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)

Outstanding in every way

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

Yes! It is a stirring, true story that is told so well that the listener can visualize every word!

Excellent story for all interests

This story covers a little of everything from the military to love and many twists in between. A very interesting read!

Amazed

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

an incredible story

What did you like best about this story?

Edward Herrmann's narration. Unparalleled.

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

I finished this book completely in awe. Of this man's life, and of his impact on so many other lives. Inspiring.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book to anyone looking for depth in a story. History, personal accounts and excellent storytelling are what draw you in and keep you listening to the end. This is by far the best book in my Audible library.

Carpool reading

The narration was wonderful. the explicit details in which the author wrote the story was amazing. some of the details made you feel like you were right there in the story with them I don't know if I would want to see the movie after the picture the book left in my mind.

An Unbelievable Story of an Unbreakable Man!

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

Unbroken ranks among the top audiobooks I have been able to listen to so far. A story of amazing athleticism, war, survival, enslavement, perseverance, hatred, love, and grace. Not many true stories touch so many powerful topics, and still have a wonderful ending.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Louis of course! The man is a beast! He's incredible.

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

Louis still wins here.

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

An Unbelievable Story of an Unbreakable Man!

Any additional comments?

God is good. I'm glad He was able to work on and use Louis. This was a very motivating biography. When compared to this man's life, what do we have, in life, to complain about?

Could not put down!

Loved this audio book! Great story and story telling! So unbelievable what atrocities these men survived. Cannot wait to see the motion picture.

True Grit and Strength

What did you love best about Unbroken?

The fact that this is non fiction! The life of Louis Z. is truly unbelievable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

When the prisoners were finally rescued!

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

His voice is so narrative and perfect for this story of adventure, defeat and tribulation.

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

YES!

Any additional comments?

Laura Hillenbrand is a great historical author and I will gladly sharpen my history knowledge with her books! Write more Laura!

great story!!

Absolutely loved it! Didn't want to turn off for even a few minutes. Very well written!!

Great book, definitely worth your time.

This is a great read/listen. Edward Herrman does a fantastic job narrating. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Great book good history

Great book, a lot of history about man's inhumanity to man. A must read for anyone who would like to know the atrocities of war