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)

A must have

Having briefly known Lou Zamparini growing up in Hollywood I was amazed when I picked up the book and saw Laura Hillenbrand had written about his life. To us kids he was a champion but he never talked about his experiences much. It is a wonderful book that is powerful and riveting. Well narrated, I was disappointed when the ride was over.

Unbelievable

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

I have not read the print version, so I couldn't compare. I can only say that this version had me hooked from the get go.

What other book might you compare Unbroken to and why?

None.

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

Louie and Phil

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

Yes. Every time I thought, "Okay, we will start slowing down...." It just kept getting better.

Any additional comments?

I found my self captivated by the story and the details were beyond belief. My heart broke at times imagining all those young men and the trials they faced. They grew up fast and some not at all. With family in the military over seas now, it hit home.

How a person's inner steel can hold one together

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

I enjoyed the narration as well as the story of resistance, resilience and reward.

What did you like best about this story?

The story taught the need to gain personal well being by forgiving one's enemies.

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

Yes, and I always enjoy Herrmann's work.

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

There were many moments of delight, despair and triumph.

Any additional comments?

I was somewhat unaware of the treatment of POW's by the Japanese during WWII and was appalled by my ignorance.

Very compelling listen

You will not regret purchasing this audiobook. Simply one of the best I've ever listened to!

Unbroken: a story that must be read

One of the greatest stories I have read, on a par with Uncle Tom's Cabin and Operation Mincemeat. As a World War ll aficionado, I found this story engaging, absorbing, and uplifting. Thank heavens for all the Louis Zamporini's that gave their all for our country.

The Ultimate Life of Survival

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

This has got to be one of the best books I have ever read. What a story of survival and God's love. God was watching after this man for sure. The writer has an incredible talent and the narrator takes you through this journey with the characters giving you the feeling of being right there with these men. If you don't read this book you are missing out.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

The two words his speaks when he says. "I'm free"!

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

Louis

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

The whole book about his persistence

A remarkable story!

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

I love historical fiction but this was one of my first biographies. I would rank it pretty high because it made me want to research more books about WWII and also biographies.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character because it's a biography and the story revolves around him and his trials. It would be impossible to dislike his character.

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

The Bird

Non-fiction that reads like a good novel

The story itself is an amazing one. So incredible, it would be tough to swallow as fiction. It is all the more interesting because of the way Hillenbrand brings it alive. Facts are woven into the narrative in a way that enhances the story without becoming tiring. I love pure history, but this really is a great narrative with good history thrown in. It is also such an uplifting tale about how to overcome adversity, I am trying to get my kids to read it.

Unbroken is RIGHT!

If you like stories of inspiration thru trial and perseverance, then Unbroken is for you. I grew up in the south bay area of LA in the 1960's-70's and never heard of Samporini and his great successes, trials, dis-pare and redemption. This is one of THE great WWII stories and brings home that perseverance of spirit and soul conquers all. Now, I'll never forget him or this story.

great listen

what a great story of life, freedom, and forgiveness. I would have liked to have met this man in this life. I look forward to meeting him in the next