During a low-level search mission, his plane crashed and he faced the ardor of life adrift the Pacific for 47 days. Like a stanza taken from Rime of the Ancient Mariner, he and his pilot endured little to eat or drink. Inevitably, an albatross lit on their craft and was killed to bring needed nourishment. According to an old sailors' tale, killing an Albatross disrespected the souls of those lost at sea and was certain to bring bad luck. Zamperini had no idea...
After being fished from the waters by the Japanese in Marshall Islands, Zamperini began a two year trek where he suffered and was tortured by the Japanese in their POW camps. Unbroken captures his resolve and resiliency, the fodder that spurs men toward survival. Even the intemperance of a guard whose life mission was to break Zamperini fails...Zamperini emerges hurt but unbroken.
Returning to the states, Zamperini has a difficult adjustment to life. Nothing will eradicate his nightmares of his tormentors, until Fate places his life on the upswing. If you are in the mood for an excellent book, Unbroken is for you. It is well written, provocative, and moving - you will want to read it slowly to savor every