On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane's bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant's name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he'd been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.
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On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane's bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.
The lieutenant's name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he'd been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.
It's amazing how quickly you've prejudged a book before reading it. It's not preachy at all. In fact, he's not trying to convert the reader; he's just explaining how his conversion saved him from the incredible hatred he developed and that he would have self-destructed if he had not been able to forgive. It's a great book, even for an agnostic.
This is absolutely my most favorite book, I take so much inspiration from it of what a human is capable of over coming and I genuinely find myself thinking about this book during hard times.
Despite great reviews, I found this novel to be boring. Its interesting since I liked Boys in the boat a lot and thought would be similarly impressed with this. Tried to read it multiple times. Perhaps, its her style of writing or something else. However, I would say that given that majority of people do like this book, and its $2, probably worth getting it.
This is one of the best books I've read in the last few years and I read a lot. Truly the Greatest Generation and gives you the feel of what these Men went through. Very well written and grabs your attention from the start.
If I wanted something preachy I'd go to church. Fortunately, we do have choices in life, regardless if I "give it to God"
It's amazing how quickly you've prejudged a book before reading it. It's not preachy at all. In fact, he's not trying to convert the reader; he's just explaining how his conversion saved him from the incredible hatred he developed and that he would have self-destructed if he had not been able to forgive. It's a great book, even for an agnostic.
Thanks. Good deal. Perfect use of the no rush credits. After buying this book, I ran into another $2 deal, James Michener's Texas: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FO60AYG
Last edited by BoopSnoot September 27, 2024 at 10:45 AM.
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