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Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

AmateisGal

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,126
Location
Nebraska
After reading her story, it makes me realize that, as a writer, I have NO EXCUSE not to sit down and get the work done. :)
 

BuzzTheTower

New in Town
Messages
39
Location
Seattle, WA
Louie's story is truly amazing. I ran into his book, re-released in 2002 (written in 1957) in a book store while browsing for WWII aviation stuff. I read a little from it, and had to buy it. I looked for him on Google, and found that he was still alive, with an address and phone number. I called and talked with him for a bit, which was so fun. I found about 300 photographs from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and he was in one of the photos. I sent them to him, and found out about the book being written by Laura. I found her email, and we talked a little bit, and this was back in 2004. She got the photos I found. I'm very lucky to be listed in the Acknowledgments section of Unbroken. Laura is fascinating, and for someone living as tough a situation as she does, she always answered my emails with a happy attitude, and fast. She and Louie are best friends.

His story is almost insane. I can't imagine doing any of the things he did, and surviving. He is one tough fellow, and very humble about it. When he got the photos I sent him, he commented that most of his friends that he saw in the photos are now dead - a common problem with people who live a very long life.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It'll knock your socks off.
 

bradford

Familiar Face
Messages
63
Location
Sacramento / Phoenix
I heard about this book at church a few months ago and I went out and bought it and read it the next day. What an amazing story. Apparently its being made into a movie - can't wait!
 

AmateisGal

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,126
Location
Nebraska
Louie's story is truly amazing. I ran into his book, re-released in 2002 (written in 1957) in a book store while browsing for WWII aviation stuff. I read a little from it, and had to buy it. I looked for him on Google, and found that he was still alive, with an address and phone number. I called and talked with him for a bit, which was so fun. I found about 300 photographs from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and he was in one of the photos. I sent them to him, and found out about the book being written by Laura. I found her email, and we talked a little bit, and this was back in 2004. She got the photos I found. I'm very lucky to be listed in the Acknowledgments section of Unbroken. Laura is fascinating, and for someone living as tough a situation as she does, she always answered my emails with a happy attitude, and fast. She and Louie are best friends.

His story is almost insane. I can't imagine doing any of the things he did, and surviving. He is one tough fellow, and very humble about it. When he got the photos I sent him, he commented that most of his friends that he saw in the photos are now dead - a common problem with people who live a very long life.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It'll knock your socks off.

WOW. Awesome, Buzz! How cool that you got to talk to Louie AND Laura. They're both heroes in my book. :)
 

AmateisGal

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,126
Location
Nebraska
I have a hard time believing any filmmaker will be brave enough to come close to depicting the horrors inflicted on the Pacific war POWs.
The Money will dictate a watered down version.

I agree. I was saddened that they were going to make this into a movie simply because it is SUCH a good story and Hollywood will never be able to faithfully recreate it.

HOWEVER, that being said, I think Christian Bale might be able to play Louie. He has a good track record of being able to make himself physically fit his roles.
 
Finally found Draggan Mihailovich's story on Zampereni and his interview of "The Bird".

http://www.awesomestories.com/assets/louis-zamperini-4

Something still chilling about him in old age.
His warning right eye droop still there after all those decades. You can just see something "snap".
I wonder how he treated his family.......if he was able to suppress his sadistic drive after being deprived of his supply of helpless victims.
 
Last edited:
Messages
10,181
Location
Pasadena, CA
"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand...

Just a blurb to say I got this book two days ago and I can't put it down. I'm a slow reader - my wife would have finished this by now, but for me, it's a slower pace.
It is fantastic, and seems to have been researched well.
A highly enjoyable read. Interested if others have or are reading it?
 

Flipped Lid

One of the Regulars
Messages
257
Location
The Heart of The Heartland
This is near the top of my "books to read" list. I have an acquaintance who had an opportunity to hear Louis Zamperini speak at his church a few months ago and recommends the book highly. I read "Seabiscuit" by Hillenbrand and thought it was very well done. I look forward to reading "Unbroken".
 
Messages
10,181
Location
Pasadena, CA
This is near the top of my "books to read" list. I have an acquaintance who had an opportunity to hear Louis Zamperini speak at his church a few months ago and recommends the book highly. I read "Seabiscuit" by Hillenbrand and thought it was very well done. I look forward to reading "Unbroken".

Wow - that's amazing! I LOVE this book. Get it :)
 
Messages
10,181
Location
Pasadena, CA
I have a hard time believing any filmmaker will be brave enough to come close to depicting the horrors inflicted on the Pacific war POWs.
The Money will dictate a watered down version.

Well, if "Water For Elephants" is an example, this movie should NOT be made!
WFE was a great book, the movie, blah. It was a raw story, and it got Hollywoodized which is a shame. This movie would be watered down and awful. Too bad.
 

AmateisGal

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,126
Location
Nebraska
I really wish they wouldn't make it into a movie...some stories should just be told in book-form. They're more powerful and authentic that way.
 

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