Having read Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand, I knew that she would bring depth and weave a story within the story, however I blown away with the telling of the attrocities of the Japanese prisoner of war camps and the britality that they endured. It's a compelling work, impossible to imagine how anyone could survive.

I procrastinated picking this book up until 4 days before our book club meeting, because I was certain that I wouldn't like it since I don't have any interest in war type stories and am not fond of history related books. I have to admit that I was sooo wrong to pre-judge it, because I LOVED IT!! The more I read, the harder it was to put the book down. It was inspiring and humbling; it's amazing what these people lived through - I had no idea. It was very well written and I highly recommend this book to anyone!!

I enjoyed this book. You hear so much more about the horrible things the Germans did to the Jews, that we forget about the horrible things done to the Chinese, Koreans, and Allied prisoners by the Japanese. This book helps bring that to light.

Amazingly written and developed. What would appear to be a very "male" story...held me captivated. The story applied to many areas of life and was unbelieveably moving. A fantastic read that will stay with me!

A gripping and life changing story about a real american hero. Now when I think I am having a bad day I think of these men and their strength and perseverance. A true testament of the good and evil in human beings. This book is good for anyone and will change your outlook.

As with Seabiscuit, Hillenbrand makes you feel like you know these people. Very inspiring and impressive

Fascinating character, I was hooked from the first page and am not a big biography fan. Good history lessons about WWII and a story of individual strength. A good tie in with Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet. Extremely well researched.

One of the best books I've read in a long time. Full of informative information but presented in an interesting way that keeps you turning pages from the very first chapter. Brings history into your heart!

I could not put this down. A true story of one pow in the Pacific Theater of WWII. This man's will controlled his destiny. He overcame obstacles that were unbelieveable.

What a fantastic book, a must read! truly an inspiring story and ultimately about love and forgiveness

A gripping, inspirational, and worthy read.

Wonderful historical book that I couldn't put down.

Very good book. Really opens your eyes to what went on to POW's from WWII but also amazes you with the resiliency of someone who has been through so much.

A great read! An amazing story of will, determination, and triumph! So many books have focused on Hitler and Germany during WWII. It was riveting to read about Japan and the POW camps. I'm in my late 30's and am ashamed to say I never knew about the Japanese POW camps and the horrifying conditions. I feel like I really learned something from this well written, remarkably researched book. Louis is a true hero!

Every member loved it!

An inspiring book about the human spirit and the ability to triumph against all odds.

Couldn't put it down. Still can't believe humans can be so cruel to each other. Very well written. Moved fast, especially since a true story.

We have an 8 member book club and our rating system is from 1 to 10 and our group rated 8 coffee cups. Very emotional and thought provoking. A must read for anyone that enjoys history!

Great personal story of survival during WWII!

An incredible story of WWII experiences that left me with a tremendous respect for so many. It is demonstrated time and time again that hope and dignity are just as essential to life as food and water. This book really opened my eyes.

Although I don't read many biographies, this was a definite MUST! Hillenbrand finds the most captivating stories, and Louis Zamperini's life is no exception. From his early days as a hooligan, to his training days for the Olympics onto his service for WWII, Zamp's life is a whirlwind of challenge and survival. I found myself appreciating the Best Generation even more for their service, dedication and love of our country. To endure so much and come out smiling says a lot and the reflection back helps us younger generation have an idea what a War of that magnitude was like. For any lover of sports, read it. For any lover of the history of war, read it. For any lover of survivial, read it. For any lover of resilience, read it. Basically read it. You will come out with so much more than you started that you can't be disappointed.

Hillenbrand has put out another masterpiece. What a story! It really makes you appreciate what it means that "Freedom is not free".

Excellently researched. Awesome, compelling story.

I was hesitant to choose this book last month for our club, but on my son's strong recommendation took a leap of faith and suggested it to the members. Our club has read most of the books on your highest-rated list, but several of us declared Unbroken our favorite book ever. We were amazed and inspired by the man and his story. We felt like we knew the people and their families and really cared about what happened to them during and after the period covered in the book. This book deserves 6 stars!

A lot to discuss

Such misery, tragedy, suffering and then hope and forgiveness. What makes the human race so vile? Tha they can do such atrocities to each other? And then, what makes them forgive. I think that this is a very existential question.

I loved this. Much anticipated after "seabiscuit" Definitely a keeper.

Wonderful story of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of horrifying trials. Opened my eyes to some of the details of WWII that I hadn't ever considered. Really liked this book.

Truly one of the best books of the year. It is an amazing story of a man with determination and courage. It is hard to believe that anyone could withstand the trials that he did. I really did not think i would like it as I viewed it as a man's book, but I was totally enthralled with the story. I highly recommend it.

An awesome book a wonderful read.

Until I read this book I had no idea who Louis Zamerini was and what he went through as a captive of the Japanese Army. I hadn't realized either how very badly he was treated. It broke my heart.

A fascinating look at history. Hard to read because of what the P.O.W.'s went through but important and very inspiring.

Not everyone in our group liked the degree of details included in the book, but it was certainly clear the author's research was extensive. The story is so "Hollywood" that you can picture the movie as you read. It was great learning about the strength of the human spirit even against the greatest odds.

