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storyteller49 's review for:
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
by Laura Hillenbrand
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is definitely outside my usual reading comfort zone. I avoid war stories like the plague. I am not a fan of war - any war. Every time I read a war story that belief is only reinforced. It troubles me greatly to read about the physical and mental trauma we put our soldiers through. Yet at the same time, I'm a huge fan of my freedom. I am extremely grateful to the men and women who have bravely served in the military so that I might have that freedom. I just don't like to read about it. So, it was with much trepidation that I picked up Unbroken and began reading. The only reason why I started reading this book is because it was the January read for the book group I am a member of. At least for me, the point of being in a book group is to read things that I might not otherwise have read.
Unbroken follows the life of Louis Zamperini. A spirited child and a teenage delinquent Zamperini learns to channel his extra energy into running. A one time Olympic athlete in the Berlin games, his Olympic training is put on hold as World War II begins. He becomes an airman for the United States Army Air Forces. One fateful day his bomber crashes into the Pacific Ocean. From then on the limits of Zamperini's spirit and will to live are tested.
As I began reading I was initially drawn into the story by the tales of Louis' childhood escapades. As a former teacher and current school librarian I feel that I have met several of the Louis Zamperini's of the world. He's the kid who is quietly taking apart the computer in the corner of the computer lab. She is the one making all of her classmates grin as she replaces all of the crayons in one box with only black crayons pirated from the other boxes. He's the kid who never stops smiling the whole time he is getting in trouble. I've always wondered how that kid turned out. So, I kept reading.
Laura Hillenbrand brings to life both the atrocities and triumphs of war. The story is depressing in parts. (I'm sure the reality was depressing for Zamperini and his fellow servicemen). Yet, throughout it all the reader is cheering for Louis and anxiously turning the pages to see how he will get out of the latest situation he is in. By far the most compelling thing about the story is Louis Zamperini's spirit. He was born with an extra strong will to live which served him faithfully throughout his life.
This book should probably be required reading for all citizens of the human race. The value of the narrative is found both in what can be learned about the consequences of war, as well as, the inspiring story of what people can accomplish in the face of adversity.
Unbroken follows the life of Louis Zamperini. A spirited child and a teenage delinquent Zamperini learns to channel his extra energy into running. A one time Olympic athlete in the Berlin games, his Olympic training is put on hold as World War II begins. He becomes an airman for the United States Army Air Forces. One fateful day his bomber crashes into the Pacific Ocean. From then on the limits of Zamperini's spirit and will to live are tested.
As I began reading I was initially drawn into the story by the tales of Louis' childhood escapades. As a former teacher and current school librarian I feel that I have met several of the Louis Zamperini's of the world. He's the kid who is quietly taking apart the computer in the corner of the computer lab. She is the one making all of her classmates grin as she replaces all of the crayons in one box with only black crayons pirated from the other boxes. He's the kid who never stops smiling the whole time he is getting in trouble. I've always wondered how that kid turned out. So, I kept reading.
Laura Hillenbrand brings to life both the atrocities and triumphs of war. The story is depressing in parts. (I'm sure the reality was depressing for Zamperini and his fellow servicemen). Yet, throughout it all the reader is cheering for Louis and anxiously turning the pages to see how he will get out of the latest situation he is in. By far the most compelling thing about the story is Louis Zamperini's spirit. He was born with an extra strong will to live which served him faithfully throughout his life.
This book should probably be required reading for all citizens of the human race. The value of the narrative is found both in what can be learned about the consequences of war, as well as, the inspiring story of what people can accomplish in the face of adversity.