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)

Wonderful story

Awesome loved it. Never knew this side of pacific war!! Recommended!! I am new to reading books and this definitely keeps me more hooked to listen more

Incredible story!

Such an incredible story. My father was s B-17 bombardier in the European theater and this book reaffirms to me they truly were the Greatest Generation. God forbid anyone have to endure what these men did.

Outstanding

Very informative and enjoyable
Would highly recommend this audio book. I am now tempted to read the book

A must read!

Nothing bad to say about this book! First time I've actually spent the time to write a review. Loved it!

Wow

I moved through this story quicker than I ever thought possible. I just had to hear what happened next. The story is well written and I loved E. Herrmann's narration, he helped bring it to life! This is a must read.

Love this book

Great narrator but excellent story. This books brought me laughs and tears. Highly recommend it

Fantastic and Heartwarming!

Would you consider the audio edition of Unbroken to be better than the print version?

I have not read the book, but the audio edition was great. Edward Herrmann is a wonderful narrator. I felt like I got to know the characters so well and the story was so riveting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Louie of course. He truly is a symbol of the human spirit. Both his physical endurance, emotional strength and his ability to forgive makes him a true hero.

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

Louie

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

A riveting story about human strength, endurance and forgiveness!

Physically, emotionally and Spiritually moving

Author and narrator outstanding. The true story, simply amazing
Highly recommend reading Great appreciation for the costly freedom we enjoy.

Great. story

This was my first book. The narrator was great lots of emotions. Just a great book too listen to.

Thoroughly enjoyed it

We all know a narrator can make or break an audio book and this one is well done. This is a remarkable story that kept me captivated.