Resilience—what separates “the good” from “the greats.” Resilience is not only necessary to be the best athlete, student, or worker, but it is also necessary for survival. Olympic runner, Louie Zamperini, was made of pure resilience. Laura Hillenbrand’s exhilarating and eye opening novel, Unbroken, demonstrates a man’s story of survival before, during, and after World War II.
Louie Zamperini came from a loving California family, but from an early age he was a mischievous and rough boy. During his teen years, Zamperini stole belongings, started fights, train hopped, and invoked fear into all other children. However, Zamperini decided to change his life around the day his older brother, Pete, discovered his talent for running. Pete channeled his younger brother’s teenage passion for rebellion and defiance into a passion for running. With Pete as his best friend, motivator, and trainer, Louie Zamperini shattered records and became known across the country for his remarkable speed. On July 12, 1936 Zamperini accomplished his dream and qualified for the Berlin Olympics. Although he continued to make headlines, the descriptions changed. Louie Zamperini was no longer known for just his speed but for also his service to his country. He was enlisted into the United States Army Air Force as a lieutenant and waited for the day his country would be brought into World War II.
On December 7th, 1941 the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The United States declared war on Japan and became an active participant in World War II. Soon after that declaration, Zamperini was commissioned to fly in aircrafts and drop bombs. Throughout his airmen days, his resilience was tested. Zamperini had no other option than to say goodbye to family and friends. He was continually forced to watch fellow airmen never make it back to base, face starvation, and look death in the eye countless times. In May of 1943, Zamperini had begun to experience the war in full force. His aircraft, The Green Hornet, went down over the Pacific and he was pronounced dead; however, Zamperini survived but was barely hanging on. After days of floating in the Pacific with minimal resources, he realized his life depended on the power of his will.
I strongly recommend Unbroken because it is a fast paced and intense novel that captivates one’s attention. The reader will become invested in Louie Zamperini’s life and emotionally attached to all aspects of the war. The settings instill the reader with gratitude for the men and women who fought for and continue to fight for the United States. The book also enlightens the reader about the true hardships soldiers faced and harshness of the war. Laura Hillenbrand allows her readers to feel as if they are experiencing what Zamperini experienced. Louie Zamperini’s life, as told in Unbroken, evokes patriotism, hope, pride and awe into the reader. Hillenbrand’s audience cannot help but become engrossed in this war story about survival, determination, and will to live.
Louie Zamperini came from a loving California family, but from an early age he was a mischievous and rough boy. During his teen years, Zamperini stole belongings, started fights, train hopped, and invoked fear into all other children. However, Zamperini decided to change his life around the day his older brother, Pete, discovered his talent for running. Pete channeled his younger brother’s teenage passion for rebellion and defiance into a passion for running. With Pete as his best friend, motivator, and trainer, Louie Zamperini shattered records and became known across the country for his remarkable speed. On July 12, 1936 Zamperini accomplished his dream and qualified for the Berlin Olympics. Although he continued to make headlines, the descriptions changed. Louie Zamperini was no longer known for just his speed but for also his service to his country. He was enlisted into the United States Army Air Force as a lieutenant and waited for the day his country would be brought into World War II.
On December 7th, 1941 the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The United States declared war on Japan and became an active participant in World War II. Soon after that declaration, Zamperini was commissioned to fly in aircrafts and drop bombs. Throughout his airmen days, his resilience was tested. Zamperini had no other option than to say goodbye to family and friends. He was continually forced to watch fellow airmen never make it back to base, face starvation, and look death in the eye countless times. In May of 1943, Zamperini had begun to experience the war in full force. His aircraft, The Green Hornet, went down over the Pacific and he was pronounced dead; however, Zamperini survived but was barely hanging on. After days of floating in the Pacific with minimal resources, he realized his life depended on the power of his will.
I strongly recommend Unbroken because it is a fast paced and intense novel that captivates one’s attention. The reader will become invested in Louie Zamperini’s life and emotionally attached to all aspects of the war. The settings instill the reader with gratitude for the men and women who fought for and continue to fight for the United States. The book also enlightens the reader about the true hardships soldiers faced and harshness of the war. Laura Hillenbrand allows her readers to feel as if they are experiencing what Zamperini experienced. Louie Zamperini’s life, as told in Unbroken, evokes patriotism, hope, pride and awe into the reader. Hillenbrand’s audience cannot help but become engrossed in this war story about survival, determination, and will to live.