I found the book very informative and well written. I feel that I gained a lot of knowledge about WWII that I never knew before reading this book..however, sometimes I felt that the reading was slow and drawn out.

Always wanted to know more about WWII. So glad to have this narrative to do just that. Author's language challenged me -- loved learning some new vocab!

I loved this book.

Highly recommend. You will have a new respect for American POW's and all of the soldiers of WW II. A remarkable story. So well crafted by the author.

I couldn't put this rich book down. Loved the detail. Captured the spirit of one tough character. I lOVE biographies, and this one was amazing in its scope of the war, Japan's brutality to our POW's and one man's ability to survive in spite of the odds against him. A must read for anyone who loves history.

Unbelievable true story of survival.

I am more of a fiction reader but I could not put this book down. I started it on the plane when traveling for work. I ended up staying up very late two nights in a row. First to get Louie out of the ocean and second out of the Prison of War camps. Riveting story. Also fascinating that after all the head trauma he did not suffer any longterm effects. Or at least he seems to not have any mental decline when relaying his harrowing tale. I suspect his bravado attitude and child pranks and ingenuity are what helped him survive. one of the best non fiction stories I've read.
It's also amazing that there are probably a thousand other harrowing stories out there that will never be told. What a tribute to all the veterans of war.

I had very little knowledge of the character of Unbroken and found by the end of the book that I had fallen in love with him, his family and his friends. The title of the book is perfect and describes this man's experiences wonderfully. I found the book to be very informative and inspiring. It gave us 3 hours of things to discuss at book club!!! I highly recommend this book to other book clubs. There are a few parts of the book that are difficult to read because of the content but are very important to the story so I tell people to fight through them so that you can really live the experience. Laura H is a very talented author and I look forward to any next book she may write.

Well written and documented. There was a great deal of interesting information about WWII and the Pacific Theater of War. The treatment of prisoners by the Japanese was difficult to read in light of our current political relationship with Japan.

A true story of survival despite all odds.

Everyone young and old should have to read this book. We forget the sacrifices some gave for our country. This book tells a story of one man but brings to life the story of World War II and what was endured by so many. The life story of this one person brought to life the era of World War II for me like no history lesson ever could. This book is brilliant.

Truly an amazing story of a WWII POW that should be a must read for all. I was so blown away by the story of Louie Zamperini and his courage and will to survive. This book is definitely in my top 3 favorites.

One on my favorite stories ever. I really enjoyed Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit, but this was even better. Louie Zamperini is an inspiration and his story is unbelievable. Hillenbrand's research is impeccable. Her style is informative and engaging at the same time. Highly recommend.

Just an awesome read, fight for survival.. perserverance

I accidentally ordered on my Kindle and decided to keep it. I had such trouble picking it up the first 100 or so pages - thought to myself "why am I reading this?" It's not a subject, war, specifically WWII, that I'm at all interested in. It got better as it went along - much better. Inspiring characters, inspiring generation, learned a lot and ended up enjoying the book. Glad I persevered and read it.

I found the book interesting and informative and at the same time very disturbing. It was a long, difficult read for me. My son has completed two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan (each a 12 month deployment) and knowing the mental anguish these soldier endure being away from their families and knowing the risks of falling into enemy hands, this book left me very uneasy and even more worrisome for their safety than before. The ability of certain soldiers to forgive and place the human nature of revenge aside and in God's hands, gave me some comfort. However, for every soldier who learns to forgive, there are way too many who are tormented by such experiences.

A fascinating true story. We selected this book to read with our spouses for a couples meeting. It was engaging and inspiring.

Our generation is losing the impact of what WWII had on those who served and their families. This amazing story of survival and redemption protects a valuable piece of American history.

Excellent! Lot's of discussion at book club meeting. Many members shared stories of their father/grandfather's experiences during WWII.

Wow is all I can say, what a story about human perserverance and survival. An inspiration to all.

Incrediable true-life story that reads like a made for Hollywood script. At times the descriptions of the torture of the prisioners and conditions of the POW camps are graphic and upsetting. The cruelty and dehumanizing treatment is nearly unbearable. Hillenbrand is beyond thorough in her research, often going off in tangents that are not directly related to the main story. The pace drags at times; other times you are caught up in the adventure and can't wait to find out what will happen next.

We discovered a completely "new" aspect of WWII, other than Hitler and the Holocaust. Had no idea this kind of treatment of our POWs was taking place in Japan. The book graphically demonstrates the perseverance of the human spirit and our will to survive.

I thought this book was fantastic. This guy has an amazing life story. This biography was one of the best stories I have ever read. The writing was good, but the story was incredible.

UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand (author of SEABISCUIT) is nonfiction. I’m afraid many readers will miss this book for that reason. They think nonfiction is dull. But I promise, UNBROKEN is not dull. It’s a can’t-put-it-down book that will keep you up at night.

Louie Zamperini was a track star in the 1930s. He was good enough to go to the 1936 Olympics in Germany, and all expected, with more experience, he would be a medalist in the next Olympic games. Instead, World War II interfered, and Louie was drafted into the Army Air Corps.

