My mom gushed about this book to me for nearly two years. Finally I decided I had to move this title that was hyped as almost a Gift From God to the top of my queue. After reading it, I think if my expectations had not been so high, I would have given it another star. 
 As it stands, it certainly is an amazing story. Louie Zamperini lead an incredible life, and his strength of will brought him through times so horrible they are difficult to even imagine. I kind of doubt that all the information presented here is precisely true, but that's okay, I prefer my nonfiction to read like a novel instead of a college term paper. 
 And that's the problem--the writing. It does read like Hillenbrand is a reporter, or a student, or someone that just spews out detail after detail and nearly unbelievable event after another, without actually making the reader care about any of the characters. 
 Initially, learning about Louie, and how running turned his life to a better place, I liked the book. The raft part also interested me more than the other sections. Most of it, though, was slow and difficult to get through. 
 When I got to 50% (in the ebook), I wondered if I would be able to finish. I began skimmming some sections. Then Billy Graham (!!!!) made an appearance, an important one, and I skimmed even more. Then suddenly, somewhere in the 70% range, the book just ended. I hadn't looked ahead to see how more of the actual book remained; I assumed it was over 25%. Nope, and what a happy moment for me that was. OH YAY I AM DONE EARLY!!! 
 Hillenbrand's meticulous research notes and sources take up much of the rest of the book, along with an epilogue and some other information. I did like the many photos that were included. Now I'm all done, and I hope my mother doesn't ask me how I liked it, so that we don't have to talk about it. I don't want to hurt her feelings. 
 The movie is out now. The critics don't like it (51%), but viewers think it's okay (73%). A co-worker tells me that at the end of her screening, everyone applauded. Wow. It sure seems like it would be a wonderful movie. It could be epic, like Forrest Gump. I'm sure to like it better than the book, so I'll be watching it in the future.