Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption / Laura Hillenbrand
RATINGS
Overall: 4 / 5 stars
Text Level: Medium
Entertainment: High
Self-Help: Medium
Genres: Non-Fiction, History, Military History, Biography, WWII
Page Count: 475
Buy on: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Is this book right for me and/or my inmate?
This book would be great for those who struggle to believe that they can get through any obstacle they facing.
Review By: Alpas (Inmate)
An unbelievable true story of a POW (prisoner of war) in WWII who learns to survive in unbearable conditions and come back stronger.
Author Laura Hillenbrand delivers the remarkable story of Louis Zamperini, an American soldier who is shot down, stranded at sea, then brought into a Japanese POW camp. Zamperini, just like us inmates, faces jarring changes. He goes from Olympic athlete to Army airman to a man left for dead to a POW to a broken man trying to regain a foothold in society.
Hillenbrand divides her focus between giving us an understanding of relevant WWII history and telling the story of Zamperini’s life fro start to finish. While this does create a very vivid story,it can make it a bit difficult to find the helpful themes that are sprinkled throughout. Besides the wealth of historical knowledge, unbroken offers to teach us how powerful our perspective and mindset are when it comes to difficult positions. THere is great power in staying present and doing your best with whatever task we face at the moment. One day at a time.
As an inmate, I was able to be motivated by Zamperini’s resilience which eventually led him to a fulfilling life. The tough times can seem endless, but with the help of individual effort, loved ones, and faith, one can make it through anything. Zamperini’s journey, especially after returning home, will be very similar to our release. The adjustment can end up being just as difficult (if not more) as serving the time itself due to PTSD, poor habits, and feeling misunderstood/unheard. However, in the same way, us having patience, faith, and leaning on people that care for us, we can and will get through the sentence and the rehabilitation into society.
If nothing else, this story offers great entertainment for anyone interested in history. Definitely worth picking up off the shelf. Lots of priceless lessons if you keep an open mind. Just don’t get caught up invalidating your own struggles.
Book Quotes:
“Though all three men faced the same hardship, their different perception of it appeared to be shaping their fates”