Then Hillenbrand relates his life as a wartime flier. But Louie’s experiences, even compared with other fliers who saw combat, weren’t typical. Although “war is hell” is true for everyone involved, Louie’s hell was progressively worse. Just when I thought, this is more than a person can take, it got even more hideous.

Somehow, in part because Louie was so physically fit, he kept going. But he wouldn’t have if not for amazing mental strength as well.

If you expect a summary of what happens, I’m sorry. It would be unfair to you. I found the book un-put-downable just because I wasn’t familiar with Louie’s story. I would be doing you a disservice by summarizing the book’s various parts.

Do yourself a favor: don’t read the book flap or other reviews, either, until you’ve read the book yourself.

I can tell you this. UNBROKEN begins with a prologue. Louie and two other men are floating on a rubber raft in the ocean. They’re starving to death and weak when a jet flies low over them. Louie thinks it is American, and they are about to be saved. But it’s not. What happens on that ocean is really bad. But after the prologue and after the story begins with Louie’s early life to his experiences as a runner to the Olympics to the military, it then keeps getting worse.

Even so, I didn’t think this was a depressing book. I’ll admit, sometimes it was hard to read, and, if you’re like me, you may get so caught up in the story you’ll even get a headache at times. I wanted to keep reading because, even though bad kept happening, Louie kept overcoming.

Hillenbrand continues the story after Louie’s military service, and we see his (and others who were with him) ability and inability to cope. We see lives forever changed, often disastrously.

And we also see . . . . Well, I can’t continue without giving away what you should read and not anticipate because of something I said. But hint: I learned some unpleasant facts about Japanese civilians during World War II and after, even to present day.

Although I read slowly, I read a lot. I usually find one, maybe two, books a year that are so wonderful I can’t speak highly enough of them. This is one of those books.

The most inspiring story I have ever read in my life. Highly recommend for everyone.

Our group is men and women and reads mostly non-fiction. We all agreed this WWII story was one of the best books we've selected to read so far.

This is one of the best books I have ever read!! Louie Zamperini's story and his experience in World War II is inspiring and a book filled with hope in desperate times . . . there is something to be learned by reading this book.

This book was the most astounding true story I have ever read. The man's struggles were extraordinary.

Absolutely spell binding. Terrific true story that holds you in its grips from beginning to the end. What an amazing man, both Louie and all the brave Americans.

Great book, very inspirational. A wonderful insight into WW2.

This is a compelling look at a man who reached highs and lows in his lifetime. Full of detail, I learned many things about the war with Japan that I did not know. This even having heard stories from my father in law who was a sailor there.

Hillenbrand makes her main characters come alive, although sometimes her cursory treatment of minor characters becomes tedious. Overall, a really good book for club discussion.

I am glad our book club is choosing different genres of books. This bio was AWESOME. I learned a lot about humanity & the struggle for perseverance. Highly recommend this book for those looking to learn about the dark side of WWII

The title is quite fitting - Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Just wait until you get to the redemption part - LOVED THIS BOOK. Louis is a hero!!

I will think of this story for the rest of my life. This story raises so many personal and historical questions- about life and cultures and war.

My book club read this book and discussed it this month. I read it in 5 days, having trouble putting it down to do what I had to! Several of our members had been alive during that time and they talked about their memories of the war, as well as telling us what they learned from the book that they didn't know before. We were all impressed with Louie's ability to survive and thrive. This is a well written book that you will not soon forget.

Our bookclub enjoyed this book although many thought it had a slow beginning. We gave it a 4+ rating and would highly recommend to others. It is a good Book Club selection as it lead to a lively discussion on man's ability to be cruel in the worst of times. A must read for anyone who is not versed in the Pacific happening in WWII.

Wonderful book. Thought provoking, at times hard to believe what people do to each other in the name of war. Provides wonderful insight as to how we can endure unbelievable hardships and still endure. I recommend it to anyone.

The book has very hard for me to get into but Im so glad I stuck it out. This as an amazing story. I had the opportunity to speak to a B-25 pilot who was in the air when the atomic bomb was dropped. His crew also dropped the supplies for the POW's.

This is an amazing true story of survival and inspiration to beat all odds. It is informative and draws you in right from the start. Part 4 is hard to push through because it is so dark but it is worth it to get the full effect and glory of Louie's life.

I couldn't believe what I was reading, but this was one of my favourite books ever! We always hear about what went on in Germany, but very seldom about Japan! A remarkable story! Loved it, and couldn't put it down:)

Most inspiring biographical life story I have ever read. We continue to question how we do not learn through history the cruelty of war. I had no idea of the history of the Japanese military.

This is an outstanding book of courage and spirit in regards to a POW during WWII. It is a piece of history that few know about and is a testament to the hardships suffered by our captured troops. It is also the story of not only survival but the will to overcome and succeed...
An excellent read by an outstanding author.

No words to describe all the feeling I had reading this book. Fantastic narrative and eye opener...

so amazing.

Louie's story is amazing and Hillenbrand does a fantastic job of keeping the flow so that it does not become to much like a history book. Really makes you appreciate what you have in life.

