2015 Professional Reading Program Challenge

The WFDLP is issuing a reading challenge for 2015! The book chosen for this year is “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption” by Laura Hillenbrand. The book is focused on the story of Louis Zamperini during World War Two, but also looks at his life before and after the war, and the tragedies, challenges and triumphs that he experienced.

The intent of the challenge is to promote the reading and discussion of the book throughout the spring and summer. Discussions are encouraged on the WFLDP Facebook page, the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center Fireline Leadership Reading Room, and ready rooms, engine bays, and fire caches across the land.

 As a value-added feature, readers are encouraged to venture into the Leadership in Cinema realm and watch and discuss the film version currently in theaters and estimated to be released on Digital/DVD/Blu-ray later in 2015.

There are several themes in the book that carry over into our realm of leadership and wildland fire. Two in particular spring to mind: Resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity; and being a leader, even when you have nothing to lead but yourself. This theme, of leading oneself, ties in to the WFLDP’s 2015 campaign of “Followership is Leadership.” Even when we’re not in command or even in control, we can still lead ourselves. To quote William Ernest Henley, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”

 Happy reading!