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

Hillenbrand, Laura. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. 2010. 473p. 836 mins. Available as an audiobook on Overdrive.

A child of Italian immigrants, Louis Zamperini was a troubled youth. Always breaking the law and causing trouble, he would steal pies, hop trains, and try to avoid the law. His older brother Pete tried to keep him on the straight and narrow, but even he could be taken in by Louis’ antics. As they grew up in the 1920s, Pete spent time on the school’s track and field team, while Louis pursued girls. Pete suddenly realized that Louis could run faster than most people on the team. He helped his brother redirect his energies into running, and soon Louis began eclipsing marks. First it was the high school’s fastest run. Then the county. Then the state. Sent to New York to participate in the U.S. Olympics tryout, he finished third, earning a spot to the Berlin games in 1936, where he met Hitler. There were high hopes that he would be the first person to break the 4 minute mile mark.

With the Second World War looming, Louis joined the air force but immediately realized he didn’t enjoy flying. Called back to service, Louis trained to be a bombardier, the man who aims the bombs dropped by a bomber, and ended up posted in the Pacific. During a mission, his plane ran out of fuel and crash landed in the water, killing all but three of the crewmembers. Louis survived in a raft with the other two, surrounded by sharks. Although many planes flew above, none of them spotted them. Louis and Russell survived their ordeal while their third companion perished on the raft, and the men drifted for 42 days before being captured by the Japanese.

Transferred to prison camps, Louis was brutally abused by the Bird, a sadistic Japanese guard. Surviving in camps for two years, the war ended with Japan’s surrender and Louis was freed. Reunited with his family that had thought him dead, Louis attempted to resume running, but was unable to do so due to his injuries. Confronted by old demons from his years in captivity in Japan, it wasn’t until he heard Billy Graham speak at one of his crusades, and he became deeply religious.

Louis’ perseverance and determination helped him surmount obstacles and triumph over his abusers. He became a motivational speaker and even ran the Olympic Torch during the 1998 Nagano, passing by the location of his old camp. An inspiration to all, Louis’ story of survival and dedication is well worth listening to.

Fans of Unbroken should look up The Boys of the Boat, the story of Joe Rantz and the US rowing crew of 1936. A similar man to Louis, Joe's exploits will inspire the reader to reach beyond what is thought possible.