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)

AMAZING JOURNEY!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend this book to every American! it is a vital part of our history and tells a story that has largely been ignored by people, in favor of making America the "bad guys" for dropping Nuclear bombs on Japan. this is a gutwrenching story of one man's amazing strength and ability to face the worst of mankind.

What did you like best about this story?

the details that are so often left out of true stories, especially the brutal truths.

Which scene was your favorite?

(Spoiler alert) As I am sure a lot of people will do, I went into this story knowing nothing about it, or what the outcome would be. The liberation of the prison camp and the sheer emotion when the men were finally free of their captors.

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

The point where Louis went back to Japan and told the guards he forgave them. that took more strength than enduring what he did.

Any additional comments?

If you are in doubt about listening to this book just do it. It may start off a little slow, but when the bullets start flying (and the planes) you will not be able to stop listening! I actually went to work early so I could listen during my commute and drove slower so I could get as much in as I could. I can't wait for the movie! if it is half as good as the book it will be the best movie of the year easily!!

Amazing

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. What an incredible life! I highly recommend this audio book.

Started slow but became riveting

Very well written. The twists this story takes are well worth a listen. Highly recommended.

Life lessons and rewards, commitment.

It is important to listen to the very end of the book. Best if read by all 15 to 20 year olds. A very heavy book to listen or read. Please don't quit before the end.

This book is riveting and incredibly moving!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! It is a fascinating story, which also gives amazing insight into a critical time in history. It is so humbling to learn what was endured by our Pacific P.O.W's. The core message that I received from the book is that man's true strength lies in his capacity for endurance and resilience.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved most of the characters, even the awful ones, because they were so believable. The author does such a good job of developing and humanizing her characters - even when they are unimaginably evil people.

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

I love his voice - he added gravitas to the book. Also, his inflection helped me to better understand some of the Japanese terms that I might have struggled with in reading the book.

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

I could have listened to it all in one sitting, although it was a bit too long for that to be practical. I listened to it all over a few days while doing housework, etc. It was excellent and I definitely got a lot more done just to have an excuse to listen a bit longer each time.

Any additional comments?

I am very moved and inspired by this book. I learned so much that I did not already know about the Pacific War. Also, it reminded me that humans can be so resilient and have such a capacity to endure the unendurable, process the effects, and then seek happiness in whatever new form it takes. It is quite a life affirming message in the midst of a horrific history of the Pacific P.O.W.'s experiences.

chair-gripping story of survival

This story of an Olympian and Prisoner of War was a chair gripping story of survival. It was well-written and well-read.

Must have. Simply amazing story and life

make this a Mandatory read in Highschool. history class
Really .. .. .. .. .

Exceptional all around!

I do not know how to express my feelings of gratitude to the men and women this amazing book endeavors to keep alive. Thank you!

Love this book!

My father was a WWII veteran and didn't talk much about the war. He was at Pearl Harbor when it was attached and fell in love with the lifestyle there. I found it a compelling story, especially because I have lived on Hawaii Island my adult life in a majority Japanese American community with a history I never fully understood.

Wonderful!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would give this a 12 out of 10 if it were possible. One of the best stories and most inspirational books I've ever read or listened to.