Unbroken

WOW! I just finished this book last night. It was incredible. You may know by now that I love a biography, and this tops any I've read before. I couldn't put it down; when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it.

It tells the true story of Louis Zamperini, who becomes a P.O.W. after being shot down over the Pacific during WWII. You'll hear about his life growing up in California. He started as a kid - and then teen - who seemed bound for trouble. After his brother convinced him to start track, he became an Olympic runner. [The picture below is after a race where his competitors kicked his legs and tread on his feet with their spikes to get him out of the competition.] I won't tell more, but you will not believe his experiences, his resourcefulness, and his resiliency.

Unbroken is a must read for anyone, and it is going on my teenage kids' reading list. It describes WWII in the Pacific against the Japanese [It seems we mostly hear about Nazi Germany and the war in Europe]. But more than that, it explains it from the airman's point of view: his emotions, his fears, his love for his country and his fellow soldiers. Like action and adventure? This is the real thing! You learn through Louie how to maintain dignity while suffering and how to keep faith in a seemingly hopeless situation.

Since I'm recommending it, I will add that it has a little swearing and lots of violence. Still, without hesitation, I consider it clean, uplifting, and worth your time. Read it!