This week I decided to jump into the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. I have been wanting to read it for some time but waited until I could give it my full attention. I had heard it was no "beach read."
If you haven't heard of Unbroken, it is the life story of Louis Zamperini. An Olympic runner turned WWII soldier.
Here is a brief summary-
In late May 1943, the B-24 plane carrying the 26-year-old Zamperini went down over the Pacific. For 49 days Zamperini and his pilot managed to survive on a 2 man raft. No food or water, sharks jumping at them every day, daytime blistering heat and cold temps at night. They were carried 2,000 miles across the ocean into enemy territory. They were caught and held in a series of Japanese prison camps. For the next two years Zamperini underwent a whole host of unthinkable tortures. He survived but in his post-war life he came unravelled. At the breaking point he was pulled from the depths. It is an amazing story of redemption.
This book goes into great detail about the life of this brave soldier. It is shocking and upsetting and revolting and eye opening and amazing. This story gives you a peek into what soldiers, including my grandfather, had to go through during WWII.
There are not enough words to describe my thankfulness for the brave men and women who fight for our safety and security.
You must read this book.
2 comments:
That was an excellent book. I had not realized that Japan was so harsh. It gave me a whole new respect for my grandfather. You should go see the movie Red Tails while you are in that mindset.
Do you have a copy I can borrow? I checked it out from the library but couldn't finish it before it was due back. I'd like to finish it...in my free time :)
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