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)

So inspiring!

I'm sure it's been said of this boo 199 times before but Louie Zamporini's story was nothing short of amazing. It made me realize that the things that have happened in my life, I can survive with courage and good spirits too.

insightful informative historical account

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

no...only because I've retained the historical benefit it articulates

What other book might you compare Unbroken to and why?

n/a

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

seeing how this was historical they were all linked.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

experience the power of unfettered determination and positive thinking trumping resignation and surrender of ones will to live

Gripping!

Definately a story not to be missed! If you believe the Greatest Generation deserves credit for you own moral compass, you need to listen to this story that contributes to the understanding of it all.
The author did an excellent job researching the period and his life. Certainly kept my attention for the 6+ hour story. Hated when it ended. Hope she'll look for more hero's to focus on in her next books!

Incredible!!!

I remained captivated by such a great story, wonderful performance and inspiringly talented author. WOW!

Fabulous

This was one of my top 3 favorite books ever!! I counted stop listening and it was so hard to imagine it was a true story. I wish I could now speak to my uncle about his war experiences, but he has passed on, taking his stories with him.

Expands knowledge of what one can survive and why

This fascinating story captivated me and my husband. The survival experiences were unbelievably horrific, but the character development given by the author helped the reader understand how it was possible.
Louis Zamperini is quite a guy, and he taught us a lot about what it is to survive and prosper.

A must listen

I downloaded this based on a suggestion from somewhere, don't remember where. I was enthralled at the story and the details that were conveyed in the book. It's hard to imagine what Louis went through and the will he must have had to survive it all. The narrator was outstanding and the research had to be right on.

My father fought in WWII and earned a purple heart, but I have no "first hand" stories since he died of cancer when I was an infant. My uncle was killed at Iwo Jima and I have no more personal information on that battle. I am now very motivated to start researching what he must have gone through. Thanks for the story and telling the history from a "first hand" point of view!

Great story

This kept me going the whole time. An amazing story. Just one day of this persons life will make your daily problems small in comparison.

Incredible

I was so afraid this story would be hard to listen to, but it was not. I thought it would be too graphic, but it told the story, made you ache, but did it in a way that even a person made easily queasy could listen too. It was very moving, heart wrenching and inspiring. It makes you appreciate our men in uniform even more - if that is possible. An excellent book.

"Resilience and Survival" are an Understatemment

As I began listening to the book, I thought - oh no, not another book about an athlete and his path to the Olympics and how he uses his training to become an outstanding soldier!" But, I was totally enthralled with the story. Hard to believe that men (and women) can be so ingenious, have such a deep will to live and maintain their dignity. This book was a real eye-opener. I have started asking my 85 year old mother about my dad's (deceased) service in Japan as an MP during WWII. I would have never thought to delve so deeply into this part of their lives without listening to Unbroken!!! So happy to see Louie honored at the USC football game that was televised. It was like seeing a beloved uncle. I wanted to stand and salute him and tell him "thank you" for my the freedom that I cherish today!
I plan to fly my American flag on 11-11-11 with a whole new insight and on into the weekend!