Unbroken

I just finished the book, Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand.  It may be the best book I've ever read, certainly among the top five.  It is the story of Louis Zamparini, an Olympic runner who crashes in the South Pacific during World War II and is captured by the Japanese.  I won't give away any more of the plot, but suffice to say it is a story of unimaginable suffering, but told in a way that grabs hold of you and doesn't let go.  Hillenbrand knows exactly when you've had enough suffering and lightens the story at just the right moment.  She is an extraordinary writer.  I had no interest in her previous book, Secretariat, thinking, "Who wants to read a biography of a horse?"  The fact that it was a bestseller and made into a movie, suggests there's more to it.  Having read Unbroken, I can better appreciate its popularity.

Her research is extraordinary.  The book recounts day by day, even minute by minute accounts of events that took place 70 years ago and does so in ways that take your breath away.  Buy this book and set aside some time.  It's a long book, but you'll want to read it in one sitting.