It took me a little too long to get through this book. I was enlightened of some of the worst horrors of human behavior in this book and classify it aIt took me a little too long to get through this book. I was enlightened of some of the worst horrors of human behavior in this book and classify it as anti-Japanese as you can get. I was aware of Japanese atrocities during World War II. Being Australian, this is something which is drummed into you from an early age, specifically the Prisoners of War in Changi. I wasn't aware of the Japanese army's inhumane mass slaughter of civilians in China, though. The rape of women and young girls as well as live dismemberment, a lot of these horrors beyond the imagination of horror and shock film directors and the all too feeling of 'this really happened' remains in the back of your mind and soul while reading. I think it's important to understand that these horrors occurred and still occur in other places around the world to this day, as much as we shield our eyes and block out the sounds from distant media, either through our distorted media distributors or our lack of care for the outside world as a whole. It's still hard to believe how humans remain nothing more than savage beasts. Perhaps it is I who places civilians on a pedestal? Perhaps this barbaric behaviour is all humanity is at it's purest core, anyway? ...more
Incredible page turner! This story has MOVIE written all over it and Laura has a great skill in sharing a life story of an amazing Man. Louis ZamperinIncredible page turner! This story has MOVIE written all over it and Laura has a great skill in sharing a life story of an amazing Man. Louis Zamperini lived a life that is beyond most people's imagination and survived some of the most horrific scenes and abuse when held captive in Japanese prisoner of War camps. I really had to take a deep breath and put the book down at times, just to let the story sink in. The worst part is knowing how shallow my own life is compared to Louis's, who is still kicking in 2012. This man puts most of us to shame, by what he has endured and achieved. ...more
After visiting Japan and Hiroshima in particular I just had to read up more about it all. Nuclear power and weapons have scared and awed me since I waAfter visiting Japan and Hiroshima in particular I just had to read up more about it all. Nuclear power and weapons have scared and awed me since I was a small child and visiting Hiroshima chilled me to the very core. The book caters for a leftist swing at American politics and decision making as well as creating a mind boggling impression of the Japanese psyche during the final days of the Pacific War. This is a great book for gaining a perspective on WHY, and towards the end of the book you will gain an understanding as to why, rather than whether it was morally corrupt or anti-human. ...more