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

by Laura Hillenbrand | HC | VeryGood
US $4.99
Condition:
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May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend ... Read moreabout condition
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Item specifics

Condition
Very Good
A book that does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. No obvious damage to the cover, with the dust jacket (if applicable) included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. May be very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover. Very minimal wear and tear. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitionsopens in a new window or tab
Seller Notes
“May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend ...
Binding
Hardcover
Weight
1.83 lbs
Product Group
Book
IsTextBook
No
ISBN
1400064163
Book Title
Unbroken : a World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Publisher
Random House Publishing Group
Item Length
9.6 in
Publication Year
2010
Format
Hardcover
Language
English
Illustrator
Yes
Item Height
1.4 in
Author
Laura Hillenbrand
Genre
Biography & Autobiography, History
Topic
Military / World War II, Military / General, Military / United States, Sports, Military
Item Weight
28.5 Oz
Item Width
6.4 in
Number of Pages
496 Pages

About this product

Product Identifiers

Publisher
Random House Publishing Group
ISBN-10
1400064163
ISBN-13
9781400064168
eBay Product ID (ePID)
97952871

Product Key Features

Book Title
Unbroken : a World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Number of Pages
496 Pages
Language
English
Publication Year
2010
Topic
Military / World War II, Military / General, Military / United States, Sports, Military
Illustrator
Yes
Genre
Biography & Autobiography, History
Author
Laura Hillenbrand
Format
Hardcover

