Website design By BotEap.comI just finished the book Intact by Laura Hillenbrand. I just finished this one last night and I was so moved by it that I thought it would be perfect to review right now. It’s a little over 400 pages long, but it’s excellent, easy to read, and I finished it in about 4 days. If you’re not familiar with the book, it’s about a WWII Army Air Corps officer who is captured by the Japanese and taken as a prisoner of war.

Website design By BotEap.comIntact begins with the childhood and growing up life of Louie Zamperini. He became an Olympian by running the 5,000 meters, but he was expected to break the 4-minute mile long before Roger Bannister. However, World War II came along and the chance of him at the Olympics was lost when they were cancelled. He then entered the war as a bomber, flying a monster plane at the time and dropping the bombs on his targets. Louie had several successful missions before being asked to perform a rescue mission in a plane his crew was unfamiliar with. Two engines went out and crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Although he was entangled in a cable and lost consciousness, he was still able to float to the top. He and two others floated for 47 days in the Pacific to a small cluster of Japanese-occupied islands.

Website design By BotEap.comUnbroken then transitions to his time as a prisoner of war, and ultimately to his freedom when the Japanese admit defeat. However, the story doesn’t end there, as he has trouble dealing with his past and has some demons that he has to fight. I don’t want to give away all the details here and spoil the book, so go get it now!

Website design By BotEap.comUnbroken is a slightly different book than what I have reviewed before. Yet it still delivers a great message of survival, resilience, and redemption—all leadership qualities, too.

Website design By BotEap.comTwo interesting parts of the book to share:

Website design By BotEap.comHer brother Pete sent her an envelope while she was at the Olympics. Inside were two playing cards, an ace and a joker. On the joker, Pete had written: “Which are you going to be, the joker, which is another word for horse’s bottom, or the TOPS: ace of spades. Best of the bunch. Highest of the deck, your choice.” . On the ace he had written: “We are going to see you as the best of the deck. If the joker doesn’t appeal to you, throw it away and keep this one for good luck. Pete”.

Website design By BotEap.comWhich do you want to be? Are you leading like a joker or the ace of spades? If your goal is the ace of spades, how are you going to get there? Another story is while he is in the Olympic race itself. He is not well and he is not feeling well. So this thought comes to mind.

Website design By BotEap.comA lifetime of glory is worth more than a moment of pain. Louie thought, let it go. It’s not always easy to let go of challenges, overcome them, and seek glory. However, is it’s worth it. What are you struggling with that you need to let go of?

Website design By BotEap.comWe are very blessed to live in this beautiful country and at this time. We were put on earth to do great things. Stand tall and get over whatever is troubling you. In short, become INTACT.