This is a life-is-stranger-than-fiction book from the same author who wrote Seabiscuit. In this World War II era biography, Hillenbrand explores the life of Louis Zamperini. Once the trouble-maker of his neighborhood, in high school Zamperini focuses his talents on running, even making the Olympics for the 5000 meter race in 1936. His experience in Berlin was an adventure for the 19 year old, with memories of eating to excess, meeting people from around the world, and placing 8th in his race. But there were […]
The Book Kicks the Movie’s Ass (or the winner of the Hillenbrand/Jolie death match is . . . )
I fell in love with Louis Zamperini when I saw a Sunday Morning piece on him back when Laura Hillenbrand’s book first came out. Not surprisingly, I found the best part of Angelina Jolie’s film adaptation was the end scene—showing a clip of the real “Louie” running through the streets of Tokyo with the Olympic Torch—a feat amazing both because of his age (80-something) and because of what he had gone through at the hands of the Japanese. I found the movie frustrating because I […]
Unbroken
“If I knew I had to go through those experiences again,” [Louie] finally said, “I’d kill myself.” Unless you dont have a TV or Internet access, you’ve heard of Angelina Jolie’s third directorial project ‘Unbroken.’ I had heard of Lauren Hillenbrand’s biography when it may some rounds on Best Seller lists but hadn’t looked into it until La Jolie brought it to my attention. For all my historical readings (both in school and for fun) I’ve never learned much about our fight in the Pacific. […]