Review of Unbroken
Every once in awhile, even an admitted bibliophile will read a book that makes you pause and say, "Wow." Such a book you read gently, maybe only allowing yourself a few pages at a time so you will not finish it too quickly. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is just such a book.
If you've read, or seen, Seabiscuit you are familiar with her writing. Until you have read Unbroken, you will not understand the power of her writing.
Life's foibles will not seem to matter after you have read this incredible journey.
As always--feel free to leave comments.
-Steve
Unbroken: A World War II Story of
Survival, Resilience, and Redemption [Hardcover]
If you've read, or seen, Seabiscuit you are familiar with her writing. Until you have read Unbroken, you will not understand the power of her writing.
Life's foibles will not seem to matter after you have read this incredible journey.
As always--feel free to leave comments.
-Steve
Available at Amazon.com |
by Laura Hillenbrand
496 pages, $27.00
ISBN-13: 978-1400064168
Nonfiction
Review by Steven
King, MBA, MEd
In 1936, Adolf Hitler
had hoped that the Berlin Olympic Games would prove German superiority to the
spectators of the world. Little did he know that track legend Jesse Owens, an
African American superstar, would break eleven world records at that very
game. Another lesser known Olympian
caught Hitler’s attention that day, as well.
Louis Zamperini, an unknown American runner, completed the last lap of
the 5000 meter race in a mere 56 seconds.
Upon meeting Zamperini Hitler remarked, “ Ah, you’re the boy with the
fast finish.” Such words would prove to be prophetic – Zamperini indeed has had
a fast finish but survived inordinate atrocities to get there. Laura
Hillenbrand, made famous by her book Seabiscuit,
has marvelously captured his journey in Unbroken.
A passion for running
had dampened the dereliction of youth, so much so that many felt Zamperini
would be the first to break the elusive four-minute mile barrier. Subsequent to the Berlin games, life took
Louis to the University of Southern California, where he earned the moniker
“Torrance Tornado” as he broke many national records. Although an accomplished collegiate runner, a
decision to join the U.S. Air Corps during World War II would alter his life
forever.
The military was a good
match for Zamperini—who found himself manning the bombardier section of a B-24
Liberator aircraft. During a low level search mission, his plane crashed and he
faced the ardor of life adrift the Pacific for 47 days. Like a stanza taken
from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", he
and his pilot endured little to eat or drink. Inevitably, an albatross lit on
their craft and was killed to bring needed nourishment. According to an old sailors’ tale, killing an
Albatross disrespected the souls of those lost at sea and was certain to bring
bad luck. Zamperini had no idea…
After being fished from
the waters by the Japanese in Marshall Islands, Zamperini began a two year trek
where he suffered and was tortured by the Japanese in their POW camps. Unbroken
captures his resolve and resiliency, the fodder that spurs men toward survival.
Even the intemperance of a guard whose life mission was to break Zamperini
fails…Zamperini emerges hurt but unbroken.
Returning to the
states, Zamperini has a difficult adjustment to life. Nothing will eradicate
his nightmares of his tormentors, until Fate places his life on the
upswing. If you are in the mood for an
excellent book, Unbroken is for you. It
is well written, provocative, and moving – you will want to read it slowly to
savor every word.
Louis Zamperini proves the lines of Chilean poet and politician, Pablo
Neruda in “Ode to Broken Things”:
Life goes on grinding up
glass, wearing out clothes
making fragments
breaking down
forms
and what lasts through time
is like an island on a ship in the sea,
perishable
surrounded by dangerous fragility
by merciless waters and threats.
glass, wearing out clothes
making fragments
breaking down
forms
and what lasts through time
is like an island on a ship in the sea,
perishable
surrounded by dangerous fragility
by merciless waters and threats.
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