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)

Make another Movie…Part 2

I think a second movie depicting the end of Louie’s life and of his salvation should be released to the world. This book could be used to guide the true story. Ty for such a wonderful writing of WW2 POW’S!

Inspiring!

One of the best stories that I’ve ever listened to. I highly recommend this book. The story is inspiring, the writing and narration fantastic.

My New Favorite

I have had a Audible for years, and I have never felt compelled to write a review until now. What an incredible story! This book was so captivating, so well written, so well read. JUST WOW I’m listening to this book again.

The power of the human spirit

The story telling was spell binding and the words took me to vivid images of each experience. A great read for all.

Amazing

I cannot say enough good about this book. I’m mad nobody made me listen to it sooner.

Amazing!

This story will give you chills! The work that the author put in is evident, nothing but the facts. It’s heartbreaking!

Great story

One of my favorite war stories. Have read the book and own the movie. Love that this version goes into so much more detail post war. Highly recommend

Great story, very detailed

I appreciated all the research and details that went into the story, including the historical context and stories of Louis’ comrades.

Amazing story, wonderful narration

I loved everything about this production. The true story was so detailed and interesting, and the reader was wonderful to listen to.

Filled with information and sheer willpower!

Louis Zamperini’s endurance is amazing, but it’s also a tremendous testament to all the surviving POWs. The world information included in the book is substantial and eye-opening. And Edward Herrmann’s reading incredible.