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)

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.

Will not disappoint

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

The audio is read perfectly bringing to life emotions you may read over.

What other book might you compare Unbroken to and why?

This story is so unbelievable and inspiring you would think it was fiction.

Which scene was your favorite?

You can not pick just one. From beginning to end I was captivated. That said after the opening scene your heart rate will rest for a little while until you return to the pacific scene again. From then on its a great ride.

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

Amazed, sad, angy, inspired, forgiving, etc., all emotions will be invoked during this read.

Any additional comments?

Incredible story told by incredible author. This book will be near the top of my list for a long time.

Inspirational Story

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

Can't put down

What did you like best about this story?

The fact he remembered the promise he made to God to work the rest of his life for Him. He saw great improvements in life, truly inspirational.

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

Definitely

Amazing courage and fortitude

The story was very well written and riveting. Many amazing facts from the war included.

Wonderful Book--and Edward Herrmann!

This is a perfect example of excellent narrative nonfiction and Edward Herrmann did a fantastic job.

Great Story to Hear

This story shows us of the difficultues of War between mankind and struggle of those soldiers that protect our homes. Very heart shaking story but worth the read 100 Million times.

WOW, this might have been the best overall book

Narrator was great, story always left you wanting more. Don't think about this book, get it. Great story of endurance of hardship. You will not regret this book

Amazing story

For me the beginning was slow but interest in the book increased fairly quickly. I would recommend.

Best audio book ever...I was transported to WWII

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

Número UNO

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

All of it...I totally forgot my world and was launched into hers... I could see the war in my imagination like I was right there...now that's writing!

Great book

Amazing story was not able to stop listening
Love every minute , went to see the movie last week but not as good as the book.