Unbroken

A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

By: Laura Hillenbrand

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times best seller

The incredible true story of survival and salvation that is the basis for two major motion pictures: 2014’s Unbroken and the upcoming Unbroken: Path to Redemption.

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

In her long-awaited book, Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit. Telling an unforgettable story of a man’s journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit.

©2010 Laura Hillenbrand; 2010 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Unbroken is wonderful twice over, for the tale it tells and for the way it’s told. A better book than Seabiscuit, it manages maximum velocity with no loss of subtlety. [Hillenbrand has] a jeweler’s eye for a detail that makes a story live." (Newsweek)

"A master class in narrative storytelling.... Extraordinarily moving...A powerfully drawn survival epic." (The Wall Street Journal)

"Ambitious and powerful.... Hillenbrand is intelligent and restrained, and wise enough to let the story unfold for itself. Her research is thorough, her writing crystalline. Unbroken is gripping in an almost cinematic way." (The New York Times Book Review)

“[A] one-in-a-billion story...designed to wrench from self-respecting critics all the blurby adjectives we normally try to avoid: It is amazing, unforgettable, gripping, harrowing, chilling, and inspiring.” (New York)

“Staggering...mesmerizing...Hillenbrand’s writing is so ferociously cinematic, the events she describes so incredible, you don’t dare take your eyes off the page.” (People)

“A meticulous, soaring and beautifully written account of an extraordinary life.” (The Washington Post)

“Hillenbrand...tells [this] story with cool elegance but at a thrilling sprinter’s pace.” (Time)

“Unbroken is too much book to hope for: a hellride of a story in the grip of the one writer who can handle it.” (Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run)

FANTASTIC READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you could sum up Unbroken in three words, what would they be?

what a person

Which scene was your favorite?

The floating adrift on the raft for 45 days

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Hard to put down

Any additional comments?

Fantastic read I just hope the movie is 1/2 as good as the book and it will be a winner. Hard to put down it makes your emotions go in all directions. God got a winner when he called Louie home.

Best book of all time

Wow! What an incredible book. I've never felt so much like I was right there in person

Probably the most incredible story I've ever heard

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

Yes - it's a very compelling book about how to achieve higher limits.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

How he forgave his captors.

What does Edward Herrmann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotion - great job with reader.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When he was reunited with his family.

Any additional comments?

A must read

Powerful, humbling, inspiring.

Illustrates the power of the human spirit to endure and the power of God given to man to forgive. Inspiring!

The best!

I don't know when I've enjoyed a book more than this one. So very inspirational! The author was wonderful and so was the narrator. I wholeheartedly recommend this!

Incredible survival story

This book is amazing, I don't know how Louis was able to come out alive. This is an inspiration to never give up.

Amazing!

Would you consider the audio edition of Unbroken to be better than the print version?

The audio version was like having a friend tell me their story.

What did you like best about this story?

It's truly a story of redemption and resilience. It's unbelievable that a person could survive what Louie did. But he did and is still with us today. I am thankful he shared his story and hope future generations will learn from it. He is truly an inspiring soul.

What does Edward Herrmann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A warm yet reassuring voice. He did an excellent job, good pacing and inflection. He painted a picture with his voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Many extreme reactions to this story. More than once i was on the edge of my sear, held my breath and sighed with sadness at the plight of the POWs. I also smiled with joy at the optimism and forgiveness shown by Louie.

Any additional comments?

A must read. A testament to the strength of friendship and the human spirit to not only survive adversity but to succeed because it. To Live Big!

Inspiring

This book is now one of my favorites of all time. From beginning to end it was amazing. I can't believe all the facial expressions it caused me to have. Truly an inspirational book.

YES

I enjoyed this book very well done! A beautiful walk through the horror of war and the strength of men! Forgiving others frees us!

Best story I have ever had the pleasure of reading

The story of Louis Zamperini has no comparison. It is an amazing story of resilience, accomplishment, and overcoming adversity. Written perfectly, it was a pleasure to have experienced this story.