Unbroken: A World War 2 Story Of Survival, Resilience And Redemption

[anthony]

Ok... done. Unbelievable read, this one. I'm even more amazed that Louie is one of the handful of remaining WWII veterans alive throughout the world today. Maybe that says a whole lot about his internal being!

I'm just astounded at such people. His passion and willingness endured, his struggle with PTSD (and its prior names back then) to overcome his demons and help kids in trouble as a life ambition. He found God in his own way, though doesn't preach it to others. Instead he imparts the knowledge on how he got past the anger to help others. He found the way that worked for him.

The resilience of Louie, I'm honestly baffled and in awe of such a person. True greatness is all I can say about such a person.

Whoever chose that one for reading... massive thumbs up.

 

[KP the nut]

Anthony, I have skipped your last 2 posts as I want to read it myself.

I had some doubts myself..

I had so many doubts as this book is so far away from what I normally read. I wouldn't even look at this section in a book shop.

Once I started this though, I can hardly put it down although I am far from finishing it.

Once I look at a few things here, I'm gone to the lounge for the day to read, read, read.

Same here.

 

[Loloma]

Anthony, I have skipped all of your post, except the first one.

Downloaded the kindle book last night. I'm a bit behind as having trouble with my right hand. Have had 3 injections so far and a couple of fingers have locked up.

Will start reading tonight. All the best.

 

[KP the nut]

Ouch Loloma, that sounds painful - I hope the injections help.

I hope you find the book as enthralling as I am.

 

[KP the nut]

I'm still reading. I've just reached Part 3 when they are now heading to the POW camp.

I was almost in tears reading about their experiences in the life raft. I am amazed at their strength.

 

[KP the nut]

Doh, I was actually starting Part 4.

I'm finding this section hard going. Just the beatings and conditions are difficult for me to read. I will keep going though, I must just read, how did these men survive?

I love that their families refuse to accept that they are dead and try and keep their belief alive that they will return home.

 

[KP the nut]

I started reading again after taking a small break.

Then came Shithead and his violation of Gaga - where is the vomit icon. I had to stop reading again, maybe I'm being a pathetic, weak girlie, but as well written I think this book is. It is hard reading.

I WILL carry on with it though, I can be bloody tenacious :bookworm:.

 

[KP the nut]

This is such a hard read for me. There have been so many moments when I just want to give up, but something is making me dig deep and continue the story.

I found it so hard when it became known, that the Japanese had the kill all directive. POWs, put into underground trenches, doused in fuel and set alight. This combines to of my major stressors, confined spaces and fire. I had to stop and do some breathing and grounding.

I kept going until Louie went to the new camp and found his tormentor 'Bird' once again in charge. Again I had to stop.

I must be some kind of masochist because I won't give in. I kept going reading more and more about how Bird tormented Louie. I mean, how can that man still be alive.

The A bombs have been dropped and I wait to see what happens next.

 

[KP the nut]

I feel so proud that I read until I finished the book.

It is unsurprising so many men had PTSD from their experiences and turned to alcohol to try and hide. I was a little sceptical that the flashbacks and nightmares ended so abruptly after a 'Billy Graham experience', but each to his own.

Maybe forgiving is the answer, I don't know if I would ever forgive something like his experience.

I'm pleased I stuck with it, but I don't think I'll read it again.

 

[anthony]

Flashbacks and nightmares absolutely can end instantly, if you change your minds state. IMHO, a good majority of people still confuse a recollection with a flashback. Even one that starts and ends over the crash... they're recollections. Flashbacks are rare... yet many toss the term around like you might smarties.

 

[Shellbell]

Yes I agree Anthony and that's often where mis-diagnosis of PTSD comes I suspect.

 

[shell]

Finally read this book which after recommending it for selection is really slack of me, but I guess I wasn't in the mindset for reading until lately. Couldn't stop reading it once I started, it was really sad but inspiring, really shows we can all over come adversity with the right mindset.

It really upset me to the point of tears that he used religion to over come his issues, for me that would never be an option, but I guess it really helps some people to believe that there is something else to fall back on when your life becomes unworkable. It seems strange that that would upset me so much, when there were other more moving things in the book.

So many times I read that spirituality helps people overcome adversity and while that is not necessarily religion, I couldn't even imagine becoming that type of person.

A book worth reading, not my usual style, but sometimes it's good to try new things.