Dimensions

Item Height
1.4 in
Item Weight
28.5 Oz
Item Length
9.6 in
Item Width
6.4 in

Additional Product Features

Intended Audience
Trade
LCCN
2010-017517
Reviews
Praise for Laura Hillenbrand'sSeabiscuit: An American Legend   "Captivating . . . a flawless trip, with the detail of good history, the blistering pace of Biscuit himself, and the charm of grand legend."-The New York Times Book Review   "Wonderful . . . astounding . . . almost unbearably suspenseful . . . Ideally, you wouldn't just find Laura Hillenbrand'sSeabiscuit: An American Legendin bookstores. It would be next to Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole or Lee Wiley CDs as well-anywhere you'd go to look for love songs."-Salon   "It is hugely refreshing when [a book] as fine as this one comes along. The research is meticulous, the writing elegant and concise, so that every page transports you back to the period. . . . This is a remarkable tale well told."-The Economist   "Engrossing . . . terrific . . . Hillenbrand not only ties . . . divergent personalities into a fast-moving narrative but also shows an extraordinary talent for describing a horse race so vividly that the reader feels like the rider."-Sports Illustrated   "A first-rate piece of storytelling . . . an absorbing book that stands as the model of sportswriting at its best." -Michiko Kakutani,The New York Times   "A galloping success . . . a fascinating portrait of an era and a wildly exciting, truth-is-stranger-than-fiction yarn . . . so vividly rendered, it's hard to believeSeabiscuitwas written by anyone who didn't live through the events it describes." -Time Out New York   "Rousing . . . brilliant and convincing . . . Hillenbrand doesn't just tell the story; she re-creates it. . . .Seabiscuitbelongs in the winner's circle."-Austin-American Statesman   From the Hardcover edition., Praise forUnbroken "A master class in narrative storytelling…Extraordinarily moving...A powerfully drawn survival epic."-The Wall Street Journal "Will you be able to put [Unbroken] down once you poke your nose into it? You will not. … No one delivers a play-by-play better than Laura Hillenbrand… No other author of narrative nonfiction chooses her subjects with greater discrimination or renders them with more discipline and commitment. If storytelling were an Olympic event, she'd medal for sure…"-Laura Miller,Salon "Unbrokenis wonderful twice over, for the tale it tells and for the way it's told. A better book than Seabiscuit, it manages maximum velocity with no loss of subtlety. [Hillenbrand has] a jeweler's eye for a detail that makes a story live."-Newsweek "Monumental… as mesmerizing as it is gut-wrenching. Hillenbrand's writing is so ferociously cinematic, the events she describes so incredible, you don't dare take your eyes off the page."-People "Ambitious and powerful… Hillenbrand is intelligent and restrained, and wise enough to let the story unfold for itself. Her research is thorough, her writing crystalline.Unbrokenis gripping in an almost cinematic way."The New York Times Book Review "Hillenbrand is a muscular, dynamic storyteller… But she happens also to have located a tale full of unforgettable characters, multihanky moments and wild turns…A bang up research job.-The New York Times "A one-in-a-billion story… seems designed to wrench from self-respecting critics all the blurby adjectives we normally try to avoidL It is amazing, unforgettable, gripping, harrowing, chilling, and inspiring. It sucked me in and swept me away. It kept me reading late into the night. I could not…(it really hurts me to type this)…put it…(must find the strength to resist)… down."-New York Magazine "A warning: after cracking openUnbrokenyou may find yourself dog tired the next day, having spent most of the night fending off sleep with coffee refills, eager to find out whether the story of Louis Zamperini, Olympic runner turned WWII POW, ends in redemption or despair..In Hillenbrand's [hands], it's nothing less than a marvel-a book worth losing sleep over."-The Washingtonian "Zamperini's story is certainly one of the most remarkable survival tales ever recorded. What happened after that is equally remarkable. Do yourself…a favor and buy the book."-Graydon Carter, Vanity Fair "Hillenbrand demonstrates a dazzling ability-oneSeabiscuitonly hinted at-to make the tale leap off the page…. Irresistible.-Elle "A tale of triumph and redemption…a clear-eyed tale of yet another underestimated creature who tried hard, ran fast, and miraculously beat the odds. … Astonishingly detailed.."--O magazine "Another epic of long odds and unbreakable spirit… Zamperini's story is almost dangerously rich, full of pulpy overheated detail, but Hillenbrand cools and tempers it with precise prose and disciplined eye for facts that ground Zamperini's incredible odyssey in reality."-TIME "An astonishing testament to the superhuman power of tenacity…" --Entertainment Weekly "Intense…you better hold onto the reins."-The Boston Globe "Riveting…so haunting and so beautifully written, those who fall under its spell will never again feel the same way about World War II and one of its previously unsung heroes."-Columbus Dispatch "Incredible… Zamperini's life is one of courage, heroism, humility and unflagging enduran, Praise forUnbroken "Unbrokenis too much book to hope for: a hellride of a story in the grip of the one writer who can handle it. Killing sharks with his bare hands...outracing Olympic runners...outwitting one of the most notorious fiends to stalk Japan's POW camps - when it comes to courage, charisma, and impossible adventure, few will ever match "the boy terror of Torrance," and few but the author ofSeabiscuitcould tell his tale with such humanity and dexterity. Laura Hillenbrand has given us a new national treasure." -Christopher McDougall, author ofBorn to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen. Praise for Laura Hillenbrand'sSeabiscuit: An American Legend "Captivating . . . a flawless trip, with the detail of good history, the blistering pace of Biscuit himself, and the charm of grand legend." -The New York Times Book Review "Wonderful . . . astounding . . . almost unbearably