Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

What will you learn about history?
This book is a biography and contains information about life in California in the 1930's, the 1936 Olympics, and an extensive amount of information about World War II.  Zamperini was part of a flight crew so there is a lot of description of the planes and the missions they flew.  There is also insight into the Pacific War.  And his accounts of being a POW are priceless.
Why should you read it?
As a historian I thought I had a lot of knowledge about the Pacific arena of World War II but in telling Louis Zamperini's story, Laura Hillenbrand was able to give me a sense of what it was like to be one of the many heroes who brought the war to an end. I was impressed with the amount of research that was clearly done and the way in which she weaved historical information about the story of an outstanding man. History buffs will enjoy the detail about society before and during the war. Action lovers will like the way in which the author brings several aeral battles and other fights to life. Athletes and coaches will appreciate the insight given into the mind of a champion. Zamperini's story is a character study in strength of character, determination, all of the other attributes that created not just a champion athlete but also a POW survivor in conditions that were some of the worst in history.