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4.45k reviews for:
Unbroken (Movie Tie-in Edition): A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand, Laura Hillenbrand
4.43 AVERAGE
4.45k reviews for:
Unbroken (Movie Tie-in Edition): A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand, Laura Hillenbrand
4.43 AVERAGE
I read this book for my book club. It is not one that I would typically choose to read. It is a true story about a man who was an Olympic athlete as World War II is beginning. He survives a plane crash and survives for weeks on a raft with two others. He is eventually taken prisoner by the Japanese and is held until the end of the war. The Japanese attitude towards POWs is appalling and it is amazing that any were able to survive. Louis Zamperini survives incredible physical and mental abuse and his story is truly inspiring.
I’ve read the abridged version of this book before, but I wanted to get the entire, unedited story, and it didn’t disappoint. Well-written books about tragedies and hardships share not just individual suffering, but human suffering, and do it in a way that minimizes no ones experiences, and highlights their triumphs. Louis Zamperini is incredibly inspiring, along with the soldiers, POWs, family, and friends that shared his experiences. One of the most powerful themes in this book for me is redemption and forgiveness - Louie didn’t allow his suffering to define him, and I think that’s a very important lesson to learn. I highly recommend reading this book.
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I will never complain about anything again after reading this non-fiction book. This is a story about resiliency x infinity!
This was an incredible tale. I never knew there were so many sharks in the Pacific and that was only a small piece of what wowed me of this story. Zamperini himself said that he wasn't a hero, just a survivor and I have to agree. Although "just a survivor" doesn't do the experience justice. He did become a hero in my eyes when he started the camp for troubled youth because he focussed on helping others. War turns men into beasts. I cannot imagine people doing what they did. Shocking.
What an amazing story of will power and self-preservance and persistance to survive!!
An unbelievable story, beautifully told. A must read! I couldn't put it down.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
I fell in love with Hillenbrand's writing in Seabiscuit, but I found Unbroken to be even more impressive and captivating. This is the true story of Louie Zamperini, a spunky and mischievous boy in California who grows up to be an incredible track star. Louie competes in the 1936 Olympics and was predicted to become the first person to break the 4:00 mile. Then WWII emerges and Louie is called to direct his dedication and determination toward defending his country. When Zamperini's aircraft is shot down over the Pacific, he survives on a raft for 47 days on the ocean, where sharks are the least of his problems. He and his friend are ecstatic when they finally drift to land, only to be captured as POWs and forced to endure months of severe brutality and horrific abuse by the Japanese, who drain everyone ounce of humanity and life out of them. Miraculously, Zamperini perseveres and is at last reunited with his family. He lives through years of internal struggles and mental illness as a result of his war experiences, but comes to discover the power of a higher being as he reflects on these events and lives on to lead a full and meaningful life.
For a nonfiction work, this story reads like a thrilling novel. Hillenbrand clearly conducted detailed and comprehensive research in creating this book. It's a story about resilience, perseverance, and strength. It asks what it means to surrender and be a prisoner. It raises awareness of the shocking brutality that exists in the world, the events that occurred in the Japanese front during WWII, technological advancements regarding warfare, the power of hope, and the aftermath of the trauma of war. Most of all, this story touches on why some people may die, and what it takes to be Unbroken.
For a nonfiction work, this story reads like a thrilling novel. Hillenbrand clearly conducted detailed and comprehensive research in creating this book. It's a story about resilience, perseverance, and strength. It asks what it means to surrender and be a prisoner. It raises awareness of the shocking brutality that exists in the world, the events that occurred in the Japanese front during WWII, technological advancements regarding warfare, the power of hope, and the aftermath of the trauma of war. Most of all, this story touches on why some people may die, and what it takes to be Unbroken.