This past summer the incoming Freshman received a copy of Unbroken by
Laura Hillenbrand as a gift from the Norwich University Board of
Fellows (BoF). In October, the BoF Visiting Fellows hosted "book
discussions" with students discussing leadership lessons learned related
to Norwich's Guiding Values. Leading up to this discussion we
established this blog to share your thoughts and post your own questions
about the book. We encourage you to post your thoughts now that you
participated in the discussion and connect with the BoF members.To get the discussion moving consider:
- Which Norwich "Guiding Values" do you feel that Lois Zamperini represented throughout his ordeal?
- Hillenbrand explores the extraordinary risks faced by America’s WWII airmen: 54,000 men killed in combat, 36,000 killed in noncombat aircraft accidents, and a stunning 15,000 men killed in stateside training—at times, an average of 19 per day. Men faced a 50% chance of being killed during combat tours of only 30-40 missions. Were you aware of the dangers faced by airmen in the Pacific war? What facts and stories were most surprising to you? (question from Hillenbrand website)
- The POWs took enormous risks to carry out thefts, sabotage, and other acts of defiance. Men would risk their lives to steal items as trivial as pencil boxes. What benefit did they derive from defiance that was worth risking death, or severe beatings? (question from Hillenbrand website)
- How does WWII literature compare to literature you've read about OIP and OEF?
In addition to participating in a book discussion also take the time to meet and talk and engage with your Visiting Committee.
