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

[AmateisGal]

After reading her story, it makes me realize that, as a writer, I have NO EXCUSE not to sit down and get the work done.

 

[BuzzTheTower]

Louie's story is truly amazing. I ran into his book, re-released in 2002 (written in 1957) in a book store while browsing for WWII aviation stuff. I read a little from it, and had to buy it. I looked for him on Google, and found that he was still alive, with an address and phone number. I called and talked with him for a bit, which was so fun. I found about 300 photographs from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and he was in one of the photos. I sent them to him, and found out about the book being written by Laura. I found her email, and we talked a little bit, and this was back in 2004. She got the photos I found. I'm very lucky to be listed in the Acknowledgments section of Unbroken. Laura is fascinating, and for someone living as tough a situation as she does, she always answered my emails with a happy attitude, and fast. She and Louie are best friends.

His story is almost insane. I can't imagine doing any of the things he did, and surviving. He is one tough fellow, and very humble about it. When he got the photos I sent him, he commented that most of his friends that he saw in the photos are now dead - a common problem with people who live a very long life.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It'll knock your socks off.

 

[bradford]

I heard about this book at church a few months ago and I went out and bought it and read it the next day. What an amazing story. Apparently its being made into a movie - can't wait!

 

[AmateisGal]

Louie's story is truly amazing. I ran into his book, re-released in 2002 (written in 1957) in a book store while browsing for WWII aviation stuff. I read a little from it, and had to buy it. I looked for him on Google, and found that he was still alive, with an address and phone number. I called and talked with him for a bit, which was so fun. I found about 300 photographs from the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and he was in one of the photos. I sent them to him, and found out about the book being written by Laura. I found her email, and we talked a little bit, and this was back in 2004. She got the photos I found. I'm very lucky to be listed in the Acknowledgments section of Unbroken. Laura is fascinating, and for someone living as tough a situation as she does, she always answered my emails with a happy attitude, and fast. She and Louie are best friends.

His story is almost insane. I can't imagine doing any of the things he did, and surviving. He is one tough fellow, and very humble about it. When he got the photos I sent him, he commented that most of his friends that he saw in the photos are now dead - a common problem with people who live a very long life.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It'll knock your socks off.

WOW. Awesome, Buzz! How cool that you got to talk to Louie AND Laura. They're both heroes in my book.

 

[Feraud]

Apparently its being made into a movie - can't wait!

I have a hard time believing any filmmaker will be brave enough to come close to depicting the horrors inflicted on the Pacific war POWs.
The Money will dictate a watered down version.

 

[AmateisGal]

I have a hard time believing any filmmaker will be brave enough to come close to depicting the horrors inflicted on the Pacific war POWs.
The Money will dictate a watered down version.

I agree. I was saddened that they were going to make this into a movie simply because it is SUCH a good story and Hollywood will never be able to faithfully recreate it.

HOWEVER, that being said, I think Christian Bale might be able to play Louie. He has a good track record of being able to make himself physically fit his roles.

 

[Feraud]

..not to mention physically un-fit, if you've seen Christian Bale's shocking weight loss in The Machinist!

 

[Jeff M]

Finally found Draggan Mihailovich's story on Zampereni and his interview of "The Bird".

http://www.awesomestories.com/assets/louis-zamperini-4

Something still chilling about him in old age.
His warning right eye droop still there after all those decades. You can just see something "snap".
I wonder how he treated his family.......if he was able to suppress his sadistic drive after being deprived of his supply of helpless victims.

 

[ButteMT61]

"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand...

Just a blurb to say I got this book two days ago and I can't put it down. I'm a slow reader - my wife would have finished this by now, but for me, it's a slower pace.
It is fantastic, and seems to have been researched well.
A highly enjoyable read. Interested if others have or are reading it?

 

[Flipped Lid]

This is near the top of my "books to read" list. I have an acquaintance who had an opportunity to hear Louis Zamperini speak at his church a few months ago and recommends the book highly. I read "Seabiscuit" by Hillenbrand and thought it was very well done. I look forward to reading "Unbroken".

 

[scotrace]

I've merged three threads so you can get some more thoughts on this excellent book. It is also in the works to be filmed.

 

[ButteMT61]

This is near the top of my "books to read" list. I have an acquaintance who had an opportunity to hear Louis Zamperini speak at his church a few months ago and recommends the book highly. I read "Seabiscuit" by Hillenbrand and thought it was very well done. I look forward to reading "Unbroken".

Wow - that's amazing! I LOVE this book. Get it

 

[ButteMT61]

I've merged three threads so you can get some more thoughts on this excellent book. It is also in the works to be filmed.

Thanks - and sorry. I didn't see this thread, so I'm actually thrilled that it had already been discussed and is also liked by others!

 

[ButteMT61]

I have a hard time believing any filmmaker will be brave enough to come close to depicting the horrors inflicted on the Pacific war POWs.
The Money will dictate a watered down version.

Well, if "Water For Elephants" is an example, this movie should NOT be made!
WFE was a great book, the movie, blah. It was a raw story, and it got Hollywoodized which is a shame. This movie would be watered down and awful. Too bad.

 

[AmateisGal]

I really wish they wouldn't make it into a movie...some stories should just be told in book-form. They're more powerful and authentic that way.

 

[scotrace]

Louie Zamperini has passed away, aged 97, in his sleep.