Unbroken (7/10)

Unbroken
Laura Hillenbrand

          I had to take a picture of the book cover from the internet since I returned the book back to the library before writing this review. Any who, lets get started.

           Unbroken is a true story that takes place during World War 2 and is written by Laura Hillenbrand, the author of Seabiscuit, ( I have personally not read Seabiscuit but it is mentioned in big letters on the cover so I assume it is a popular read.) tells the true story of Louis Zamperini, an air bombardier in World War 2 whose plane crashed over the Pacific ocean while on a rescue mission. From there he goes on a 3-4 year odyssey to try to get back to his home and his family.


                  *This part of the review has some minor spoilers, so if you absolutely want to have no idea what happens in the book, you might want to skip this next paragraph*

          Louis goes through hell and back to try to get back to his family, and some of it is hard to take it. Whenever we learn about WWII in school, they always focus on the horrors of the holocaust and how horrible america was to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. I used to think that the bomb was a dumb and stupid way to end the war, but after reading this book it honestly seems like it was the only way. Nobody ever talks about the horrors of Japanese POW camps and how they didn't comply with the Geneva Convention or the rules set in place by the Red Cross. Louis is beaten daily, starved, and horribly sick. And how he survives years in a hellhole like this seems

like a miracle. I remember reading how an officer violated (yes, its exactly what you're thinking) a cute little duck simply because it brought joy to the POW's. I had to put the book down and stare out the window of my car for a little bit before i could open the book and continue reading. Even after the war ends and Louis is set free, he struggles with PTSD which really takes a toll on him and his loved ones, and it takes awhile before he can truly feel peace.


                This book is powerful and really gives a respect for our soldiers and all they really go through to fight for our country. i could go on about the lack of respect for veterans, but I'll keep this to a review of the book. I'd give this book a 7/10 because while the story is inspiring and heartfelt, the writing could have been better. Hillenbrand tended to jump around in the plot which I found confusing, and she also spent a little too much time describing things in great detail. I've never been a fan of combat books or anything to do with technical things such as the inner workings of an airplane, so I really had to force myself to trudge through this book at times. Overall I would reccommed this book for mature audiences only, because it is slightly graphic and may be hard to read, especially if you are younger. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review and I will be back with another soon. Ciao!