This book was amazing. Amazing.

don't miss this read...

This book kept my attention right from the first chapter. I was not aware of the conditions that the pilots dealt with during WW II nor did I realize what they were subjected to in the POW camps. Amazing story!

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. If we could look ahead 15 years to view the results of our actions, we could avoid so many disastrous events. Monday morning quarterbacking would not exist if we could only make judgments based on foreknowledge. Those were my first thoughts as I began this book. If only we had seen the very height of the stock market foretelling the eventual crash of ’29, the success of Hitler against all odds in the 30’s because the timing was right, because people were being played like pawns and falling for his grandiose speeches, grabbing at any pipe dream that might make their lives easier, seeking solutions outside themselves, the dangers of eugenics. If only we had seen the duplicity of the Japanese government as it engaged in peace talks and plotted our destruction, seen also the beginning of the seeds of socialism which would eventually lead to the debacle we are experiencing today, led there by the glib tongue of another possible narcissist and politician who was worshiped as a savior, then later proven to have clay feet. We had warning signs. We didn’t heed them then,
This book is about a tragedy that befell our heroes in the events surrounding World War II. It is about, in particular, one such hero and survivor …Louis Zamperini. Born in 1917, with an indomitable spirit which showed itself when he was just a toddler, his headstrong and incorrible behavior led him onward. Committing various illegal acts , he raced through life, flying in the face of rules and defying regulations until one day, after many failed trials and errors, with the help of his brother Pete, he awoke to the joy of running and racing competitively, eventually competing in the Olympics in Germany with Jesse Owens. It must have been that wild spirit refusing to cave and never say uncle, that probably gave him the courage and fortitude to survive.

Fantastic book! One of the best I've ever read!

Unbroken kept all of our readers interested from beginning to end. We found the personal perspective of being a prisoner of war very eye opening. We agreed it was well written....sharks by the raft....Bird etc. The characters were well developed.
We had a great discussion about what made Louis so resilient and able to sustain his dignity one horrific encounter after another.

A testimony to the human spirit. Just to survive that long, lost in the ocean, would have made an amazing book. But to then go on to endure years of torture took an incredible stamina and love for life.

Excellent book

It's difficult to find three words to add emphasis to a 5 star recommendation. Unbroken is not an easy read. Aware that every incident is not fiction, one dodges bullets, sharks and maniacs, hoping images will not invade sleep. I've been told the life of Louie Zamparini is to be made into a movie; if done like most recent realistic Hollywood films, I can't imagine him easily watching himself incarnated on film. His survival was truly against all odds and many who suffered the ordeals of WWII and POW camps had much different outcomes. The fact that he vowed to devote himself to God and eventually did, is an appreciated footbote in a book that inspires, leads us to realize what humans can be capable of, and yet underlines the inadequacy and vulnerability of most. Zamparini is a remarkable man. Laura Hillebrand has done another brilliant job (Seabiscuit) and her hard work in research, interviews and superb writing is greatly admired.

An amazing story. Definitely worth reading...an excellent book club selection.

insightful!

If you do not know much about the Pacific theater of WWII this is a good place to start

I may be the only person in my book club who did not like the book. I found it to be tedious reading. It was slow. I kept thinking that if I could make it through the first part that the story would improve but that didn't happen for me.

It was like eating vegetables, part of a balanced diet. Not like dessert that I would choose for entertainment.

And you think you have problems?! This book is AMAZING! Great discussions and makes your problems seem small in comparrision.

Our club overwhelmingly loved this book, even though some thought some of the incidents may have been embellished since Loui Zamperini couldn't possibly have remembered everything that happened to him. Some also said the title wasn't apt since he really was "broken", then was able to make a come back after many years. All in all, it was an inspiring story about an amazing man. Loui Zamperini wrote his own book entitled "Devil At My Heels" for anyone wanting to read his own words written earlier in life.

What an amazing, inspiring story!

Author shows her talent in writing this amazing and frightening story.

This is an amazing tale of Louie and how it handled life and everything it threw at him. It made for great conversation and it was nice to learn about WWII from the Japan front rather than only the European arena.

This book was way, way WAY too long. The true "story" is amazing, but the writer got so bogged down in details. It is not hard to understand how horrible the circumstances were of WWII, but the story was lost in the way too many details. I never did finish it, which is a shame, but I just couldn't commit the time needed and I just got tired and frustrated as a read. I heard Louie Z wrote his own book..I am going to look for that one!

This was a great story, but it really could have been condensed. It was very long and depressing. I wish the author would have spent more of the book discussing his recovery and years back home. It would have been much more interesting than all of the intricate details of the war and torture. I am amazed at how many challenges one person can face.

I love that the author tells Louie's story within other people's stories plus historical information. Besides learning of so many hero's, I learned about the time period and WW II. I also couldn't help but think of all our current men and women soldiers - those who have been serving overseas and their journey home. Makes me appreciate my freedom and the USA even more.

Laura Hillenbrand doesn't disappoint in her second book, which brings to our attention the unbelievably true story of Louie Zamperini. Why we didn't grow up learning about this great American hero in school is beyond me. Thanks to Hillenbrand, the word is getting out about this amazing WWII hero. Hillenbrand does her research thoroughly and well. No detail is left out, and at times it becomes difficult to read of the atrocities put upon this man during the war. Every American should read this book. There should be a new national holiday declared: Louis Zamperini Day!

