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)

great book and narration

I really enjoyed this audio book. the story was fascinating and compelling and Edward Herrmann narrates it wonderfully.

Amazing

This book restored my faith in hope. After watching the movie I almost didn't want to read the book. I am so glad a friend talked me into it. It completes what the movie starts. It shows the power of forgiveness and moves me to be a better person. The narration was superb.

Fantastic book. very well done.

Story came alive. Reading was well done. I would highly recommended it for anyone. Long live Louie in our memories.

Great story Amazing

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

Probably not just because it's one of those books that once you know the story, it would not change with further play

What other book might you compare Unbroken to and why?

Alice Springs True WWII stories about amazing people, spirit, and attitude.

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

probably, but I don't remember readers names.

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

Never Say Die

Any additional comments?

Although the book is "true" I find some incidents a bit of a stretch. Most of the book is chronalogical, but in a few places it jumps out of sync.

Gutwrenching and Uplifting, a Must Read

Hillenbrand opens our eyes to the horrors and triumphs of war in a way no history book could. I cannot recommend this book enough. Perfectly narrated by Edward Herrmann.

Amazing story about a unknown American hero

It is sad that Louie Zamperini is not celebrated in America as the hero he obviously was. Until I read this book I hadn't even heard his name. The fact that a person who loves history and regularly studies it would not know anything of this man's amazing life is sad.

I have listened to this book three times and each time I am struck by the fact that Louie was so strong and such a wonderfully positive man. The relationship between him and his family especially Pete is thrilling.

I have also seen the movie and I have to say they really missed the heart of the story. The fact that Louie was truly saved by God at the Billy Graham revival and through that was able to not only forgive but embraced his tormentors is a really wonderful story.

This is a Must Read!

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

Spell binding story!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Louis Zamperini

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

Made listening as intriguing as reading the story in print

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

Resilience is the Core of Life!

Any additional comments?

I hope to meet Louis Zamperini in April and I cant wait just a handshake. I hope I will be able to control my enthusiasm and exhuberance from reading his story of Resilience!

Such resilience!

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

I think not - because it is a 'heavy' story until Louis comes to know Jesus. He had an arduous experience, and its not one I would want to revisit very often.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

When Louis stands in front of The Bird, and takes the beatings over and over and over again. Of course, this is not a representation of Jesus, Louis was not even a believer yet. And yet, it is a visual and emotional account of a man standing and receiving blows and beatings that he did not deserve. A profound visual of the Cross.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Louis is reconnected to his family - I could see his little mother beaming with delight that her little boy was home.

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

It is a very sobering reminder of mans' blindness to his personal sin before surrendering to truth. It is a visceral reminder of the truth of the unredeemed, untouched heart.

Any additional comments?

I loved the book. It was just difficult to read, yet I was on edge, wanting to read and finish it.

Amazing Story

Most amazing story I've ever heard. Human perserverance to the utmost. God bless our American vets. God bless America.

Amazing story

What an amazing true story of a man's life and the human spirit. What human's can endure is amazing. Incredible story of survival