Laura Hillenbrand
"Unbroken"On November 3, 2012 we met at Castleton Grill to
discuss "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand. Those present were
Kathy W., Betsy, Donna R., Marsha, Nancy, Julie, Nettie
and Janet Ittenbach our new member.
The majority of us had read and finished the book
and all liked it. Laura Hillenbrand has a penchant for
speed as she wrote about Seabiscuit a very fast race horse
who broke all records and the hero of this one was Louie
Zamperini who was an Olympian runner who might have
broken records in the 1940 Olympics had it not been
cancelled due to world war 11. Louie was a bombardier
in the South Pacific who not only drifted for 43 days surviving
shark attacks, Japanese bomber attacks, hunger, dehydration,
and storms. He survived because of his will and his skills
only to be captured by the Japanese and imprisoned in
sub standard camps subjected to the most harrowing tortures
meted out by the Japanese. Yet he remained unbroken till
they were finally liberated in 1945. Louie was a chronicler
and so the tale is very graphic, detailed and had many photos.
World War 11 airplanes were not air worthy and 70% of the
casualties were caused by freak accidents and not enemy fire.
An enlisted man had a 50% chance of dying in that war.
Louie comes home and enters into major depression
and alcoholism and almost loses his family and wife. He is
only redeemed when he turns to God due to the evangelist
Billy Graham. Finally when he is able to forgive his tormentors
and make peace with the events of the war and moves on he then
leads a productive life as a mentor and speaker for young
people. Louis has the gift of gab for sure and as he tells Hillenbrand
she would have more to write about because unlike Seabiscuit
he has the ability to speak and loves to speak.
Louie still lives and active life at age 93. His story is
inspiring and though it is not a "chick" book was inspiring to
all us women. My nephew who is 10 years old read this book
and discussed it with me. Betsy's brother who is not a reader
loved it. My son gave it to his uncle who is ill while he was
hospitalized to help him cope with his hardships.
Definitely a good read. Thanks, Nancy for the
recommendation.
I chose a book recommended by Christy Tidwell that I
really enjoyed called "Wingshooters" by Nina Revoyr
about a half Japanese girl growing up in rural Wisconnsin
during the 70's. A vote was taken for the next
meeting to be held on December 14, Wednesday.
Reminders will be sent out and a venue announced.
Happy reading.
