Sports, War & Bombers

At the beginning of the year, I picked up the book, Boys in the Boat. After watching the movie of the same title, I happened to see it on my parent’s shelf and stole it. Following the beautiful story of Joe Rantz and 8 other boys who rowed to the 1936 Olympics, it didn’t just tell a sports story but the greater cultural context of the time. The Great Depression, the wind and dust storms that swept black clouds over the whole US, and the 1936 Olympics when Nazi Germany duped the whole world. It’s an incredible story of resilience in the face of so many odds. And a story of life long friendship.

Once I was on a roll of sports, war, and the Olympics of the 1930s, I happened to see Unbroken on my sister’s shelf and stole that from her. Louis Zamperini was a track star. It took me awhile to read because I knew one fact. He suffered greatly during World War II. He survived on a raft at sea for 47 days with wits and not much else. I have an unhealthy, obsessive fear of sharks. And this story did nothing but feed it. Kind of like the way they tried to with Louis and his raft pals. Louis might be one of my favorite people I will never know. Ultimately, his story is one of redemption. Not a survivor but a miracle. Not of bitterness but forgiveness. And it just so happened that both Zampirini* and Rantz participated in the 1936 Olympics. In fact, Louis was congratulated by Hitler for his speed.

Have you ever noticed how once you’re in a certain subject, you see it everywhere? I just finished Unbroken. Since I’m visiting my parents, what do I see on my dad’s shelf? The Bomber Mafia by Malcom Gladwell. Never even sounded interesting to me until I read about B24s and B29s. Bomber planes used on the pacific side to cover long distances needed to reach enemy territory. Hey, that sounds like something I’d be interested in. And while I’m on the topic, did you know that the B24s caused more casualties from accidents than actual combat. Who even knew I cared about this? But now I do. And now maybe you can, too.

*Louis set many world records but came in 8th at the Olympics. He said “I didn’t win the 5000-meter race at the Olympics, but making the team and not winning is like going to the moon and stumbling over a rock and falling. So what? You’re still on the moon.” And that’s who I want to be when I grow up. An optimist who “ Never Gives Up, Never Gives In.”

I guess the real moral of the story is steal books off people’s shelves. And follow your curiosity.