Unbroken

On his way to the Berlin Olympics, Louie boarded the luxury cruiser named The Manhattan, where he and several other athletes overindulged on the fine and endless buffet. He gained twelve pounds on the nine-day excursion. When they arrived in Germany, their hosts provided them with everything the athletes desired. Louie also noted that the Nazi party and the army were on full display and that “every vista suggested coiled might” (31).

According to Hillenbrand, the gracious appearance that Germany presented at this time was calculated: “The only visible wisp of discord was the broken glass in the windows of Jewish businesses” (31-32). Without realizing it, Louie had arrived to the nation of his future enemy.

Although Louie knew he would not medal at the Olympics, he still beat his personal best time. By accelerating at the end of the race, he “just missed seventh place” (34). The crowd, and the Fuhrer himself, were quite impressed with his performance. Goebbels agreed for Louie to meet Hitler. 

After the Berlin Olympics, Louie’s story shifts to his years at the University of Southern California. There, Louie befriended a mysterious Japanese émigré named Kunichi James Sasaki. However, Jimmie “wasn’t what he seemed” (40.