Laura Hillenbrand's bestselling book details the life of Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic runner who even shook hands with Hitler at the Berlin Olympics. Shot down in the Pacific Ocean in 1943, Lt. Zamperini managed to survive on a life raft for 47 days only to be found by the Japanese. Lt. Zamperini's resilience will amaze you as he struggles to survive life as a Japanese prisoner for almost three years. Hillenbrand's superb writing brings Zamperini's tale to life while also helping you understand the historical context. A fascinating read for anyone who loves to read WWII history and memoirs.