What do you think?
Rate this book
Heroes of History #24
Louis Zamperini: Redemption
"When the canteen water supply ran dry again, Louie began to doubt they'd survive. He thought back to when he first arrived in Hawaii and Eddie Rickenbacker and his crew had just been rescued from a record of twenty-one days drifting on rafts much like the one Louie was in. Louie was sure that twenty-one days on a life raft represented the outer limits of human survival."
As an Olympic runner, a bombardier in the Army Air Corps, and a prisoner of war, Louis Zamperini was determined to thrive and survive. Never backing down from a challenge, he lived a life of adventure while modeling hope and forgiveness to a generation.
A magnet for trouble as a boy, Louie determined to create a new path for himself. Nicknamed the "Torrance Tornado," he set national records and traveled to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. His resolve as a runner was matched by his will to survive a plane crash, weeks adrift at sea, and years in a prison camp. This American hero encouraged countless others to have faith and to persevere through trials, revealing that no life is beyond redemption.
As an Olympic runner, a bombardier in the Army Air Corps, and a prisoner of war, Louis Zamperini was determined to thrive and survive. Never backing down from a challenge, he lived a life of adventure while modeling hope and forgiveness to a generation.
A magnet for trouble as a boy, Louie determined to create a new path for himself. Nicknamed the "Torrance Tornado," he set national records and traveled to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. His resolve as a runner was matched by his will to survive a plane crash, weeks adrift at sea, and years in a prison camp. This American hero encouraged countless others to have faith and to persevere through trials, revealing that no life is beyond redemption.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2014
12 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Janet Benge
175 books307 followersJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 30, 2025
A WWII hero, he overcame his PTSD with the help of his wife by turning his life over to God. He accepted public speaking opportunities and even returned to Japan. During the war, his plane was shot down and he was captured. As a POW, he was cruelly tortured. During his return, he met many of the men who tortured him and forgave them. His story was made into a movie called Unbroken and a follow-up Unbroken: Path to Redemption.
May 14, 2020
I read through this with my kids, and they loved it. They begged for more each time. Louis’ story is astounding, no matter how many times I read it. This version keeps the narrative and dialogue rolling so that the kids don’t lose interest.
July 9, 2024
I first heard about Louis Zamperini in the book
War and Grace: Short Biographies from the World Wars
by Don Stephens, and I was fascinated. So when I came across this biography at a homeschool conference, I snatched it up. (I'm not brave enough to read Unbroken yet . . .)
I am AMAZED at the obvious work of God in this man's life. I don't want to give spoilers for those who don't know the story, but it was incredible. Everything he went through during the war . . . honestly I'm surprised anyone survived those prison camps (and the content was toned down for a younger audience, so I'm sure in reality it was MUCH worse). And then after the war - that's when things REALLY get good, and it was beautiful to see! 😇 We serve an awesome God!!
The book is aimed at younger kids, so the writing style is fairly straightforward and simple, but I don't mind that. There are two instances of minor language , which I found disappointing in a Christian book.
But highly recommended!
I am AMAZED at the obvious work of God in this man's life. I don't want to give spoilers for those who don't know the story, but it was incredible. Everything he went through during the war . . . honestly I'm surprised anyone survived those prison camps (and the content was toned down for a younger audience, so I'm sure in reality it was MUCH worse). And then after the war - that's when things REALLY get good, and it was beautiful to see! 😇 We serve an awesome God!!
The book is aimed at younger kids, so the writing style is fairly straightforward and simple, but I don't mind that. There are two instances of minor language , which I found disappointing in a Christian book.
But highly recommended!
December 24, 2023
Una historia de éxito terrenal, devastada por la guerra y redimida por Dios para Su gloria.
August 24, 2015
Fabulous book for both children and adults!
While this is written for a 12-14 year old reading audience, it is great for a read-aloud for younger ears or for an older reader. I appreciate how it shared his life honestly, but was not too graphic for sensitive ears. However, I encourage parents to preview if they have any reservations since it does explain some of the hardships he faced through his imprisonment. It is easy to read and takes roughly 4-6 hours to do so.
While this is written for a 12-14 year old reading audience, it is great for a read-aloud for younger ears or for an older reader. I appreciate how it shared his life honestly, but was not too graphic for sensitive ears. However, I encourage parents to preview if they have any reservations since it does explain some of the hardships he faced through his imprisonment. It is easy to read and takes roughly 4-6 hours to do so.
