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!

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

Really enjoyed this performance. Loved the story - had me from the first chapter and continued throughout.

Wow!

What an Easter story! Here is a man who was a vague admirer of Christ who became a follower. Wonderful!

Fantastic story of human endurance

Terrific true story that proved the capability of human endurance. Inspiring in many ways. The narration was wonderful and it was difficult to stop listening at times. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

INSPIRING

This book was recommended by a friend. Parts were painful to listen to,
But so worthwhile as it has inspired me to be reborn in God's grace and love.

Great story of courage and strength

Loved listening to the story of an American Olympic hero who sacrificed so much for our country. If you liked the movie you will thoroughly enjoy this extended verdion of things the movie didnt show.

Unbroken - The Best Story Every

What did you love best about Unbroken?

The fact that's a true story and the ending is FANTASTIC

Any additional comments?

I'm not someone that thinks the last book I read is my favorite book. I've had one favorite book for the past 25 years until Unbroken. The book and the story is amazing. The ending is fantastic and unexpected in more ways than one. I read the book first and then listened to it on audio.

Amazing Story!!

War stories are not my typical read, but this book was recommended to me so I gave it a try. I could not stop listening!!! Of the hundreds of books I have read and listened to, this may very well be the best book I have ever listened to. I completely recommend this book!!

Incredible!!!

By far the best book I have ever listened to!! The story was incredibly well written and the narrator was fabulous!!! I was truly inspired by Louie's story and the life choices he made following excruciating circumstances.

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!