He was then given an opportunity to teach others about child soldiers . He traveled the United States recounting his story . </P>
<P> A Long Way Gone : Memoirs of a Boy Soldier ( 2007 ) is a memoir written by Ishmael Beah , an author from Sierra Leone . The book is a firsthand account of Beah 's time as a child soldier during the civil war in Sierra Leone ( 1990s ) . Beah ran away from his village at the age of 12 after it was attacked by rebels , and he became forever separated from his immediate family . He wandered the war - filled country and was forced to join an army unit who brainwashed him into using guns and drugs . By 13 , he had perpetuated and witnessed a great deal of violence . At the age of 16 , however , UNICEF removed him from the unit and put him into a rehabilitation program . There he was able to find his uncle that would adopt him . With the help of some of the staff he was able to return to a civilian life and get off drugs . He was then given an opportunity to teach others about child soldiers . He traveled the United States recounting his story . </P>
when does a long way gone take place
when does a long way gone take place
1990s
1990s