Read
November 16, 2022My kids (especially my older boys) LOVED this--if you're looking for a kid appropriate introduction to Louis I highly recommend this.
May 29, 2024
Louis Zamperini’s story might be the most mind-blowing and redemptive I’ve ever read. Obviously Unbroken is incredible and the ultimate dive into his life (every adult should read it!) but for a shorter, less graphic version, this is excellent. It is still extremely heavy and difficult in spots, but carefully told. Highly recommend for youth.
August 18, 2025
I had read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand about Louis Z. This book is an excellent and shorter version of the story. I'd forgotten what a "hellion" he was in junior high and high school. His brother was such a support to him.
The author did not downplay how badly he was treated in prison or how hard it was to forgive his captors when he visited Japan.
The author did not downplay how badly he was treated in prison or how hard it was to forgive his captors when he visited Japan.
August 14, 2025
What a story! Louis Zamperini surely endured years of cruelty and suffering, it was one bad experience after another. I ached that any human being had to go through that but I loved reading his testimony of how in the end, God did not waste what he had to endure. A very powerful story!
November 17, 2020
We read this as a family and loved it. So well done.
September 29, 2022
Amo este libro con todo mi ser, agradecida por siempre con mi profesora de literatura por obligarme a leerlo
April 6, 2023
Great story of survival & forgiveness
November 22, 2023
Amazing story!
April 10, 2024
Whew, what a story! Louis Zamperini’s story was very well documented in this book! I really enjoyed it.
May 15, 2024
Another great story in this wonderful series. Listening to what he went through as a POW wad heartbreaking and then hearing his ability to forgive afterwards was incredible. Only God.
June 26, 2024
Such a captivating story.
December 18, 2024
Superb book and an amazing story of determination, unimaginable cruelty and the power of the gospel to completely change a person’s life. Listened on audio.
February 3, 2025
Enjoyed this audio book about the life of Louis Zamperini. Great athlete, soldier and most importantly Christian.
March 15, 2025
The kids are sick of hearing "Louis would have loved this dinner when he was on the raft..." lol. But what a riveting and inspiring story!
March 3, 2015
If people were critical of Angelina Jolie's Unbroken as diluted then they will not like this. The ghost writing team extraordinaire's of Janet and Bruce Benge have YA'd Hillenbrand’s biography of Louis Zamperini's extraordinary life.
Not really my genre and dare I call it a 'boy book' I still found it a gripping and thrilling read. Definitely pick it up if you can't slog through the Biography that inspired the film.
Not really my genre and dare I call it a 'boy book' I still found it a gripping and thrilling read. Definitely pick it up if you can't slog through the Biography that inspired the film.
April 11, 2015
Really good book!
I really enjoyed this book, I read it in 2 days! While Louis did not do as much "foreign missions" as most of the other books I've read, he mostly stayed in the states. When he opened his mouth to speak, lives were changed. ( both in the States, and Japan) Definitely a good book for anyone 10 or older!
I really enjoyed this book, I read it in 2 days! While Louis did not do as much "foreign missions" as most of the other books I've read, he mostly stayed in the states. When he opened his mouth to speak, lives were changed. ( both in the States, and Japan) Definitely a good book for anyone 10 or older!
April 16, 2023
How many books are there about Louis Zamperini? I intend to find out!
This one omitted a lot of details and facts that I think were important- probably to keep it shorter and make it more YA friendly. Still an inspirational tale, and as this one was published more recently, it tells the story to the incredibly moving end so yes I cried
This one omitted a lot of details and facts that I think were important- probably to keep it shorter and make it more YA friendly. Still an inspirational tale, and as this one was published more recently, it tells the story to the incredibly moving end so yes I cried
January 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! I had never heard of Loui Zamperini before reading this book, and I found it such a incredible story! It was very interesting and a really amazing true story of one man’s survival in WWll and finding faith in God.❤️
February 4, 2015
We listened to the audio version. My older children were hooked!
June 14, 2015
Gripping content, but not especially well written. It was intriguing learning about Zamperini's long life of triumphs and challenges.
February 16, 2016
My kids didn't want me to stop reading this book when we sat down to read it. It kept them engaged and interested and it had a really great message...
June 2, 2017
Inspirational. Would recommend without reservations!
January 3, 2018
An incredible true story that could have been told better
February 7, 2019
great and powerful story. I would read it again.
February 7, 2023
It was an outstanding read I could read it again
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews