UNBROKEN By Laura Hillenbrand ~ Book Review

When I originally bought Unbroken I had no idea what it was about. I supremely enjoyed Laura Hillenbrand's book Seabiscuit so I bought the book hoping I would enjoy it as much as I enjoyed her first book.

Unbroken showcases the life of Louis Zamperini. I'm ashamed to say I had no idea who Louis was, what his accomplishments were, or his story of survival before reading Unbroken. Unbroken is the type of survivor story that makes you think over and over again, How did he live through that? Hillenbrand sets the foundation for Louis strength in his resourceful childhood and family dynamics. Louis strength and determination help him achieve his goal of running in the 1936 Olympics as well as help him survive 47 days adrift at sea in an inflatable raft with two other survivors from his plane with no water, provisions, and sharks jumping into the inflatable raft in an attempt to eat the survivors.  After surviving the impossible, Louis and his pilot Phil reach land, only to be captured as Japanese POW.

The Japanese did not consider any Allied forces as Prisoners Of War but instead unarmed combatants, therefore they did not adhere to the Geneva Convention regarding treatment of POWs. The treatment of POW's by the Japanese was cruel to say the least. They were tortured, beaten, starved, enslaved, and were the victims of medical experiments.

The hope, teamwork, and compassion the POW's felt for each other is exposed through Hillenbrand's words. The support and love of the Veterans for each other after their release is just as present. Louis post war life and battle with PTSD is explored as well as how he recovers.

This is an amazing must read book that should be on everyones shelves. Once I started reading, I was held in its grip until the very last page. Louis, Phil who was his pilot, and all of the other POW's stories are an amazing story of survival demonstrating the Unbroken American Spirit.

Captain Jack Randal's Rules For Raiding

While writing book reviews for the first two books in Phil Ward's Raiding Forces Series, which you can read here and here, Captain Jack Randal's Rules For Raiding have not only stuck with me, but I've been guilty of quoting them a time or two, so I thought I would share these rules with those who have not read Those Who Dare or Dead Eagles.  

Randal's Rules For Raiding

Rule 1. The first rule is there ain't no rules.

Rule 2. Keep it short and simple.

Rule 3. It never hurts to cheat.

Rule 4. Right man, right job.

Rule 5.Plan missions backwards (know how to get home.)

Rule 6. It's good to have a Plan B.

Rule 7. Expect the unexpected.

Major Jack Randal Rules is displayed on the first page of Dead Eagles for those who need refreshing. It occurred to me while reading Dead Eagles, Major Randal's Rules apply to everyday life. Take Rule 1 I've found even when I played by the rules, not everyone else does. Whether it's trying to control a pack of sugar crazed children while substitute teaching on Halloween, or talking to your husband it's always better to keep it short and simple, hence Rule 2.  Rule 3 Cheating in the books is more about taking whatever tool/weapon/person to tip the scales of advantage. In life I'd interpret it to mean use what tools you have to your advantage. Nepotism isn't always a bad thing. Discounts at a restaurant because you're good friends with the owner is nice too. Just remember to pay those favors back when you're able.  Rule 4 Right man, right job. This is a rule I think every person in an authoritative position should have tattooed on their brain. If one is truly utilizing the right man (or woman), right job theory without thought about involving ego, well just imagine the possibilities... 

Rule 5 Plan missions backwards (know how to get home) doesn't literally apply to the majority of the population of earth.  However, if you take it on a theoretical basis Rule 5 could be interpreted as, never forget where you came from, how you got where you are, and why you're going in the direction you're heading.  I found in life Rule 6 It's good to have a Plan B is an absolute must. In fact, if you add children into the factor I wouldn't stop at Plan B. More than once I've made it to Plan K. If you've spent much time around children this needs no explanation. Rule 7 Expect the unexpected ties into Rule 6 and also valuable in life. I have been waylaid by the unexpected in pretty much every aspect of my life at some point. Sometimes the unexpected is pleasant, other times it's not.

What do you think of Captain Randal's Rules?

Dead Eagles- The 2nd Book In The Raiding Forces Series By Phil Ward

Dead Eagles is the second book by Phil Ward which will be released this November 2011. Major John Randal and his diverse team of covert operatives are back with more missions, more fire power, and more seemingly impossible assignments.

Dead Eagles is an exciting historical fiction page turner.  It has the perfect balance of military humor, military strategy, and social economics facing the British in World War II.  It is clear Phil Ward has brought his life experiences as a decorated Commissioned Combat Veteran and a former Army Ranger School Instructor through the many colorful characters placed in complicated, problematic, and unfavorable situations.

Dead Eagles is a delightful read and my favorite so far in the series.  I'm looking forward to Phil Ward's next book in the series. You can read my review of the first in the series Those Who Dare here.

Visit Phil Ward's official site at http://www.raidingforces.com/

Those Who Dare by Phil Ward~ A Book Review

Those Who Dare is a historical World War II work of fiction and the first in the Raiding Forces novels, which follows the career of a former American U.S. Army officer by the name of John Randal. John Randal who volunteers for the British Army Kings Royal Rifle Corps starts his memorable career as the Lieutenant in charge of buying trapped Allied troops at Dunkirk time to evacuate. Completely out numbered Randal uses gorilla warfare at Calais, France trading “time for space.”  

Randal is a charismatic character who has the ability to take bored, leaderless men transforming them into an elite fighting force. Randal not only wins the hearts and minds of his men, who are all volunteers, but his superior officers too. 

After Calais he is charged with creating a superior fast striking small raiding fighting force. The various training, equipment logistics, and mission debacles that ensue are classic examples of how plan Alpha never works out. It was interesting to watch Randal work through the same problems Victor Krulak worked through with the problems of amphibious landings during the same time frame.  

Phil Ward has pulled together a variety of believable characters in historical battles and events making an exciting new perspective which allows us to look at a time frame that is sadly being forgotten in light of a decade of recent war. 

I look forward to reading Dead Eagle's, the next book in the series. For more information go to http://www.raidingforces.com/