Author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, leading discussion on Gather.com

Ishmael Beah, author of A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, is leading a discussion of his book on Gather.com

Ishmael's tale is truly remarkable. During the Sierra Leone civil war in the '90s, his family was murdered, and at the age of 13 he was recruited to be a child soldier. The novel describes his loss of innocence, eventual escape from the war-torn region, and reintroduction to society. Ishmael's story is brutally honest, and painfully real. He turned struggle into survival -- eventually becoming a spokesperson for the UN to raise awareness about conflicts like those in his country.

In the Starbucks Book Break group, you'll find a video interview with Ishmael Beah, a detailed synopsis and book excerpts.