An amazing story of survival, based on strong will to live, etc. Informative historical insight into the Pacific War during WWII. Out of 11 members of our book club, four loved the book; some weren't interested in the topic and didn't read it; their loss. I highly recommend this book for book clubs, even though some of our members didn't read it.

A must read. She is an amazing author and very detailed. You feel as though you are part of the story. Great book and great topic.

Our group found the book to be very popular amongst the members. We all rated that we really liked it. Our non-fiction readers rated it especially high and our fiction-lovers were impressed with the author's ability to keep our attention. Our discussion was lively and we veered off onto many controversial subjects i.e cannibalism in the face of death.

Although I don't particularly like "war books," this one was so well written, had such a compelling personality for its subject, and was so insightful as to what shaped his character as well as the disturbing characters of his tormentors, I couldn't put it down. Fascinating to read about the spirit of these soldiers from World War II.

Amazing book...without my book club I would not have picked up a World War 2 book ever....wonderful read..

The group discussion raised topics such as: How can one forgive such atrocities?, I now understand more of why the US had to use the atomic bomb, was this kind of survival in the man's genes?, wonderful brother Pete, we don't even want to talk about "The Bird', the author is a great researcher, but the quality of the writing does not match it.

Our club really enjoyed this book. It was one of our better discussions. Much was learned from the history and time this story took place.

In the face of man's inhumanity through torture and deprivation, for years, this man triumphed.
And then his Faith and family helped him through his PTS years. A miracle. Gripping read.

A book that I wouldn't have picked up on my own to read but did because it was a book group pick I did read it. Very informative book about the American POWs in Japan during WWII. Interesting about their lives before the war, and the lives they had after the war. It also makes a point about how PTSD wasn't a new malady of current war veterans. Glad I read it though not an enjoyable book.

Excellent book. One of our club members husband was in the same fraternity with Zamperini and he had been honored by them this year. The book was very informative about Zamperini's personality and all he did to win the Olympics. It made you realize the treatment that was given to POW during the war.
Highly recommend!

An entralling WWII story. It's a heart wrenching reminder as to why they were called "the greatest generation".

Although I would never have normally chose to read a book like this, I loved it.As did the group.It was amazing to me what the human spirit can endure .
What amazed me most was how after going to hell and back this amazing human being found it within his heart to forgive his captors.
The horror of it all, is that man is capable of such heinousness.

Loved this book! This book has everything, from historic details to gripping events that will make you shudder! A truly inspiring ending!

I read this book over a year ago and I still think about it and its amazaing main character pretty regularly. What a story!. Everyone in my book group loved the book. I love books that entertain, inspire, and teach--and this one does all.

What an inspiring and truely motivational book this was. While his experience as a POW was terrible, he was able to overcome. Hillenbrand did an excellent job researching and constructing another inspiring book. We can't wait for her next.

This book was hard to read and hard to put down at the same time.

Educational-wow-what a book

The story of Louie Zamperini is amazing. There is no denying this man endured more than any human being should ever have to and more than most of us can even imagine. He is a survivor and his story is far more than what I expected when I picked up this book. "Unbroken" is a great story and I would easily recommend it to other book clubs. Everyone in my book club learned something from this book. Most of us were shocked that there was so much about WWII that we did not know. Everything written about this time period surrounds Germany and the atrocities committed there. We had no idea the number of POWs in Japan were so many and that they were treated so inhumanely. We all walked away from the book with a greater understanding of why the war had to end the way it did. And wondering why this isn't covered in greater detail in history classes.

We had more to talk about for this book than we’ve had in a long time. There was some emotional connection for us all. Many had stories about grandfathers, uncles, etc who had been in war and how rare it is to hear stories from veterans. We talked a lot about the simple miracle that Louie survived so much and how it affected him later in life. This really is a great book for book clubs with so much to discuss that discussion questions were not even needed!

While my opinion was not in the majority, I was not a fan of the writing. The story was fantastic and it would be difficult to tell it badly. It's just that amazing. The author speaks about everything from a distance. She glosses over mundane information and fails to bring much emotion at all into an incredibly emotional story. In the 400 + pages about a man named Louie Zamperini, I still felt little connection to him individually and like I knew very little about what kind of man he was (is).

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. I couldn't stop reading it because I needed to find out what happened next (thus, the love) but the content wanted me to hate people, situations, and war. I fell in love with the characters. The book isn't written particularly well. It's choppy and I found myself skimming parts of it. I now understand why my dad wouldn't talk much about his time in Germany during the war and why Viet Nam vets that I know don't want to talk about that war either. It helped me understand a culture but I'm grappling with forgiveness even though the characters displayed it. It's worth reading and I'd have not done so without my book group!!

Well Babes,

"Unknown" was a big hit! We gave the book five stars! Hopefully you all had an opportunity to finish it. Robyn, Nancy, Michele, Kim P., Martha and myself found the story to be very enlightening, powerful and a page turner for sure. The true story of Louis Zamperini is a lesson of endurance and courage. I think that it is a book that all the Babes would recommend as a must read.

