Louis Zamperini before a race
(suggested reading of book: 12+)
Laura Hillenbrand’s masterpiece revolves around Olympic runner Louis Zamperini, who overcameall odds and survived WWII. Louis grew up as a juvenile delinquent in Torrance, California, engaging in various criminal activities. Bullied for his Italian background, Louis eventually found his own on his high school track team. His record-breaking speed and talent eventually won him a place on the national team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Unfortunately, his running career was brought to an abrupt halt by the onset of WWII, which led to his signing on as a bombardier in the Air Force. Captured by the Japanese, Louis struggled for years as a prisoner of war under abhorrent conditions in direct violation of the Geneva Convention. Following the end of the war in 1945, Louis returned to the United States, unable to reconcile himself with his home due to the traumas he faced in Japan. The epilogue chapters of the book follow Louis’ path to putting his past behind him, and closes with his forgiveness of those that tormented him. Above all else, Unbroken is a testament to the psychological endurance of a man that refused to be broken, no matter what, and it exemplifies the resilience that has become a necessity of the modern day.
Discussion
- Would you be interested in reading this book? Why?
- What do you think might have helped Louis forget about the war?
