Title: Unbroken
Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Genre: Biography, Non-Fiction
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 475
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

I didn’t know very much about UNBROKEN before I started reading it. It was very well-written and seemed well researched. I do wish Hillenbrand had written the story from Louie’s perspective rather than an overall view of everything. Despite that, it was captivating and inspiring to read.

Louis Zamperini had an interesting life. I enjoyed reading about his resilience and will to live. He was so strong! I know if I were in any of the situations he was during World War II, I would’ve hoped for a swift death. I enjoyed reading about his thieving acts in his younger years and how it actually helped him in the POW camps. I especially enjoyed reading about how he had stolen Hitler’s flag while he was at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. I also enjoyed reading about those Japanese soldiers and civilians that were kind to the POWs.

To be honest, I was dreading reading about all the horrific things he went through at the hands of the Japanese soldiers while he was a POW. As I read his story, I couldn’t believe what he and other Pacific POWs were subjected to. It’s amazing anyone survived. My least favorite part was the part when Gaga, the duck who befriended the POWs in Omori, was tortured and beaten to death by The Bird (meanest of the Japanese soldiers). It severely depressed me. I was angry at the injustice that The Bird only got 4 years in prison for everything he did.

I’m so glad to hear that Louie was able to overcome his demons and find peace in Christ. Not many people can do that. His life definitely shows that it’s possible to do, and I’m glad he was able to live a happy, fulfilling life after the war once he found Christ.