This book is well written and one that is hard to put down. You want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

An amazingly graphic story of one man's journey through every emotion possible, every test of strength, and determination to survive! Fabulous.

A very well researched and well written story of the horrors of war. Amazing how he survive!

I don't normally read WWII books, but this one did provide a fascinating, if not disturbing, revelation of the POW experience. It was also illuminating about the Western theatre and the involvement with the Japanese during the War years. Never having heard of Louie Zamperini, I was amazed at this man's life story. This humanistic view is the way history should be told.

History buff will love this book for its insight into the side of WWII that we rarely here about. This story is inspiring and makes the reader wonder if they would have survived under these unimaginable circumstances.

An engaging non-fiction that kept me turning the pages. A great depiction of the strength of the human spirit and power of love in even the direst situations. Knowledge and information gain, alone, made it a worthwhile read!

My book club had chosen this as our June book...i had a hard time finding it anywhere. Once i got my hands on a copy..i was not able to get past the first 2 chapters....I personally thought it had too many details about the races and such. No one in my book club enjoyed it. We wound picking another book.

I found it extremely difficult to get into this book but once I passed the beginning portion I was more into the book. It was challenging to read about what the main character endured and I felt it was a bit much but it was very informative and eye-opening for me.

It's one of those books that you would recommend to every person you meet.

Louis grabs you by the heart strings and doesn't let go. This book is full of wonderfully inspiring stories of a man who can't be beat down. A page turner from the start, you won't want to set this book down!

I was "caught" from the moment I began it until I finished it. I found it hard to put down and marveled anew at the bravery and strength of those who have served us in uniform. I was truly inspired by this man's story and am so glad that such a wonderful writer was the one to tell it. We had a great discussion, and each person there found it a wonderful read.

Learned a lot about the Pacific side of WW2 and what POWs endured, and read through the book quickly--unable to put it down--rooting for the soldier, Louis Zamperini, the whole way through.

I thought the book was very interesting and informative. I was impressed with louie's resolve to survive against all odds. I would have liked to have read more about hos life after he had found his inner peace. I would have liked to learn about his camp for troubled boys.

Great read about a courageous man and his ability to survive and forgive.

I loved this book, would read it again, & bought it for my 3 dads!

Very detailed and awe-inspiring account of Louie Zamperini's survival as a Japanese POW during WWII. Unbelievable conditions he lived through, yet and ever positive will to live.

Laura Hillenbrand is a phenomenal researcher and writer, and has brought the story of 'Unbroken' Louie Zamperini to life.

Hillenbrand's extraordinary research skills and ability to tell a story with nonfiction are exceptional. The story of one man's survival through the horrors of WWII is inspiring. I have read many novels which focus on the Holocaust, but this informs on the experience in Japanese POW camps. And if you haven't read Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit, do so!

I was hesitant to get this book because I am not typically interested in war novels, but I am so glad I did. Very well written, and so inspiring. Everyone must read this book at least once.

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

I know we were supposed to study this in school, but I learned so much more about WWII from this book. I'm so very proud of our veterans and especially my Dad. It's amazing what Louis and other POW went thru.

I was amazed at the amount that the human spirit can endure. It was a very informative and inspiring book. I would recommend this to both woman and men.

For those who don't know much about WWII and the Japanese, this book is eye opening. It is a bit hard to get into but well worth the push through. It is a true story! This is one of those reads for when your club wants to learn something from your monthly selection. I recommend this book.

This book was very informative and gave me a whole new understanding to wars and what our soldiers go through for our freedom! Hats off to all of them for their courage and bravery!

A well written story about the life of Louis Zamperini and his survival during World War II. It's amazing that this is a true life story. A must read.

An amazing story!!! Another truly incredible telling of the resilience of the human spirit. Almost like reading 3 books in one: the story of growing up and athletic achievements; the war experience; and his integration back into society upon liberation. Although I read alot of history, there is always something new to learn and this does not disappoint. It could be difficult to read at times r/t atrocities perpetrated by the Japanese military personnel and had to take some "time off" from reading it periodically. Well worth keeping at it.

That is why I joined a book club. To read what I normally would never have chosen myself. And of course a night out with friends!
Well Unbroken was one of those I would never have read, but am a better person for it. The beginning I admit, was a bit heavy on the racing statistics, but the time and background history was fantastic. Getting a backgorund view of the Olympics in Germany!
Once I got to the military part of his life I could not put the book down.
It had adventure, intrigue, suspense, strife, love, and just everthing! To know it was a true story made me SO much more thankful for those who serve and have served our country and us.
It also made me much more appreciative of all we have and take so much for granted.

Hillenbrand does a great job researching and then assembling this amazing story. Her writing kept me glued to the pages - I couldn't stop myself from exclaiming "oh my G-d!" several times while reading the accounts of Zamperini beating off the sharks that were circling his leaky life raft. Reading the accounts of the prison camp was difficult, but knowing that he is STILL ALIVE TODAY kept me reading.