suspenseful . . . Ideally, you wouldn't just find Laura Hillenbrand'sSeabiscuit: An American Legendin bookstores. It would be next to Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole or Lee Wiley CDs as well-anywhere you'd go to look for love songs." -Salon "It is hugely refreshing when [a book] as fine as this one comes along. The research is meticulous, the writing elegant and concise, so that every page transports you back to the period. . . . This is a remarkable tale well told." -The Economist "Engrossing . . . terrific . . . Hillenbrand not only ties . . . divergent personalities into a fast-moving narrative but also shows an extraordinary talent for describing a horse race so vividly that the reader feels like the rider." -Sports Illustrated "A first-rate piece of storytelling . . . an absorbing book that stands as the model of sportswriting at its best." -Michiko Kakutani,The New York Times "A galloping success . . . a fascinating portrait of an era and a wildly exciting, truth-is-stranger-than-fiction yarn . . . so vividly rendered, it's hard to believeSeabiscuitwas written by anyone who didn't live through the events it describes." -Time Out New York "Rousing . . . brilliant and convincing . . . Hillenbrand doesn't just tell the story; she re-creates it. . . .Seabiscuitbelongs in the winner's circle." -Austin-American Statesman From the Hardcover edition., "Extraordinarily moving . . . a powerfully drawn survival epic." -- The Wall Street Journal   "[A] one-in-a-billion story . . . designed to wrench from self-respecting critics all the blurby adjectives we normally try to avoid: It is amazing, unforgettable, gripping, harrowing, chilling, and inspiring." --New York   "Staggering . . . mesmerizing . . . Hillenbrand''s writing is so ferociously cinematic, the events she describes so incredible, you don''t dare take your eyes off the page." -- People (four stars)   "A meticulous, soaring and beautifully written account of an extraordinary life." --The Washington Post   "Ambitious and powerful . . . a startling narrative and an inspirational book." --The New York Times Book Review   "Marvelous . . . Unbroken is wonderful twice over, for the tale it tells and for the way it''s told. . . . It manages maximum velocity with no loss of subtlety." -- Newsweek   "Moving and, yes, inspirational . . . [Laura] Hillenbrand''s unforgettable book . . . deserve[s] pride of place alongside the best works of literature that chart the complications and the hard-won triumphs of so-called ordinary Americans and their extraordinary time." --Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air   "Hillenbrand . . . tells [this] story with cool elegance but at a thrilling sprinter''s pace." -- Time   " Unbroken is too much book to hope for: a hellride of a story in the grip of the one writer who can handle it. . . . When it comes to courage, charisma, and impossible adventure, few will ever match ''the boy terror of Torrance,'' and few but the author of Seabiscuit could tell his tale with such humanity and dexterity. Hillenbrand has given us a new national treasure." --Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run   "Riveting . . . an exceptional portrait . . . So haunting and so beautifully written, those who fall under its spell will never again feel the same way about World War II and one of its previously unsung heroes." --The Columbus Dispatch   "Magnificent . . . incredible . . . [Hillenbrand] has crafted another masterful blend of sports, history and overcoming terrific odds; this is biography taken to the nth degree, a chronicle of a remarkable life lived through extraordinary times." --The Dallas Morning News   "No other author of narrative nonfiction chooses her subjects with greater discrimination or renders them with more discipline and commitment. If storytelling were an Olympic event, [Hillenbrand would] medal for sure." -- Salon "Hillenbrand is a muscular, dynamic storyteller. . . . She happens also to have located a tale full of unforgettable characters." -- The New York Times "Nothing less than a marvel--a book worth losing sleep over." -- The Washingtonian "Zamperini''s story is certainly one of the most remarkable survival tales ever recorded. What happened after that is equally remarkable." --Graydon Carter , Vanity Fair "Irresistible . . . Hillenbrand demonstrates a dazzling ability--one Seabiscuit only hinted at--to make the tale leap off the page." -- Elle "A tale of triumph and redemption . . . a clear-eyed tale of yet another underestimated creature who tried hard, ran fast, and miraculously beat the odds." -- O: The Oprah Magazine "An astonishing testament to the superhuman power of tenacity." -- Entertainment Weekly "Intense . . . You better hold onto the reins." -- The Boston Globe "Incredible . . . Zamperini''s life is one of courage, heroism, humility and unflagging endurance." -- St. Louis Post Dispatch "Hillenbrand has once again brought to life the true story of a forgotten hero, and reminded us how lucky we are to have her, one of our best writers of narrative history. You don''t have to be a sports fan or a war-history buff to devour this book--you just have to love great storytelling." --Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, "Extraordinarily moving . . . a powerfully drawn survival epic." -- The Wall Street Journal   "[A] one-in-a-billion story . . . designed to wrench from self-respecting critics all the blurby adjectives we normally try to avoid: It is amazing, unforgettable, gripping, harrowing, chilling, and inspiring." --New York   "Staggering . . . mesmerizing . . . Hillenbrand''s writing is so ferociously cinematic, the events she describes so incredible, you don''t dare take your eyes off the page." -- People "A meticulous, soaring and beautifully written account of an extraordinary life." --The Washington Post   "Ambitious and powerful . . . a startling narrative and an inspirational book." --The New York Times Book Review   "Marvelous . . . Unbroken is wonderful twice over, for the tale it tells and for the way it''s told. . . . It manages maximum velocity with no loss of subtlety." -- Newsweek   "Moving