Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, History
Book Type: Hardcover
Helpful Score: 28
Narrative histories aren't always my cup of tea; Unbroken, however, was perfect. This book is exceedingly human-- the people in it riddled with flaws and wonders that I can't describe. Louis himself is a scamp, a hero, an anti-hero, a preacher, a prankster; in all his complexity, you have to adore the man. His crewmate, Allen Phillips, equally inspired me-- his quiet competence, his humor, and the depth of his love for the financee he has to leave at home only makes you wish you could protect him from the darkness he has to face.
In this narrative, I promise, you will find a character with whom you empathize-- and the story will suck you in. Whether horrified or inspired, and oftentimes both, I was always engaged with these men's lives. Their cleverness, their losses... you grow to love each character. Knowing their stories, you want each one to find safety at the end of the war. Not all of them do.
Whether or not you love history, reading this book will give you a personal stake in World War II, helping you to understand just how deeply this conflict matters to our history and to the people who lived through it. To me, it also lended perspective to the impact of decisions made during that time. I feel I understand the era more, and understand people more for having read this.
A final note: I read this book from the perspective of an atheist and adored it. It's meaningful even for those who don't relate to the elements of God in the story. I think also, however, that it will provide particular resonance for Christians, given the role faith plays in coping with the aftermath of war. The story takes a strong stomach-- there are horrors in it-- but I'd recommend this book to any person of faith who deeply loves history. It's a good present to pick up for your book-loving, history-buff Protestant uncle, if you have one. :)
In this narrative, I promise, you will find a character with whom you empathize-- and the story will suck you in. Whether horrified or inspired, and oftentimes both, I was always engaged with these men's lives. Their cleverness, their losses... you grow to love each character. Knowing their stories, you want each one to find safety at the end of the war. Not all of them do.
Whether or not you love history, reading this book will give you a personal stake in World War II, helping you to understand just how deeply this conflict matters to our history and to the people who lived through it. To me, it also lended perspective to the impact of decisions made during that time. I feel I understand the era more, and understand people more for having read this.
A final note: I read this book from the perspective of an atheist and adored it. It's meaningful even for those who don't relate to the elements of God in the story. I think also, however, that it will provide particular resonance for Christians, given the role faith plays in coping with the aftermath of war. The story takes a strong stomach-- there are horrors in it-- but I'd recommend this book to any person of faith who deeply loves history. It's a good present to pick up for your book-loving, history-buff Protestant uncle, if you have one. :)
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