"Unbroken" is the most powerful book I have read in a long time, and warrants the attention of every American. The story of Louis Zamperini, as told by Hillenbrand, is as moving and poignant a story as you will ever encounter. The book is an incredible saga of exceptional individuals... America's "Greatest Generation", to whom we all owe so much.
For those of you, like myself, whose fathers, uncles, or aunts, served in the Armed Forces during World War II, the book will weave its magic through your emotions, fill your heart with appreciation, and release some feelings you may not expect. Louis Zamperini's story is one every American should know. It is a tribute to the human spirit, and to those who gave so much.
- Chuck Richardson (CBR), Columbus, Ohio
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CBS produced a great documentary on Louis for the '98 Nagano Olympics, which the producer and Bob Simon tracked down Watanabe
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Devil at My Heels: A WW II Hero's Epic Saga of Torment, Survival, and Forgiveness by Louis Zamperini, David Rensin
Hardcover: 292 pages
Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (January 21, 2003)
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1/4/2010 - Francis Lawrence In Talks to Direct Louis Zamperini Movie [ Ссылка ]
11/12/2010 - The Defiant Ones
In her new book, the author of 'Seabiscuit' turns to the unimaginable ordeal of an Olympic athlete and WW II hero. Because of her own debilitating illness, they struck a special bond. [ Ссылка ]
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Louie (1917- ) is the son of Italian immigrants Anthony and Louise Zamperini. The family moved in the 1920s from Olean, New York to Torrance, California, where his father taught him to box because he was being bullied, mostly so, for not being able to speak English -- he excelled in fighting bullies thereafter. His brother got him involved in the school track team. In 1934 Louis -- known as the Torrance Tornado -- set a world interscholastic record in the mile, clocking in at 4 minutes and 21.2 seconds. That record lasted until broken by Dennis Hansen in 1959. That record helped Louis win a scholarship to the University of Southern California, and a place on the 1936 U.S. team for the 1936 Olympics in Germany -- athough he did not win any metals, Hilter met him afterwards in recognition of his exceptional speed during the last leg of a relay race.
Zamperini enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in September 1941, being commissioned a second lieutenant the following August.
Zamperini was held (1943 until the end of WWII, 1945) in a Japanese Navy camp for captives not labeled as Prisoners of War at Ofuna. Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington was held at the same camp and in Boyington's book, Baa Baa Black Sheep he discusses Zamperini and the Italian recipes he would write to keep the prisoners minds off of the food and conditions.
2/19/1998 - Former Track Star, POW, Doesn't Get Closure at 81 in His Return to Japan [ Ссылка ]
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