As I was reading this, I was wishing that the history books I'd had to read for school had been as well-written and interesting as this one. And lo, Laura Hillenbrand has adapted this important story for younger readers.

The plight of Pacific POWs during WWII was compelling and heartbreaking. It is astonishing that anyone could survive such an ordeal. I was impressed with the comprehensive information Hillenbrand was able to convey in such a readable, memorable format. She reminds us of how technologically different the world was during this dark time, how different and many the challenges were.

At the time, the lack of disseminated information kept others ignorant of what was happening to these soldiers, until much later. The statistics about the condition and subsequent welfare of these men are truly horrifying.

Louis Zamperini led a life with so many unforgettable happenings. He traveled to Germany to run in the 1936 Olympics, and actually met Hitler before the war, before the world knew what was coming. He had this incredible high point, before his life was so traumatically interrupted. The trauma did not end when he came home, but again, Louie found his way.

I would recommend this to anyone.