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)

Couldn't stop listening...

An amazing read. My husband and I couldn't stop listening to this one. You don't have to be a WWII history buff to appreciate this book. Very well told in vivid detail.

Why haven't we heard of this amazing man before??

I am having my two teenagers listen to this book. It gives a real look at what the soldiers of WW2 faced on a daily basis. Just AMAZING how they came through it all. The author keeps the story going and you don't want to stop listening.

More than inspiring

This is an exceptional story told with exceptional skill about an exceptional person. Louis "Louie" Zamperini's life is inspiring, but that's not all this book has to offer. It's also a commentary on the American immigration experience, a narrative on the WWII soldier and the impact of war on the individual, a horror story on the sufferings of a POW, and a cautionary tale of the impact on returning to normalcy. The author's personal story is also inspiring, making this a near perfect experience. I don't "gush" about anything, but I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Surprisingly captivating

What made the experience of listening to Unbroken the most enjoyable?

I started listening to Unbroken for my book club, but was captivated by the story. I was afraid it was going to be gruesome and emotionally draining due to the topic, but Linda Hillenbrand makes this an amazing story, that although horrific in many of the events, is told in a way that makes it mesmerizing and hard to put down. Anyone who has an interest in history, world war II or even sports will find this an inspirational story.

Life-changing Story

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

Yes. It would be tough. But I would do it. It's one of those books where you realize that there are real-life people who are like the heroes read about in fiction books. They take knock after knock and keep getting up. Louie was that guy. And his story is amazing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

One of the most memorable moments to me was on the life raft. The three men were trying to simply survive the elements. They got hit with one challenge after another and just when you think they cannot get any weaker or they'll die. They get attacked by sharks! The writing in this particular part gave me chills. When the sharks rubbed their backs along the bottom of the boat, I imagined how it would feel knowing the only thing separating you from this man-eating beast is a piece of vinyl.

Have you listened to any of Edward Herrmann’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

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

It made me cry. A lot. It affected me. I had to take a break at one point. For days. I had to give myself a pep talk to get back to it. It was that moving.

Any additional comments?

The movie did not do Louie's life or this book justice.

Absolutely one of the best I've heard...

This is a remarkable story that will strike your soul. I usually am hesitant of any books longer than 8 or 9 hours, but I kept wanting more of this one. It held my interest completely and I looked forward to my 35 minute commute to work. It also gave me a greater understanding and respect for my father who served in the Vietnam war. My grandfathers brother, still to this day, will not speak about his experience in WWII. It is too painful for him. I have a greater respect for him as well.

Awesome

I didn't think I'd ever enjoy a "war book" being a girly-girl - but this is so much more - simply one of the best books I've ever listened to. Character development was supreme and the story - because it's true - even more amazing. The narrator was first class. I high recommend this book!

Excellent, period

I do believe it is the best book I have ever experienced. Undaunted Courage and Endurance are about a group of men. Unbroken is about one man. Very inspring. Thank you Ms. Hilenbrand for working through your tiredness to deliver such a wonderful work.

Facinating Book

I was so taken in by this story that I found myself thinking about it all of the time. I would tell my young children about parts of it that were so amazing to me that I couldn't keep them to myself. The facts about the war and details of Mr. Zamporini's life were very well incorporated into the book. The resilience of the human spirit, and the ability to forgive are so beautifully portrayed. Awesome book that I will recommend to everyone I know.

Another 5 stars * * * * *

I knew nothing of this story. All the time that it sat in my wishlist, I thought it was fictional. I got it because I'd hoped it would be easier to listen to than the 20+hr books of history that I usually listen to. I wasn't disappointed. I heard it all in 5 days...and I was surprised by how much history I learned by it, which I wasn't expecting. Nicolas Cage will be playing Louis in the upcoming movie of this book...I sure do hope they do it right. This audio is definitely worth your credit....one of the best I've ever listened to.