The biography of Louis Zamperini, a 5,000 meter 1936 Berlin Olympic runner trapped in a Japanese concentration camp, was one of the most inspiring novels that I’ve read in the past year. In it, Laura Hillenbrand told the remarkable life story of Zamperini’s survival and redemption in her book entitled Unbroken. (thanks for the recommendation Dave Hileman)
About seventy years ago, the world believed that Louis Zamperini was dead. This past Wednesday (July 2, 2014) I was shocked to learn that Louis Zamperini had actually died at the age of 97 – what a survivor.
I love how Gary Sinise summarized the book in an interview. He said, “During the war, he gets shot down over the Pacific Ocean and spends 47 days adrift. He then ends up in a Japanese prison camp for two years, where the most evil commandant regularly beats and tortures him. When Zamperini finally gets home, all he wants is revenge. But he ends up learning to forgive. His courage to survive such oppression, and then to learn to move on with his life, is jaw-dropping. When I read about people of great character like this, I am inspired to stay true to my own values, give back to the world, and be thankful for the freedoms we all take for granted.”
This coming December, Angelia Jolie will retell the story of Zamperini with a movie she has directed also entitled Unbroken. I can’t wait to see this one. Below is the most recent movie trailer available for the move.
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