2014 Book Goal: 52 (mostly non-fiction)
2014 Books Read: 68 (91% non-fiction)

Wow. I have a new all-time favorite book. Long time readers will know it takes a lot to make me like a book much less love it.  I love Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.

I have only cried reading one book in my life – Old Yeller.  That is until this one.

I admit the movie preview is what prompted me to read it, but I am sure the movie will fall woefully short.  Don’t get me wrong, I expect I will love the movie as well… it just won’t compare to the book.  In reading this book and trying to imagine it as a movie, there is no way to convey all it contains in two, three or even four hours on film.

louis3

Louis Zamperini

The book is clearly written in three segments – Louis Zamperini’s growth from troublemaking teen to his race (literally) to become and Olympic runner – his being stranded at sea after his bomber crashes – and finally his struggle as a prisoner of war.  If any book should be made into a trilogy, this is it.

I could see this as a television mini-series or even a five or six season full-fledged series.  There is that much here to keep you entertained.  I pray the movie lives up to this amazing story.

I won’t spoil the story any more than I have in giving away what the movie previews reveal, but there are times as the war was coming to an end that I got not only weepy and misty eyed, but let out audible sighs as Hillenbrand tells the story.

Own this book for your belief in doing the impossible.  Own this book to convince yourself we are stronger than we think. Own this book for your faith in humanity. Own this book.

by Chris Doelle