Books matching: human resilience
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"Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand is a gripping historical account that follows the incredible life of Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic athlete who becomes a prisoner of war in Japanese camps during World War II. The writing style is described as engaging, addicting, and moving, with detailed research and a focus on presenting the harsh realities of war and human nature.
IN THE PREDAWN DARKNESS OF AUGUST 26, 1929, IN THE back bedroom of a small house in Torrance, California, a twelve-year-old boy sat up in bed, listening. There was a sound coming from outside, growing...- #2
Save:The Cellist of Sarajevo is a poignant novel set in a city under siege during the Bosnian war. The story follows the lives of four characters, each struggling to survive and maintain their humanity in the face of war atrocities. The plot revolves around a cellist who vows to play a piece symbolizing hope and rebirth at the site of a massacre each day for 22 days, honoring the victims while risking his life. Through snapshots of daily life, the author paints a vivid picture of the war-torn city and explores themes of resilience, survival, and the impact of war on civilians.
It screamed downward, splitting air and sky without effort. A target expanded in size, brought into focus by time and velocity. There was a moment before impact that was the last instant of things as ... - #3
Save:'The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl' by author Timothy Egan is a gripping narrative that delves into the harrowing experiences of families and communities during the Dust Bowl era in America. Egan brilliantly captures the catastrophic events of blinding black dust blizzards, crop failures, and the struggles of individuals to survive through the darkest years of the Depression. Through vivid storytelling, the author sheds light on the resilience and hardships faced by the stoic men and women who braved the relentless dust storms and economic turmoil, painting a poignant picture of a devastating environmental and human tragedy.
Egan's writing style in 'The Worst Hard Time' has been praised for its meticulous research, engaging storytelling, and the ability to humanize the characters who lived through the Dust Bowl. not only provides a historical account of the era but also offers insights into the political, environmental, and societal factors that contributed to the disaster. By focusing on personal narratives and intimate details, Egan brings to life the struggles, sacrifices, and courage of those who endured the unimaginable challenges of the Dust Bowl, making it a compelling and informative read for anyone interested in American history.
THEY HAD BEEN on the road for six days, a clan of five bouncing along in a tired wagon, when Bam White woke to some bad news. One of his horses was dead. It was the nineteenth-century equivalent of a ... - #4
Save:Perihelion Summer by Greg Egan is a science fiction novella that presents a climate change disaster scenario caused by a pair of small black holes disrupting Earth's orbit. The story follows the protagonist, Matt, as he navigates through the challenges of impending high tides and the need to lead a group of refugees to survivable conditions in Antarctica. Egan's writing style is characterized by a commitment to hard science fiction, rational characters, and a focus on exploring urgent adaptation without assigning blame or denial typically associated with climate change narratives.
Matt’s parents threw a party for New Year’s Eve, filling the house and garden with people and food, music and liquor. His mother had sent invitations to the rest of the crew, but Matt knew that on the... - #5
Save:'The Plague' by Albert Camus revolves around the town of Oran in the 1940s dealing with a sudden plague outbreak, leading to quarantine and isolation from the rest of society. The story focuses on how individuals cope with the challenges of being cut off from their loved ones, the slow progression of the disease, and the impact it has on human relationships. Camus' writing style captures the existential struggles of the characters and delves into philosophical themes of human nature, suffering, and societal responses to crises.
The unusual events described in this chronicle occurred in 194- at Oran. Everyone agreed that, considering their somewhat extraordinary character, they were out of place there. For its ordinariness is... - #6
Save:"Hiroshima" by John Hersey is a nonfiction book that chronicles the lives of six survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Through the eyes of these survivors, the book captures the immediate aftermath of the bombing, the long-term effects on the individuals, and their resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors. Hersey's writing style is described as matter-of-fact, clinical, and powerful, presenting a stark and realistic portrayal of the events that unfolded during and after the bombing. The book provides a detailed account of the devastation caused by the atomic bomb and sheds light on the personal experiences of those who lived through this catastrophic event.