This guy is a kick-ass survivor! Reading about his life sure helped me keep my own 'struggles' in perspective :-)

This was the most fascinating book I have read in a long time. It is hard to believe that one person could survive so much hardship and tragedy .... one thinks of a James Bond novel except it is true! I found the description of the time spent in the South Pacific to be the most beautiful and inspiring part of the story. If you ever think that you are up against impossible odds. you should read this book ... it might just change your mind!

While this book is difficult to read in the aspect of the subject matter' it is a story worth telling and reading. SO many times he could have given up. But he was truly UNBROKEN.

Wonderful inspirational story!

All I could think while I was reading this \\\\\\\"epic\\\\\\\" was RUN, FOREST RUN!

This was one of the most interesting books that I have ever read about WWII. It gives insight into what life was like to be a Japanese prisoner. The inner power of the prisoner (author) was absolutely amazing. I actually saw the author on a TV show, and he is 96 years old and is "as sharp at a tack."

An inspiring book about the resilience of the human spirit. It is difficult to fully comprehend what Louis Zamperini endured and you will find yourself wondering why he can't seem to catch a break. It helped significantly to know in advance that he not only survived but eventually thrived.

This is a book about true grit and perserverence!

fabulous true story! engaging and entertaining!

This is an unbelievable story of courage and strength set in the most horrendous circumstances. What makes it so inspiring is its a true story and the author is still alive.

You really don't know what you are getting into. The first part of louie's life is so vastly different from the rest of the book, although it does tie together well.

An inspiring tale of courage and inner human strength.

Dramatic story of one man\'s triumph over incredible adversity. Hard to read at times due to the graphic nature of some of the subject matter but enjoyed it none the less.

Best book I read last year. Non fiction book about Japan during WWII.

Lots to discuss here. Really inspiring life and excellently researched.

We all thought that the book dragged at the beginning when discussing the childhood of Louie Zamperini, but after that it was hard to put down. It is an amazing story that shows both man's inhumanity to man and his goodness.

Amazing story of Louis Zamperini - true grit and salvation.

This book was so descriptive And made me really think about the continual tragedies of any war and the strength needed to survive.

Real life is definitely more compelling than fiction! Such an amazing story of courage and perseverance. So well written.

Our group had difficulty reading about the torture, were amazed at the clarity of description of the days spent in the life raft and wondered at what made this such a page turner. Several members had no idea that he is still alive or that he actually survived the torture.

We all said it was a really well written book. The subject matter is hard to read, however, it gave us insight into these POWs lives during the war. We'd always heard so much about Germany concentration camps but not much about what went on in Japan. My heart aches for what they had to endure.

Wow. Could not put this down. I want to meet Louis.

Absolutely everyone in our group felt this was an important book, and we were all glad we read it. Typically, this group does not care for non-fiction, but all of us were captivated by this read.

This book is amazing! Very heavy (in size and subject matter) but well worth the read. It is hard to complain about anything in your life after you read this book.

Well written and beautifully told story that is true and so very tragic at times. Inspiring to know that there is an individual among us that endured and overcame. Our book club loved it!!!!

I thought i had read a fair amount in this genre, but Unbroken is in a class by itself. Brilliant and haunting, a true testament to human spirit and will

This wasn't an easy book to read, but I learned so much I didn't know about WWII.

Loved this book, the writing had me hooked from the start. At first wasn\\\'t sure about the subject, I knew it was an interesting story but would I want to read it? Yes, absolutely. There were very dark moments but also moments of humor and stories of the human spirit and american spirit. In the end the message of forgiveness and hope and a life well lived trumped everything.

I really enjoyed this book. it really opened my eyes as to the struggles for these soldiers.

I started reading this book and couldn't put it down! Written so well that you felt like you were right there. Events happen during the war, but it is a story of a special man with an amazing will to live and succeed.

This was one of the most profound books I\\\'ve ever read. So informative as I knew little about the Pacific side of WWII. This man\\\'s life was a miracle considering all the horrific events that he came through. Highly recommend this read!

The scenes in the story go from "It could never be worse than this" to "Oh, yes it could". Powerful story. Helped me understand my grandfather's never talking about War in Japan.

A fabulous account of one man's tenacity in the trials of war. He embodies the spirit of "the greatest generation" and imparts gratitude upon the reader.

An amazing and inspiring story full of horrific details of war and survival.

A brilliantly written story of a man that through a torturous experience found his life's purpose.

I thought the book should have been shorter in length, but overall and great story of a man's endurance. What a life he lived.

An amazing story about a prisoner of war in Japan during WW II. A lot of books about Germany during the war but not a lot about what was going on in Japan. A must read for every American to appreciate the sacrifice and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy.

A must read for every reader.

Excellent and informative. Great discussion by book club members.

This book was a real eye opener. It was horrifying, but I just couldn't put it down. I had to find out what happened to Louie . My Dad never talked bout his war experience, but after reding this book I realized how horrid what they had experienced was. The book club had the best conversation ever on this book.

This was an inspiring story of survival although it was tragic in the things that happen to our soldiers during WWII. A must read for understanding the WWII conflict in the Pacific. and the impact on not only the soldiers/airman, but their families as well.

