Book Review: Unbroken

I finally finished this book selected for my book club last month:  "Unbroken:  A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand.

Let me preface this post by saying the following...

First, I wish I had shown more interest in/registered for more/paid attention better in geography and history classes when I was in high school and college. 

Second, every time I read a piece of historical fiction or non-fiction I am reminded of how little I actually know about the world in which I live and the events that have shaped this world.  I shamefully admit that I am very ignorant about a lot of things from my country's history, not to mention what has happened in the rest of the world.

Now that I've taken the first step, admit your ignorance, I am ready to move forward and state that I really enjoyed this book.  I felt a range of emotions as I read, and I learned a lot about World War II and the people who lived it. 

Laura Hillenbrand writes a beautiful and, at times, painful account of Louie Zamperini, "a juvenile delinquent-turned-Olympic runner-turned-Army hero (Amazon.com review)."  Louie's plane went down into the Pacific ocean during a routine search mission in 1943, and most of the crew were lost at sea with the wreckage.  This is the story of Louie's survival and what he endured during his years as a Japanese POW.  It is also the story of how he survived after coming home from the war, how he fought his personal demons, and how he chose to live the life that he fought for during the war.

I was shocked to learn how many men were held as POW's by the Japanese during WW2, and deeply disturbed by how they were treated.  Or, more importantly, MIStreated by the Japanese guards.  I know, I should have paid more attention during those history classes!

But I felt some retribution as I discussed this book with other women in my book club when I learned that all of them were just as clueless as me on the topic.  I, as some of the other women confessed, knew Hitler was the big bad guy during WW2.  I have been to three concentration camps, or what remains of them, in Europe, and to the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC.  I have read several books over the years of Holocaust survivors documenting the horrors they experienced and witnessed during the war.  I thought I knew a lot about WW2.  But I thought the extent of Japan's involvement was that they bombed Pearl Harbor.  That they somehow snuck into Hitler's war and attacked the U.S. so they could get some press.   I just didn't get it - what was the connection between Japan and Hitler?  And Italy?  What was up with Italy?  All these years and I thought Italy was part of the ALLIED forces when they were actually the ENEMY!  I must have been sleeping through that portion of history class because I honestly had no idea how Italy was involved.

Before you criticize me, please see my statements at the beginning of this post.  I know that my lack of understanding is shameful!

Now I have a better understanding of WW2, of every country's involvement and what they stood to gain (in their opinion) or lose, and what effect it had on ALL parts of the world.  And I am interested in learning more about this important piece of our history so that I will no longer feel "clueless" as I keep moving forward in my life. 

Thank you, Laura Hillenbrand, for writing a book that was interesting, engaging, and educational for me.  And thank you to Louie Zamperini and other WW2 vets for your service to our country.  We owe you all a debt of gratitude for refusing to be "Broken" by powers beyond your control, and for living to tell all of us about it!