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)

Excellent

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

It was so deep and just packed with history. It moved so well. Great read.

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

Stick with the book

Any additional comments?

Just saw the movie and was quite disappointed as the book was so awesome.

Incredible true life story well told

Ms Hillenvrand is a wonderful writer weaving Louie's story through history with grace. Truly a story of human resilience and forgiveness that gives one hope for mankind even in the most troubled times.

Very riviting book

Where does Unbroken rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Unbelievably strong human sprit story of survival. This kind of story should not be forgotten. The cruelty of humans to one another as well as the evils of war time and the ability of people to survive. Well written and held your attention.

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

Well done.

America Needs Heroes

What did you love best about Unbroken?

The humility of this man who gave for his country.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

His return to Japan to visit the internment camp.

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

No.

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

Yes. I had to relisten to parts to "catch-up" on details when I listened again. I found it very enjoyable to re-listen to on a roadtrip to Buffalo, NY from Saint Robert, MO last Christmas.

Any additional comments?

In these dark times whereby millions of Americans (actual U.S. citizens and illegal immigrants) who aren’t willing to work, don’t serve in the military or in their communities, think that it is their “right” to be provided with “free” everything (housing, food, healthcare, childcare, mobile phones, etc.), and/or are born with the silver spoon in their mouths (not part of the generation that actually did the hard work to build the business that earned the wealth they enjoy) , part of the Hollywood elite who fail to “give back”, or just spoiled rotten’ children of lifelong hardworking parents who worked to provide their offspring with things to give them a better life than they had themselves … America needs Heroes. America needs to remember who and how this great country was founded and what it takes from a person to maintain the great freedom and lifestyle that we have the potential to enjoy.

Truly an amazing story!

This is one of the best war stories I've ever heard. Filled with emotional roller coasters and unbelievable stories. The writing was flawless!

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amazing forever true standing story !a picture of God's mercy to mankind! bravery at core

What and amazing story and so well written and performed.

Highly recommended. This is a true story that every man and woman should hear. Very touching and sobering. Brought me to tears a few times to be honest.
Very well performed too.

Unbelievable

This is an amazing story but not for everyone. It may be the saddest thing that I have ever heard. The treatment that the Pacific POW’s went through was criminal and this detailed recount of life in the Japanese POW camps will leave you sad and speechless.

Beyond amazing

Any additional comments?

This will forever be one of my favorite books. The performance is amazing and the story is enough to bring tears to your eye. If there is any Audible book you should listen to, it is this one. I would give it 100 stars if I could.

Excellent story! Brilliant narration!!!

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

Yes. It's a long story, sometimes heartbreaking to listen to, BUT it was worth it! The end moves you utterly...!

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

Edward Herrmann's performance was BRILLIANT!!! Thank you!

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

The end of the book touched us in a profound way!

Any additional comments?

The title UNBROKEN was clear and brilliantly explained in the end through one man's life journey!