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)

Jesus saves

Jesus Christ loves and sustains and forgives! Thank you to my friend Brad who encouraged me to read this tale that I thought was filled with trauma but as I read I saw Jesus carrying Louis throughout his life!

Excellent. In every way.

The author of the book did an incredible job of drawing you into the story of a great man during a very difficult time period.

The actual voice that I listened to was outstanding!! He told the story well, and you could sense emotion and clarity of meaning as he read.

Perspective enhancing

Well read and insightful story of what a generation experienced, both good and bad. POW story so terrible it dominates the book.

Amazing couldn't put it down

this book is just amazing I couldn't stop listening to it. ran 2 extra miles to keep listening to it. worth it trust me

Beautifully written and told

While some parts of this story are undoubtedly hard to listen to, it's overall an inspiring and challenging listen. I highly recommend it!

Simply Amazing!

This truly was a remarkable life. The author captured the events and life of this hero in vivid detail.

Great story!

I don't normally like history books, but this story needs to be told for our military and for humanity.

Best listen this year, and that's saying a lot!!

What made the experience of listening to Unbroken the most enjoyable?

The story was, simply put, amazingly well told. The narration was perfect. I found the tale so moving that I have talked it up to a number of friends.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Really the only character of note is Zamperini - what an amazing person and amazing life.

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

I'm a big fan of Edward's readings. He reads Unbroken incredibly well and can be equally brilliant on children's stories like Geronimo Stilton... what a great reader.

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

Yes... this book is very moving. If this story doesn't move you then I suggest you check for paralysis.

Any additional comments?

Just get the book ... it's not a top Audible audiobook for no reason. I was, foolishly, reluctant but fell into the deep end in just a few minutes.

Excellent & WW 2 was grim

Bravery & fascinating. I think all schools should include this into the curriculum


This is history brought to life

And We Complain About Our Work???

WOW! is all I have to say about this book. Hillenbrand brings forth this non-fiction story as if it was a literary novel set during World War II. A brilliant story of survival, real life Zamparini is in the throws of being stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Overcoming great odds of surviving along with his squadron buddy, Phil, Zamp is sent to an internment camp where he is beaten, tortured, starved, saved and then again is beaten, starved and tortured again. Yet his spirit remains intact. It is an uplifting account of survival that we don't hear too much about. What an amazing non-fiction book!