AT EXACTLY fifteen minutes past eight in the morning, on August 6, 1945, Japanese time, at the moment when the atomic bomb flashed above Hiroshima, Miss Toshiko Sasaki, a clerk in the personnel depart... - #7
Save:'A Walk on the Wild Side' by Nelson Algren is a gritty and poignant portrayal of the lives of society's down and out, losers, and has-beens lived out in the streets, cheap hotels, dingy bars, and brothels of New Orleans in the 1930s. The story follows Dove Linkhorn, a 16-year-old illiterate teenager from an outback town, as he navigates through the hardships of the Great Depression era. Dove's journey is filled with encounters with pimps, whores, con men, and various colorful characters, shedding light on the unfairness of wealth distribution and the struggles faced by the truly poor during that time.
Algren's writing style in this book is described as fabulous, with a mix of sing-song rhyme and southern drawl, creating a vivid and melancholic atmosphere. The narrative is a series of small dramas that highlight the harsh realities of life during the 1930s, showcasing moments of compassion, loyalty, and shared misery among the characters. The book delves into themes of poverty, human resilience, and the complexities of humanity, painting a stark picture of a bygone era that still resonates with current social and economic issues.
For what had embittered him Fitz had no name. Yet he felt that every daybreak duped him into waking and every evening conned him into sleep. The feeling of having been cheated – of having been cheated... - #8
Save:In Marcel Theroux's 'Far North', the story follows Makepeace, a lone resident and constable in a post-apocalyptic Siberian town. When a small plane crashes nearby, Makepeace embarks on a journey to seek out civilization, questioning the solitary existence at the end of everything. The book is described as dark but relentlessly interesting, with a thoughtful and realistic portrayal of humanity in extreme circumstances. The narrative unfolds gradually, revealing the state of humankind and Makepeace's surprising nature with a deliberate caution, although some opinions mention a lack of urgency in the storytelling.
In the best room of the house, which was kept special for Sundays, and visitors, and Christmas, stands my mother’s pianola, and on it a metronome, and their wedding photograph, and a big gilded wooden... - #9
Save:"Dr. Bloodmoney" by Philip K. Dick is a post-apocalyptic novel set in the near future of 1972, exploring a world ravaged by two nuclear apocalypses. The story is centered around a rural town in West Marin populated by colorful characters, including mutants with unique powers, a man orbiting Earth in a satellite, and a talking dog. The narrative structure, typical of PKD, switches between different points of view, offering a refreshing take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Despite the bleak setting, the book maintains an optimistic tone and incorporates eccentric humor throughout the storyline.
EARLY IN THE BRIGHT sun-yellowed morning, Stuart McConchie swept the sidewalk before Modern TV Sales & Service, hearing the cars along Shattuck Avenue and the secretaries hurrying on high heels to the... - #10
Save:'I Have Lived a Thousand Years' by Livia Bitton-Jackson is a poignant memoir that follows the experiences of Elli Friedmann, a young Jewish girl, and her family during the Holocaust. The book vividly portrays the increasing hostility and prejudice towards Elli and her family as they are rounded up and sent to Jewish ghettos and eventually to the infamous death camp, Auschwitz. Through Elli's story, the author sheds light on the extreme prejudice, harassement, and struggles faced by the Jewish community, while also highlighting themes of family unity, faith, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The writing style of the book is described as informative, well-written, and inspirational. Readers praise the author for her detailed descriptions of the horrors of the Holocaust, while also weaving in elements of courage, endurance, and love. The narrative captures both the darkness of the Holocaust and the light of human resilience, making it a compelling and emotionally impactful read.
I dream of enrolling in the prep school in Budapest, the capital city. Budapest is a big, beautiful metropolis with wide streets and tall buildings and yellow streetcars whizzing around corners. All t...
