For my generation, I felt like I was learning an entirely different side of history. When growing up, I felt like my history classes focused greatly on the Nazis during World War II, and not so much the Japanese. We would cover Pearl Harbor, but I couldn't figure out why the Japanese were in the war in the first place. This book explains that horrors that the Japanese inflicted on innocent people. But, Americans are not entirely innocent, considering Hiroshima.
When I first began reading this book, I thought that everyone should read it. I couldn't wait to pass it along to my mom, my granny, Micah, well anyone. The beginning details his running career and training for the Olympic trials. I thought this part of the book was inspiring. Louis Zamperini was rebel and getting into all sorts of trouble until he discovered running. He almost beat the 4 minute mile. Oh, to be that fast, what a dream.
The next part of the book details his career in the Army Air Force in Hawaii. I was shocked to learn the number of causalities from malfunctioning planes. You were taking your life in your own hands when you went up in the air. The planes were poorly built. It was like flying a lead balloon.
Then comes his struggle of being lost at sea in the Pacific ocean. This is a tale of great strength and the will to live. I still feel like everyone should read this book at this point.
The part of the story where he is in the POW camps is harrowing. It is a tale of great misery and cruelty on human life. This was very hard to read. Now, I'm thinking my dad should read it. Granny and mom couldn't handle it.
This is one of those books I wanted to stay up all night researching Louis Zamperini's life. I wanted more. I went to work quizzing people if they had heard of Louis Zamperini's story. He's a remarkable man. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who grew up during that time.