and, yes, inspirational . . . [Laura] Hillenbrand''s unforgettable book . . . deserve[s] pride of place alongside the best works of literature that chart the complications and the hard-won triumphs of so-called ordinary Americans and their extraordinary time." --Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air   "Hillenbrand . . . tells [this] story with cool elegance but at a thrilling sprinter''s pace." -- Time   " Unbroken is too much book to hope for: a hellride of a story in the grip of the one writer who can handle it. . . . When it comes to courage, charisma, and impossible adventure, few will ever match ''the boy terror of Torrance,'' and few but the author of Seabiscuit could tell his tale with such humanity and dexterity. Hillenbrand has given us a new national treasure." --Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run   "Riveting . . . an exceptional portrait . . . So haunting and so beautifully written, those who fall under its spell will never again feel the same way about World War II and one of its previously unsung heroes." --The Columbus Dispatch   "Magnificent . . . incredible . . . [Hillenbrand] has crafted another masterful blend of sports, history and overcoming terrific odds; this is biography taken to the nth degree, a chronicle of a remarkable life lived through extraordinary times." --The Dallas Morning News   "No other author of narrative nonfiction chooses her subjects with greater discrimination or renders them with more discipline and commitment. If storytelling were an Olympic event, [Hillenbrand would] medal for sure." -- Salon "A celebration of gargantuan fortitude . . . full of unforgettable characters, multi-hanky moments and wild turns . . . Hillenbrand is a muscular, dynamic storyteller." -- The New York Times "[A] masterfully told true story . . . nothing less than a marvel." -- Washingtonian "Zamperini''s story is certainly one of the most remarkable survival tales ever recorded. What happened after that is equally remarkable." --Graydon Carter , Vanity Fair "Irresistible . . . Hillenbrand demonstrates a dazzling ability--one Seabiscuit only hinted at--to make the tale leap off the page." -- Elle "A tale of triumph and redemption . . . astonishingly detailed." -- O: The Oprah Magazine "An astonishing testament to the superhuman power of tenacity." -- Entertainment Weekly "Intense . . . You better hold onto the reins." -- The Boston Globe "Incredible . . . Zamperini''s life is one of courage, heroism, humility and unflagging endurance." -- St. Louis Post Dispatch "Hillenbrand has once again brought to life the true story of a forgotten hero, and reminded us how lucky we are to have her, one of our best writers of narrative history. You don''t have to be a sports fan or a war-history buff to devour this book--you just have to love great storytelling." --Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Dewey Edition
23
Dewey Decimal
940.54/7252092 B
Synopsis
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The incredible true story of survival and salvation that is the basis for two major motion pictures: 2014's Unbroken and the upcoming Unbroken: Path to Redemption . 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. In her long-awaited new book, Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit . Telling an unforgettable story of a man's journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit. Praise for Unbroken "Extraordinarily moving . . . a powerfully drawn survival epic." -- The Wall Street Journal " A] one-in-a-billion story . . . designed to wrench from self-respecting critics all the blurby adjectives we normally try to avoid: It is amazing, unforgettable, gripping, harrowing, chilling, and inspiring." --New York "Staggering . . . mesmerizing . . . Hillenbrand's writing is so ferociously cinematic, the events she describes so incredible, you don't dare take your eyes off the page." -- People "A meticulous, soaring and beautifully written account of an extraordinary life." --The Washington Post "Ambitious and powerful . . . a startling narrative and an inspirational book." --The New York Times Book Review "Marvelous . . . Unbroken is wonderful twice over, for the tale it tells and for the way it's told. . . . It manages maximum velocity with no loss of subtlety." -- Newsweek "Moving and, yes, inspirational . . . Laura] Hillenbrand's unforgettable book . . . deserve s] pride of place alongside the best works of literature that chart the complications and the hard-won triumphs of so-called ordinary Americans and their extraordinary time." --Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air "Hillenbrand . . . tells this] story with cool elegance but at a thrilling sprinter's pace." -- Time " Unbroken is too much book to hope for: a hellride of a story in the grip of the one writer who can handle it." --Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The incredible true story of survival and salvation that is the basis for two major motion pictures: Unbroken and Unbroken: Path to Redemption . "Extraordinarily moving . . . a powerfully drawn survival epic."-- The Wall Street Journal Hailed as the top nonfiction book of the year by Time magazine - Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for biography 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. Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit . Telling an unforgettable story of a man's journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit., #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * The incredible true story of survival and salvation that is the basis for two major motion pictures: Unbroken and Unbroken: Path to Redemption . "Extraordinarily moving . . . a powerfully drawn survival epic."-- The Wall Street Journal Hailed as the top nonfiction book of the year by Time magazine * Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for biography 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. Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit . Telling an unforgettable story of a man's journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit.
LC Classification Number
D805.J3Z364 2010

