It is a story about Louis Zamperini - a troubled child, an Olympic athlete, a bombardier (aimed the bombs for bomber planes for the US) in the Pacific during WWII and most importantly, a child of the one true God.
The man's story is incredible. His childhood was crazy. His teen and college years were amazing as he became an incredible track athlete (miler) and eventual Olympic athlete in the '36 Olympics. He would have probably medaled in the '40 and '44 Olympics had they had them in '40 and had it not been for WWII.
During WWII, his plane was shot down over the Pacific. He ended up floating around with 2 other men in tiny little rafts with nothing to eat or drink, fending off sharks, and scraping by on rainfall and the occasional bird / fish they managed to catch for some 47 days. 1 of the men starved to death.
After that ordeal, they were rescued...by the Japanese. Can you imagine that? You're on the brink of starvation and about to lose your mind only to end up in a horrific POW camp. Not only did he continue to be on the brink of starvation, now he had to go through beatings, humiliation, disease and horrific mind games for YEARS! It just kept getting worse for the poor man.
After the war ended, the poor guy was an emotional wreck. Haunted by nightmares of torture and mental abuse, there was no escape from the captivity of his mind. Until by the grace of God, he was freed from sin and death and was adopted into the loving, protecting arms of our great God and Father, the creator and sustainer of the universe. It was only through God's wonderful gospel did Louis Zamperini become freed from the horrific memories of WWII through the ministry of Billy Graham of all people!
This was quite the captivating and inspiring story. Zamperini's unrelenting human spirit was only eclipsed by the marvelous grace of God at the end of the book. It gave me even more appreciation for the sacrifice and service of the men and women who protected our nation from evil and injustice during WWII. This book was a great read.
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