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Another difficult but powerful historical account of the atrocities of World War II and the power of the human spirit to overcome them. Hillenbrand does a fantastic job of telling this important story that I think it is worth everyone knowing. Again, some of the content is difficult and a bit graphic, but the truth hurts some time and it is worth taking the time and effort to learn about what these brave men in WWII went through to overcome tyranny.
Also, I think delving a bit deeper into WWII is ...more
Also, I think delving a bit deeper into WWII is ...more
About 3.75 stars
This is an incredible true story. It's written like a documentary; I kept imagining I was watching the History channel. The book follows the life of Louis Zamparini, a mischievous, prankster youth who becomes an Olympic runner and then an Air Force lieutenant who survives 47 days adrift in the ocean followed by two years as a POW in Japan. The writing style kept it interesting instead of dry. Much of it describes harsh conditions of nature and war. I was impressed by how Zamparin ...more
This is an incredible true story. It's written like a documentary; I kept imagining I was watching the History channel. The book follows the life of Louis Zamparini, a mischievous, prankster youth who becomes an Olympic runner and then an Air Force lieutenant who survives 47 days adrift in the ocean followed by two years as a POW in Japan. The writing style kept it interesting instead of dry. Much of it describes harsh conditions of nature and war. I was impressed by how Zamparin ...more
Amazingly written, but just too overwhelming to continue to read. I don't shy away from difficult topics, but the sense of being set up to fail because of untested new machines, no established search & rescue protocol, ridiculous flying and landing conditions - etc, etc, etc - was tough to continue to pick up as the sense of doom became a tragedy, and then became a terrifying daily existence. I'm a huge fan of Ms. Hillenbrand, and this is truly the story of an American hero whose commitment to t
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This was an amazing and heartbreaking book. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is I would have liked to have heard more about Louie's life after the war. This was the first time I read an account of a POW in Japan. It's horrifying what war does to people. No one really does win and the scars are left forever on all sides.
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An Olympic runner from the 1936 Olympics becomes a bombadier in WWII. His plane is shot down and he and two of his mates are adrift for over 40 days. They are picked up by a Japanese ship and is put into a POPW camp were he is physically and mentally brutilized. The story of Louis Zamparini is a real life tale of horrible experiences but also the story that the human spirit can come back from most anything.
Jun 24, 2012
Jeannie
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Avid Reader and Geek Girl
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Alistaire Ira Jones (Taylor's Version)
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