First published 2014
Louis Zamperini survived a plane crash, weeks adrift in shark-infested Pacific waters, and brutal captivity in a Japanese prisoner of war camp during World War II. These experiences, chronicled in his autobiography Devil at My Heels and Laura Hillenbrand's bestselling Unbroken, made him a national hero. But Zamperini's adventures didn't end with the war. He crashed weddings, confronted Frank Sinatra in a fight, and got tangled up in a bank robbery. Until his death at 97, he remained sharp, healthy, and fully engaged with life. In this book, Zamperini shares previously untold stories and reveals the principles that sustained him through every hardship. He explains how his faith, relentlessly positive outlook, drive for achievement, and love of mischief helped him transform obstacles into opportunities. Rather than surrender to misfortune, he chose to view each setback as a challenge to overcome. His approach offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking to live with purpose and resilience.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, adventure, autobiography, biography-memoir, 21st-century, inspirational
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: against-all-odds, inspirational
Setting: Pacific Ocean, Japan
Period: World War II
238 pages · Hardcover · Dey Street Books