Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

     Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, is the amazing biography of Olympic athlete and World War II veteran, Louis Zamperini.  Though this book chronicles Louie's life story, it reads like fiction.  The people who come into Louie's life and the events that unfold are realistic and gripping.
     As a young boy, Louie was always on the lookout for an adventure or challenge.  He was known around town as a troublemaker because he was often seen stealing, fighting, or pulling elaborate pranks.  Unlike Louie, his older brother Pete was popular and well-liked.  He was a good student and an excellent athlete.  In fact, it was because of Pete that Louie finally found the right path in life.
     When Louie was in high school, Pete convinced the principal to allow Louie to join the track team (in spite of all of his behavior problems).  With lots of pressure from Pete, Louie trained hard.  He would run for miles and train for hours.  Soon, Louie became one of the best young runners in the country.  In fact, he was the fastest high school miler in American history!  Louie and Pete set a goal for the Olympics.  Although Louie's times were amazing, they weren't quite fast enough to make the Olympic team.  Louie was devastated, but Pete had an idea.  Louie could compete in the Olympic 5000.  However, in order to do so, Louie would have only weeks to qualify for the Olympic trials.  In spite of everything, Louie was able to qualify for the trials and made the 1936 Olympic team!
     At the Olympics in Berlin, it was clear that war was looming.  Though Germany tried to put on a nice face for the Olympic crowd, it was clear that Hitler and the Nazis were stirring up trouble.  Soon, World War II erupted, and Louie joined the American Army Air Forces as a bombardier.
     Louie and his crew mates flew many dangerous missions that nearly resulted in death.  Life as a Army Airman in World War II wasn't an easy one.  The planes were large, easy targets for the Japanese.  They were also quite unreliable.  Louie's first plane was destroyed in a Japanese attack, and his second plane crashed in the middle of the ocean.  After his plane crashed, Louie and his closest friend, Phil, spent over forty days on a life raft at sea with no food or water to speak of.  They lived off of rain water and whatever fish or birds they could capture. After losing nearly half their body weight and being shot at by Japanese planes, the men were finally captured by the enemy and taken to a Japanese POW camp where they continued to endure inhumane treatment.
      Louie's story is one of survival, determination, and the will to live.  It is an amazing story that I would highly recommend. . . especially if you are looking for an outstanding nonfiction read!