Unbroken

Wow, wow, wow, wow. This is an AMAZING book. First I have to thank Rita for recommending it, because I never would have picked it on my own. Unbroken is the true story of Louie Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who survived horrible experiences as a Japanese POW in World War II. I am not generally into books about war and suffering, but Louie is such a wonderful character, and Hillenbrand tells his story with such charm and humor and respect, that I just couldn't put this book down.

Change that: I put the book down several times to marvel at the cruelties perpetrated in the name of war, and to read Mike some of the more alarming statistics and some of the amazing examples of humor and heroism in the face of devastating degradation. This was by no means an easy read, and I found myself tearing up throughout.

I'm guessing they will make a movie of this book, as they did with Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit. But I'm not sure if I'll be able to bring myself to see it. But the book is truly a must read, and will ultimately make you feel good about human nature, though it often doesn't seem that way. Just trust me, it will.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption