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)

This story needs to heard!

What did you love best about Unbroken?

Unbelievable story with an uplifting ending. Excellent writing and descriptions by Laura Hillenbrand.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

Plane crash and sharks

Which character – as performed by Edward Herrmann – was your favorite?

Louie

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

no

Quite A Story

Just when you think it can't get any worse. This was an excellent book, a wonderful story, and a great performance. The statistics about how many people died in noncombat situations is astonishing. This book will stay on my mind for a while.

One of the best stories you'll ever hear!

Fantastic story from WWII that shows why America fought the Japanese, the intense will to survive for POWS and why dropping the atomic bombs saved many American and Japanese lives. Great history, but the greatest part of the book is how God is the real hero and how he can change and restore lives.

Excellent, educational, and inspirational!

I really enjoyed listening to this audio book. I learned things about World War II that I never knew and the POW's stories are incredible. I always respect and appreciate soldiers and veterans but this book raised my appreciation of these hero's 10 fold! The narrator was good if at times a little dry but he still a decent reader.

Fantastic book (far better than the movie!)

Any additional comments?

I thought the book and narration performance were outstanding. Really made me excited to see the movie, which (as happens in most cases) I felt didn't live up to the book. What a fascinating individual. Highly recommended.

a wandering story about an amazing character

good story, but never felt like I was embedded with the character or really felt their struggle or pain. Lots of historical facts and background info was great but it brings you out of the narrative. Gets a bit preachy but never really got too preachy. I would like to know more about how the author got some of their information, especially internal thoughts of the main character.

Fantastic! We really enjoyed listening to this.

An audiobook that's hard to stop listening to. What an unbelievable story! It made our 16 hour drive more tolerable. Loved it.

Survival

What did you love best about Unbroken?

My husband, a WW II vet,could have suffered the same torture as Louis, for his commitment to his country. It helped me to better understand the 'walk he walked' for the sake of people he didn't even know.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

God's constant presence in Louis' life (although Louis was running from Him) changing his destiny.

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

The narrator spoke distinctly and made one feel they were experiencing the same emotions Louis felt towards his tormentors

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

Absolutely. However, it was too long. I thought it could have ended sooner, but admit that after reading to the end, I was glad I read to the end.

Any additional comments?

A very good read.

Great combination of story and fact

Great combination of facts and story. I wanted to listen to it even when I didn't have time.

Great story and great narration!

Well written book and excellent narration. Couldn't stop listening down to the last page. One of the best books I've listen to in years!