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 Book

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

It was emotional

What was one of the most memorable moments of Unbroken?

When the prisoners were at the river and the American plane signaled the war was over.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the Americans dropped supplies and food to the prisoners.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

This book was so captivating that at times I wanted to quit reading it because I didn't want the prisoners or Louie to endure anymore punishment. After I read the book I went on the Internet to learn more about Louis Zamperini. Laura Hillenbrand hits the mark with this book. Can't wait for the movie.

What a story!!!

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

The story just kept getting more unbelievable as it went on. I found myself looking forward to each listening session more and more as the book went on.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character and subject of the book obviously.

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

Edward Hermann is a true professional and his delivery is flawless.

OK if you're into this.

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

Yes, because it is a real story, war is a horrific thing. It needs to be remembered & ANZAC Day, Veteran's Day Armistice Day become too festive (IMO). Books like this tell it like it was. There is no romanticizing of the ideals, it was awful, it should never be repeated, but it will be.

What did you like best about this story?

Honest, sometimes brutal.

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

Yes when the subject met his tormentor again

Any additional comments?

Don't buy this expecting a romantic war epic. It is hard work, but well worth listening to.

Inspiring

What a wonderful story! I was apprehensive about the content at first, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. The story was told in such a captivating manner. Highly recommend to others!

WOW!

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

Being able to "read" while driving. I loved that it is broken out by chapters so I could find my place in my book when I was back home.

Riveting story!

Loved it! could not lay it down! very inspiring!
Narrator did a great job!
Highly recomend!

Amazing, life changing story

I heard about unbroken, like many others, when the movie for it came out. I remember watching the trailer around when it was still in theaters, and my uncle (who is an air force veteran) highly encouraged me to read this book. I have to say I was 1000x more impressed than I assumed I would be. The audiobook was absolutely fantastic, and it was great to listen to on long rides in the car, or just at home in my free time. After finishing, I watched the movie. And my oh my does it do this amazing book no justice. This is an awesome life-changing story, and if you're looking for a great book, this is it.

Touching story

My father fought in WWII. I never understood his feelings about the Japanese. I do now

If you EVER think your life is hard...

...then listen to this audiobook

A single man survived more stress, rigor, trauma, in 2.5 years than most families experience in 3 generations.

Inspiring! Hard to put down! Brilliant story!

From beginning to end, this story inspires! The author kept your attention with vivid detail.