Analysis

The epilogue of Hillenbrand’s biography serves as both the closing section and the final evidence that she has written a true, historically accurate account. In wrapping up the details of the lives of Louie and Cynthia Zamperini, “Phil” Phillips, Bill Harris, and Mutsuhiro Watanabe, she provides verifiable facts that any researcher can corroborate.

Additionally, the information about The Bird’s final postwar years attests to the veracity of Louie’s story as related in Unbroken. Were this simply an inspirational tale, The Bird would meet his much-deserved judgment and demise, but that never happened: The Bird lived a long and successful life after his days ruling POW camps ended. He escaped punishment, became very wealthy and important in Japanese society, and died in old age.