I found this book very difficult to complete. I had to force myself to pick it up and continue reading. First, I am not fond of reading about history. And this book was so relentlessly depressing and dark, it was very hard to read. That said, I also have to say that it was very informative as I didn\'t know a lot about WWII in the Pacific. There was also a lot to talk about, so it made a good discussion book. However, unless you are a big fan of history reading, I wouldn\'t recommend this.

Unbroken is intense. Hillenbrand really has a knack for writing non-fiction in an easy, story-like manner and this was no different. So well written and researched. It was a quick read despite it's length. Not an easy read only because the material was so heavy. I'm fascinated with WW2 and have read a lot about it, but this was my first real exposure into the Pacific and it was really fascinating but a little traumatizing too. The characters are gripping and just amazing human beings and their plight makes you realize just how resilient people can be.

Amazing what this man endured and survived. Well researched. Absolutely dynamic life beginning from childhood through his adult life. Unbroken shows what a human is capable of surviving.

The author is a brilliant writer who is able to draw the reader into the raw emotions of the characters. It is a great read.

This book was very graphic and sometimes hard to get through. It was most informative on how prisoners were treated.

This is a hard book to read, but a page turner. If I hadn\\\'t known he lived through the ordeals in WWII, I might have stopped reading. But I had to see what happened. And I found that I learned so much about the Pacific campaigns that I did not know, too.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to other book clubs. Nearly unbelievable events happen in war and so often these terrible things are not even touched on in our education. I understand that veterans have difficulty reliving events like these through retelling their stories and it becomes clear why in this book. There were areas that I had to quit reading because my stomach was getting too upset. The harsh realities of POWs is too much for me to read about and yet it was good to know the truth. Louie's memories were a great honor to read, in part because he had the ability to tell so many stories that go untold. His ability to conquer and forgive are a lesson we can all benefit from reading about. It's amazing to me that his own memoirs never took off, but I'm glad that Hillenbrand was able to make this into a popular novel.

The book reads like a well-researched novel, which is the only reason I give it four out of five stars. I quite enjoyed the statistics throughout, yet at time the drama was perhaps overshadowed by the research. I'm sure that largely the author wanted to prove that these events are what actually occurred, but it felt forced at times. Certain events seeming to last too long and others abbreviated too much due to lack of proof perhaps.

Though largely focused on the wartime period, I wish there would have been more about his coming to Christ and his work after the war. This man lead an unbelievable life and it is stunning that he not only came through the other side unbroken, but truly inspiring and unrelenting in his love for humanity. I can't wait to see the movie.

Our book discussions normally last about an hour or so. When discussing this book, two hours had past without anyone realizing it. Louie's story is captivating and allows for much discussion.

While we were fascinated by Louie's life story and the details provided about his life and the POWs, we were not big fans of the way the book was written. Hillenbrand's descriptions were fully developed, but she would add comments/information about "characters" who were introduced briefly, so it was hard to remember who she was discussing. When we were finally able to follow one storyline, she would jump to something else. We found that her writing required undivided attention so we were unable to read more than a few pages at a time.

Because of Louie's extraordinary life, most of us finished reading the book.

It was long, but interesting. I don't like torture at all, so the prison scenes were hard to read. He was quite a human being. Very well written.

This book is a great testament to the human spirit.

Most of our club said they could not put "Unbroken" down once they started it. Great book...the movie does not do it justice, but was still good.

Historical account of survival; well written; kept interest throughout.

What this man went thru and survived is incredible--a must read.

Our group felt that the story was well written, that we learned a lot about Japan's role in WWII and how a life can be turned around by developing a self-satisfying interest in life with a mentor who really cares about you. The story also tells about the devastating affects war has on it's veterans and how much help and understanding they need to try and live a normal life after they return home.

I listened to the audio recording of this title and was unable to stop some nights to get to sleep. It just sucked you in and made you want to hang in there with the characters to see what was going to happen next.
I did think that with all the action and events in the first 7/8 of the book it ended rather weakly. I know that some may find Zamparini\\\'s feelings of redemption at the end inspiring , but it felt a little flat and impersonal to me.

Unbelievable that these men survived. Very informative, told well. Another part of history learned.

I learned a lot about WWII I didn't know, I'm so grateful for all that the military endured for freedom. The details in Louie Zamperini were amazing. I rated it with four stars because I didn't handle the tortures in the POW camps well (nightmares). I wish there would have been more on his life after his conversion.

I enjoyed the book but it was extremely violent and I had a hard time reading parts of it due to the brutality. I would be very careful to whom I would recommend it.

Informative on the horrors that our POWs had to endure but also was hard to read the details. I think as a younger generation we forget about what our ancestors had to go through during the war & how that molded the people they became.

Louis Zamperini was one of a kind. He was a remarkable man who experienced the horror of war to a degree that is difficult to read about. The fact that he survived the torture he endured and was able to live a long and eventually happy life was inspiring. I will not forget him.

I found this book to be a fascinating if difficult story of the part of WWII we rarely study in school. Well written with only a few repetitive facts. When you are feeling sorry for yourself, think of these people in these horrid situations and their resilience.