Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (author of Seabiscuit) was recommended to us by my mom. She ordered a copy for Bob and herself. Unbroken is the true story of Louis Zamperini, Olympic athlete (runner) and World War II hero.
The book starts with an American Air Forces bomber crew (including Louie) stranded on rafts in the ocean being strafed by Japanese bombers. Sharks are circling. That is the prologue.
Cut to Torrance, California, and Louie's growing-up years. Louie was no saint. He had an exceptional amount of energy and it was negatively channeled...until he discovered running.
Bob blew through the book amazed at all Louie had endured and survived. Reading day and night, sharing passages with me as he read, Bob finished the book very quickly. Mom was reading the book at the same time. She kept raving to me about how good the book is.
As soon as Bob finished the book, I picked it up. Granted I am not plowing though it as fast as he did, but I am enjoying the read. I've made it through the Torrance years, his college track successes (record-setting NCAA Championship), the Olympics in Berlin, and am now into World War II where Louie is a lieutenant bomber on a B-24, flying missions over Japanese-occupied Wake, Makin and Nauru.
The writing is excellent. It's one of those books that keeps you riveted while your nose is glued to it. On amazon.com, goodreads.com and barnesandnoble.com the book is rated 4-1/2 stars out of 5.
My recommendation is: make time to read this book! I hope many young people get into this book. They will learn in graphic detail the horror of war. I won't sugar coat it because this is a book about war, about our U.S. history, about world history. Even if you think you won't like it, give it a go.
I know I will never think of World War II the same again. What horror soldiers endured...not just ours, but those in other countries as well.
Time for me to go read more of Unbroken. Good night.
