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)

I needed to remember

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

Read/listen to this book. It is worth your time and attention.Tobi

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

Yes,

Any additional comments?

I didn't know anything about the POW camps in Japan. I didn't know anything about the flying program in WWII. I just assumed that the Americans were awesome flying men, and our planes were the best there was. The truth of circumstances during WWII was staggering to me at the loss of life through negligence, incompetence and poorly built and ill equipped plans. I knew the Japanese had been unbelievable cruel but until this book, I really had no idea. I do think it is important that we remember about the past. I loved how this book ended with forgiveness and redemption. Not so much for the guards but for the ones who suffered so at their hands. I could hardly put this book down. It was so incredible and so well written. I loved the easy cadence of the reader. He did not need to add emphasis to any of the book. The writer magnificently wrote the facts with such a hugh emotional impact.

One of the best audiobooks ever!!!!!!

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and narrated by Edward Herrmann touched me beyond belief. I felt a bond to those men from oh so long ago. I felt their pain and anguish as well as their moments of happiness. I'm a 38 year old Navy vet who lost two great uncles in the pacific during WWII. Men I never knew, but I think this book drew them closer to me. I had tears streaming down my face more than once. I will never forget what these brave men went through. Never, never, never.......................

Absolutely Amazing!

How can an individual go through so much and keep going? I didn't want to quit listening. I've finished and gone back for seconds. I haven't really been much for history, but this book has me hooked and looking for other WWII stories. Although, I think I will only be disappointed in others after listening to this one. AWESOME!!

Powerful, moving, interesting, informative

What did you love best about Unbroken?

Unbroken moved me to tears on numerous occasions thoughout the book, which is not at all typical of an audiobook experience for me. Powerful story, powerfully written, pitch perfect narration.

What other book might you compare Unbroken to and why?

This book really isn't comparable to anything else I've read or listened to. Non-fiction that unfolds like a dramatic novel, and gets away with implausibility that would be preposterous in fiction because the events actually happened.

Which scene was your favorite?

The track races were told as if you we watching them live, really top notch.

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

I didn't want to stop listening, but doing so was probably for the best. It would be too emotionally exhausting all in one shot.

Any additional comments?

I strongly suggest you listen to this book.

You will not be disappointed

This book, like many others, proves that truth is, indeed, stranger than fiction. The story is told gracefully, but at a good pace, and the narrator is excellent. I believe this is a timeless story that will appeal to anyone, whatever age or gender. I plan to purchase it on CD as a gift for a relative.

Best Book I've Read All Year (And Last!)

What did you love best about Unbroken?

The writing is artful, yet simple. She is an extremely gifted author, yet she hides it in the story. She doesn't patronize you with it, she enraptures you with the story and when you are finished and you are reflecting on the book, her talent hots you like a refreshing wave. I can hardly wait until her next book. By the way, I should probably let everyone know, I'm NOT related to her is any way. My review almost sounds like I'm her publisher, She's just really good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

The ending was a surprise. I won't give it away, but I loved the ending the very best.

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

He is always a consistently outstanding reader.

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

It wasn't a moment as much as a process. I could feel the inner battle going on inside. Survival physically was tough, the mental and emotional war was impossible. He is truly a great man.

Any additional comments?

You know how they have chick-flicks? Well, this is a guys book. Women might enjoy it, but men will love it. Warning: It could be a sensitive, embarrassing, and even offensive book to those who are Japanese. After reading it, I decided not to give it to a Japanese friend of mine. Sure, it's historically accurate, but not a happy memory for Japan.

Don't miss this one!

Best book I've "read" in years. Couldn't put it down. I've recommended it to everyone I know with the same responses after they have "read" it. Narrator was the best for the story.

Incredible, uplifting, gripping!!

This is a true story of a man's life and struggle against the odds in WW-2. His refusal to buckle in the face of unspeakable cruelty and the aftermath it caused in his life is a testimonial to strength of character and superhuman determination.

A Tale of Two Truths

The story of Louis Zamperini reminds us all that freedom is NOT free. It also reminds us that grace IS free. The making, testing, refining, winnowing and deliverance of an incredible man is told between those two truths. This is an amazing, riveting, well-written story. I am not usually a non-fiction reader but bought this on the strength of Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit. There is not a disappointing paragraph in this book. The depth and breadth of the research is breath-taking. But do not take that to say that this book is a dry recitation of facts. I came away feeling that I had met Mr. Zamperini and his amazing compatriots. Do not miss this great book!

Unbelievably Riveting Story

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

Hillenbrand did a great job bringing historical facts, subject's life stories, and world events together to bring the reader (listener) back to this time period in such a way that I now feel connected to Louis. Great story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

Louis and his friend Phil waiting on the rafts for rescue as they float through the doldrums in the pacific ocean.

What does Edward Herrmann bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Herrmann does a great job reading the story in such a way that you don't feel like you're actually listening to a book.

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

Absolutely.