If this were fiction, I would be writing that this is too unbelievable and the author is straining the bounds of reality too much. It would have seemeIf this were fiction, I would be writing that this is too unbelievable and the author is straining the bounds of reality too much. It would have seemed just too much and over the top. But you see this is not fiction this is history. It reads like an interesting page turning novel, but it's history.
To be fair the beginning of the book doesn't really grip you. I only say this so that you will not give up on the book too soon. But honestly I feel a little awkward talking about griping, page turning action because this is history. So these things actually happened to somebody. Man, never again will I complain (that is not true of course but it should be).
The book starts out with Louis Zamperini's upbringing in a poor depression era family, like millions of our grand parents. His close bond with his family shaped him as a man. He started track at the encouragement of his brother, hoping to channel his rebellious longing to something positive. As it turned out he was really good at it.
War starts and life as they knew it was interrupted and what was, would never be again. During a rescue operation his plane goes down. The endurance of the human mind and body was amazing. There is no other word for it and nothing I can add, but say read this story.
But it doesn't end there, you see he doesn't die on the boat. He goes to a Japanese POW camp. What he and his fellow POWs endured is beyond my ability to capture in words. Read this story.
The ending is no less dramatic and real in my opinion. How do you live with this? Read the book and learn what Louis learned. ...more
I wasn't for sure what to expect from this book after the first in the series was such a well written historical fiction of early science. According tI wasn't for sure what to expect from this book after the first in the series was such a well written historical fiction of early science. According to the reviews I read, this was nothing like the first (with the exception of the setting being the same time period). So while I wasn't for sure what to expect, I didn't think I would laugh so much. This book was so enjoyable. The characters were real people, living in a hard world. They knew the world was hard, but they didn't know it could be any different. In the introduction, Neal Stephenson tells us that he wants to tell the story of how a poor person in this time lived. Now the story does seem to develop the overall theme, however only moderately so, in my opinion. I don't have the words to describe "Half Cock Jack" he is one of the most interesting and enjoyable characters I have ever come across. He is not always likable, but he is never dull.
Even though this book is tagged by many as "science fiction" please know that it is such a minor aspect of the overall plot that if you didn't know what you were looking for, you'd miss it. There are some rated R parts so reader beware.
The ending does have a feel of being a book in a series, but no cliff hanger here. ...more
Eric Metaxas can tell a good story and in this book he tells seven of them. The men are presented in chronological order beginning with George Washing Eric Metaxas can tell a good story and in this book he tells seven of them. The men are presented in chronological order beginning with George Washington coming to contemporary times of Chuck Colson. With the audio version dedicating roughly an hour to each story, so you don't get detailed autobiographies on each man. What does do is very insightful and makes an enjoyable read.
He presents each man's background and demonstrates how his faith in God was an important (overwhelming really) factor in his life. Then each man experiences conflict (as all men) in their live. But they responded to this conflict in a way that was consistent with their Christian worldview. As a result of acts of faith God used each man to greatly benefit society.
A very inspiration read, that kindles a desire to learn more about each man's story. ...more
First off, this is not for everyone, but it was for me. I love 16th & 17th century science, Isaac Newton and religious philosophy. This book has all oFirst off, this is not for everyone, but it was for me. I love 16th & 17th century science, Isaac Newton and religious philosophy. This book has all of this and more.
I've read some criticism that Stephenson can be a little detail oriented and I'm here to tell you, yes he can. But he was talking about such interesting stuff I actually didn't notice the time.
One note that I feel compelled to mention to anyone thinking of reading this. Not a lot (if any really) science fiction. I'm not sure why this book is tagged by so many as sci-fi. There are some elements but very slightly. Maybe this plays a more important role as the series progresses, not sure. Just saying a strong science fiction plot, it's not here. But hey, it's really a great read. ...more
This book got me hooked on historic fiction. Can't say enough good about it. This book got me hooked on historic fiction. Can't say enough good about it. ...more
I've recently been interested by Galileo after reading The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick and then Galileo's Dream by Kim Stanley Robinson. The I've recently been interested by Galileo after reading The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick and then Galileo's Dream by Kim Stanley Robinson. The second book while science fiction did a great job of interweaving historic fact within the plot. But this review is about Galileo's Daughter. Because of the two previous books I was motivated to learn more about Galileo and this book was the right choice. We get to see the personal side of Galileo through the letters of his devoted daughter against the backdrop of the public life and work. Galileo truly had a great mind and demonstrated this up to his last days. Equally amazing was the relationship he had with his daughter.
I must say it is disheartening to see how he was treated by his church because of misunderstandings of scripture at the time. But I was impressed by Galileo's continued faith in both God and science. It is easy to understand why Einstein called him the father of modern physics....more
When worldviews collide! This book givens an insight to pre war Germany that I had never en-counted. Germany's Christianity was eroded by liberal theoWhen worldviews collide! This book givens an insight to pre war Germany that I had never en-counted. Germany's Christianity was eroded by liberal theology for a number of years and was unable to deal with the Nazi worldview. Bonhoeffer, embolden by the Sermon on the Mount faced the Nazi threat with a quite nobility that still inspires us. To him Christianity was real and the implications of that caused dangerous conflict with the Darwinian society that his country became.
The author tells this story by weaving in the many books, sermons and letters Bonhoeffer left us. I feel that I got to know and understand Bonhoeffer in a very personal way. I also was introduced to his fiance and was very moved by her part in the story.
You can not help but be disturbed by the tragical events in his live, nor can you help but be moved by the faith you see lived out to it's inevitable conclusion....more
Ok this is a history book, but don't think it is boring. We learn about the world view of the great thinkers who shaped our current scientific thoughtOk this is a history book, but don't think it is boring. We learn about the world view of the great thinkers who shaped our current scientific thought. This is presented within the context of the 17th century world in which they lived. Of course Isaac Newton is the star, but other characters are also presented. I especially enjoyed learning about the Royal Society. This is one of those books, that if your not already interested in the subject you will want to go out and learn more (which I've already started reading another book about Isaac Newton)....more
Loading...
