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)

surprise!

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

yes. the depth of the storytelling was phenomenal. i came into this book believing it'd be a melodramatic epilogue of someone's life. but it wasn't. not even close. i was taken by this ornery, "i do what i want" character in zamparini. i was taken by the way in which hillenbrand told his story. truthfully, i didn't want the book to end - so i'll read it over and over.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

forgiving his tormentors. wow. i couldn't have done that.

Wow

Truly an unbelievable true story! It sounds almost impossible; the things this guy saw went through

Unbelievably Inspiring.

This is the story of one of the greatest men who ever lived, his struggles in a very different world, and the brave men who fought and served alongside him. Truly awe inspiring, and motivational to the core. Undoubtedly worth the listen.

I couldn't stop listening!!!

One of the most beautiful stories i've ever heard! clung to every word.... absolutely recommend!

One of the best books I've ever read

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

It was beyond comprehension what the POW's had to endure and their everyday spirit that could not be broken

Who was your favorite character and why?

Louie of course. He was so likable and strong willed

Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes I listened to the Goldfinch which was another favorite!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Oh gosh too many to pick

Any additional comments?

Even if you do not like history , this book is amazingly well written, exciting and you just can't wait to hear more

one of the best books !!!

Enjoyed listening to this book. It was great !!! Highly recommend for everyone to read.

Comments to Unbroken

I did not know or have any expectations for the book. I was very moved by the book for its detail and the resilience of the soldiers.
There were several memorable moments but the one that is most memorable is the Billy Graham sermon that turned Louis's life.
The narrator was excellent. I have listened to many books and he is by far the best I have heard.
Can't wait to see the movie.

not normally my genre but I loved it

I generally don't enjoy history stories because they never grab my attention but this one had me hooked! I listened to the whole thing in a matter of 2 days. Seriously, fantastic.

Amazing book! Great story, better WWII education.

I was constantly anticipating when I could come back to this audio book on a daily basis. Couldn't get enough, despite how horrific the story was. On top of it, it taught me so many details about the Pacific Front of WWII that I never knew. I loved this book.

Unforgettable

Any additional comments?

Here is a story of unfathomable courage. We see the brute carnage of war, the ability of the human spirit to become in humane and monstrous and we see evil incarnate.
In response we see a response of survival which stands against the odds of physical and moral destruction. It is a difficult and wonderful story!!