I think it must be a wonderful/very powerful story. I've heard much about it but it is not something I personally can read or see.

tina

Admittedly, I don't know much about WWII (or remember much from what I was taught in school!) I remember mostly what I learned about the horrors of Nazi concentration camps, but I guess I never learned as much about the POW camps where military personnel were held captive. My late uncle was a POW in the Korean war, and although he never cared to speak much of his experiences as a POW, he readily identified himself as a camp survivor and was incredibly proud to have simply endured. I wish he were here now, so that I could try to get him to talk about what he went through. I can only imagine all of the stories that those men had to tell ...

I am in the middle of it too on my Nook. I left the charger at work, and the battery ran out, and I'm not back to work till Wed. We had a long road trip this past weekend and I was planning on finishing it, till I realized the charger I had was for my phone and not the nook! Grrr- sign of the times (e-reader) lol

And no, I would normally have never been interested in it. But so many FB friends had posted what a great read it was, I was so intrigued so I bought it. I must admit, it was really slow to start, but now I'm really into it.

Yes, and LOVED it! Have passed it on to a few others who have loved it as well.

Yes, I read it and thought it was very good. The story is heavily researched and factual, and I think it's probably not embellished. The author, Laura Hillenbrand, wrote another book, "Seabiscuit:An American Legend" that is terrific. She seems fascinated by anyone/anything facing long odds and struggles, possibly because of her personal struggles. Or so I speculate.

I read it for my book club. Also loved it and also was surprised that I did; it isn't a book I would have picked up on my own. But like you Auntjen, the story was so riveting. The history too, I didn't know much about the Pacific war and the cruelties of the Asian theater.

I now have it on reserve at the library, thank you!

I will read anything by Laura Hillenbrand! She is a marvelous writer who is able to transport you right into the middle of her books. Edge of the seat, can't sit back, finished that book in one day.

I have it on my iPad, but haven't read it yet. We gave a copy to my dad for his birthday, and he and my mom both loved it.

Because of all the recommendations here at GW, Unbroken was the first book I downloaded into my new KindleFire that DH gave me for Christmas. IâÂÂve been too busy to read much, and have just started the book.. ItâÂÂs still going pretty slow at this point, but I know IâÂÂll get drawn in further into the story. My dad was in WWII in the Pacific on an aircraft carrier, but other than telling us about his position as a tailgunner on the SB2c Helldiver, he NEVER spoke about the war - too many bad memories, I believe.

How funny you ask this, because I just finished it ten days ago!

A librarian friend has been insisting I read Unbroken, so I suggested it to my book club. We all agreed that...

1. It was fascinating.
2. We had no idea how cruel and inhumane the Japanese POW camps were.

This led to a long discussion about PC dogma and what is being taught in our schools. The Japanese are now our allies, so it isn't PC to teach about the camps. However, every school kid knows the US is ashamed of the internment camps we had for our Japanese.

Another thing that burns me is that kids have no idea the horrors of communism, or the monster that Stalin was.

But to get back on track, yes, Unbroken is a terrific book. I was afraid that it would be uncomfortable to read, but I wasn't at all. Hillenbrand is an excellent writer.

Nicole

Nicole, glad you posted your thoughts. I have heard it is a wonderful book, but worried about the torture, etc. That is something I just can't stomach. How bad is it detailed in the book? I do know some about the camps as my husband is a big military history fan. He would probably enjoy this book. I may have to try reading it.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts! I'm so glad that others have enjoyed/are enjoying this book as much as I am. (I feel a bit torn say that I "enjoy" a book that details so many horrible events, but you know what I mean - I hope!)

Tina, the numerous incidents of torture in the book are not detailed in a grotesquely graphic manner. You really get the feel for how relentless the physical punishment was, but it's not related in a sensationalized, turn-your-stomach kind of way. (I did tear up a bit reading about what happened to an animal mascot in the camp, but that's something I won't go into here ...)

I loved it and I had no idea about Japanese policies regarding prisoners of war. I'm also so impressed with the author, who battles chronic fatigue herself. I've linked to her story about it.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Sudden Illness -- How My Life Changed