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4.9
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  • Top favorable review

    Compelling, a wonderful story.

    Someone told me it was a great book another told me it was a bit, shall I say, long winded. So,I read it. It took a bit to get into the book itself. But within a few pages, I was hooked. I love history so this was just wonderful. This book covers detail that NO ONE would ever know or come up with unless he were there. I was sickened by the reality of what really happened (trying NOT to give anything away). I was so submerged in the life of Luis, that I could see what Laura was writing as if I were there.. I am astounded that he recalled so vividly the details of such horrific events. I am so thankful he did!! At times it was a bit wordy, and I understand needing to know the exact model of the aircraft. But a couple times I had to just graze over a page of B24 this and B that.. Like with ...

    Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-OwnedSold by: betterworldbooks

  • A book that is almost impossible to put down, well worth the money and time

    wow! It was hard to put this one down, even for eating and sleeping. The author wove so many historical facts into such a captivating biography of the Pacific war and the young men -- very young men, the "cream of the crop," so to speak -- that she brought them to life for us. The atrosities inflicted upon our young men, who at the time were just about 10 years older than I, were made so real by the author that it made me angry to know that humans would treat other humans so inhumanly. Mankind has come a long way in this respect, but we still have a way to go. Mrs. Hillenbrand, thanks for this tremendous read.

  • An intense retelling of a life of stratospheric peaks & deep,dark valleys.

    I purchased this book for my son's sophomore summer reading. After he'd finished it and said what a great book it was, I decided to check it out. My son was right! Laura Hillenbrand has written what may be the definitive account of life as a Japanese POW, thanks to the incredible recollections of an incredible man. Louie Zamperini's life certainly is one worthy of the motion picture this book has inspired. I look forward to its debut and the exposure that our country's greatest generation will get once it hits the masses. Thank you Laura for presenting Louie Zamperini's story in such a well written and easy read.

  • One of the top 10 books I've ever read. We should have dropped three.

    This should be mandatory reading for every high school student. An excellent read that is raw in it's detail, but utimately shows the character of a nation that no longer exist. We, as a society, have let this generation down and all they did was survive The Depression, save the world and then give us wealth beyond our imagination. In return we have forgotten how to work, how to collectively sacrifice as a nation, placated every individual and apologize to the very people that should prostrate themselves in front of the world and beg for forgivness 70+ years later. As a historian and retired military Officer I can personally attest through experience that the Japanese nation and people have displayed very little remorse to the individuals that were victims of their criminal war acts. In ...

  • Amazing true story of an athlete, hero and true man of God!

    I chose this book from ebay because I teach American history in high school. I had read the book on my Kindle but there are just some books you want to collect and share with friends and this was one of those. I was familiar with the author Laura Hillenbrand's excellent writing style in SEABISCUIT. She did not let me down. This story of the life of Louis Zamperini was well written and difficult to even put down for a break while reading. His amazing story came to life in Hillenbrand's prose. I have kept my copy circulating among family, friends and other teachers. My students were so enchanted that we watched several youtube videos to learn more about Zamperini. This is an excellent Christian story for those of us looking for a hero!