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)

Can't put it down

Great story of a true hero. I could not stop listening.
Amazing how he keep going through it all all

Incredibly Moving

This book is worth reading and re-reading again. Zamperini's story is enormously inspiring. I feel a renewed sense of incredible gratitude for life after reading this book as well. It really put me in touch with my feelings of love for life and hope for those who are in extremely adverse situations in life.

Amazing writer, incredible story, powerful narration

I will read anything Laura Hillenbrand writes. Amazingly thorough research, compelling prose, amazing grasp of details. Very moving and inspiring true story. Edward Herrmann feels like a perfect narrator for this, as well. He has the gravitas and the generational chops to do it. I highly recommend this version of the book.

Excellent

This book was excellent, the Narrator did a fantastic job telling this amazing story. I had no idea of the # of casualties that we lost in training let alone those lost in battle. I'm grateful to those who have served, and continue to serve. I'm proud of Mr. Zamperini for enduring such hardships and coming out the other side able to forgive and move forward.

Puts the reader right in WWII

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

I would and probably will listen again. Have been so anxious to hear the next part, that I will need to listen again to catch all the details

What did you like best about this story?

The development of the characters, whether you like them or not. And when I have emotions about a character, I know the author has managed to write them well. The narration is superb.

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

Of course Louie as the primary character must be a favorite. But Phil may be the most easily liked.

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

The whole range of emotions are tapped with this book. Since I haven't finished it yet, there is more to experience I am sure. Laugh , cry, become angry etc feel it all with this story.

loved it, it filled me with deep emotions.

it filled me with deep emotions. I can't understand how men could be so unkind to each other. But the love of God never failed.

Amazing!

Thank you for everything you endured for my freedom. The nation owes you some much more.

Truly Astounding and Ultimately Inspiring

This book as most every book does takes the reader deeper and more intimately into the life being portrayed. The truth of the Japanese brutality was uncovered for all to see. How he survived this is simply incredulous. The greatest generation experienced things no one should ever have to again. The true power of forgiveness was revealed as well. Even though the harsh conditions that they survived in were delved out by other humans, they endured and were able to find the peace that forgiveness brings.
The narration was also amazingly done. A book to keep forever.

Some stores prove life affirming

It's incredible to think that an account such as this could be real, but it proves that life often has more incredulous twists and turns in it than a fictional story. Powerful stuff, and well written.

Amazing story

Listened straight through! Couldn't put this one down!!! An amazing story of survival and redemption!