child soldier Emily (book)

http://www.amazon.com/Innocents-Lost-When-Child-Soldiers/dp/0465007988

Books are very useful media which contributes to our understanding and further education. Through the written language, books oftentimes cause people to become emotional and inspired at the same time. In other words, one of the advantages of books is that readers are able to encounter various emotions through the gripping stories and develop their sensitivity as well. Also, books are good sources for us to educate ourselves in many areas. This particular book I have chosen to discuss about meets both aspects as well. The author of the book ‘Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go To War (Hardcover)’ examines and analyzes the conflicts caused by the practice of using children as soldiers. Jimmie Briggs, the author of the book, attempts to discuss the problem of child soldiers and deepen our knowledge and understanding of this phenomenon through many personal stories of the children who were engaged in these issues.

Through the gruesome incidents of the child soldiers, the author was successful in having the readers to really experience what it is like to be a child soldier. The author mainly focuses on the conflicts in Columbia and how the economics and power have caused many children to be the victims of violence. By mentioning many different areas around the world where people recruit children, I was really convinced by the fact that the child soldiers are being used worldwide. One of the biggest strengths of this book I found is that the author does not directly inform the casualties and the hardships of the child soldiers. Instead, through the strong voice and colorful stories, Briggs exposes the seriousness of this problem and lets the readers to observe and evaluate. In addition, because the short stories of the different child soldiers are very detailed and well researched, the book gives no doubts about the stories and is able to successfully communicate with the readers. As I was reading some of the key paragraphs, I was so attached to the stories that the writings were all reasonable and true.

By using enchanting verbal language, the author was successful in giving out its message through this book. Even though Jimmie Briggs is a writer and a journalist, his delicate research of the formal child soldiers and his interpretation of their stories give the authority to speak and express the heartbreaking stories. Furthermore, the author goes beyond his perspective as a journalist but also looks at the child soldier issue globally including girls as well. Therefore, regarding that there are some personal reflections in this book, this book is somewhat considered more towards objective. The examination of the journalist’s view point about the world and the people who were engaged deeply in this area child may alert the readers to really acknowledge the problem.

I believe that this book depicts the characteristics of the books very well. To be honest, I was not informed about the life of child soldiers very well. However, as I am finding more and more books about the child soldiers, I believe that I am becoming more and more attached to the issue and starting to acknowledge the problem. This book is able to educate the readers and at the same time bring out people’s emotions. Therefore, the effect of this media form is that it can really revive people’s thoughts and sensitivity through the exquisite writings and descriptions in the book.