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 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.

Resilience

The thorough investigation of the events was impressive. I learned a lot from this book. I had no idea about the treatment of Japanese citizens. There is always hope. Family is important in keeping hope alive. Good can overcome fear, despair and evil.

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.

Outstanding!

This account of the men in WWll POW camps was heart wrenching. From beginning to end, I was absolutely captivated. The way the story follows the life of Louis Zamperini is impeccable. This isn’t the genre I usually go for, but I’m so glad I listened to this book. This will stick with me for a lifetime. A must listen!

Amazing Story

This is truly an incredible story of suffering, survival, and forgiveness. The movie did not even come close to how great this book is. Totally worth the read.

The incredible will of Louis to survive his ordeals, not many could live up to his resilience.

Had to suppress a resentment of how former Japanese officers were given pardons with the crimes they had committed against against humanit

Amazing story of grit, survival and forgiveness.

Amazing story of grit, survival and forgiveness. I appreciated the history embedded in its pages and took away many lessons for myself.

Wow!

Great read (listen). Non stop. Literally. The book gives you so many more great details than the movie. A must listen.

War is gruesome....

War is gruesome.... and more than half of this book is just that. Edward Hermann did a terrific job narrating it. Not an easy read... would not recommend it to the faint of heart!