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)

amazing

several times didn't want to get out of the car I was so riveted by the story...sign of a great book...wonderfully narrated

Interesting tale

Quite a story. I won't repeat previous reviewers. I didn't give it 5 stars for 2 reasons; first of all the writing is a little bit simplistic in parts. Second I found out that he wrote a book about the whole story himself. Why does Hillenbrand have to tell it again?

FABULOUS!

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

I haven't read the printed version....I have seen the book...The book does have pictures of many of those mentioned in the book.

What did you like best about this story?

ALL of it! I am not one to listen to or read a book about soldiers/ war etc. But I have to say, wow wow wow. The writing of the story was top notch, the reading was impeccable by the great Edward Herrmann...I had a hard time putting my Mp3 player down.

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

Yes, I have. Every book that I have listened to that Mr. Herrmann reads has been fabulous.

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

Yes, it was...but alas...life goes on. I will most definitely listen to this book again.

Any additional comments?

I checked out the print book from the library so my husband can read it...he is not an 'audio book kind of guy'...lol That is how much I was impressed by the story.

Fascinating story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It is a good mix of detail and action. However the book has a lot of unpleasant historical details and some may be too wordy for those looking for action, and too much for younger listeners. For me it was great.

Did Edward Herrmann do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I did not notice any attempts at accents, but the narration has been faultless. Mr Hermann has a very pleasant voice and has used just the right dramatic intensity versus sensitivity. I have not really noticed anything which is just how it should be. I feel like I am reading the story.

Great novel even for a typical fiction fan

This novel exceeded my expectations. I'm typically strictly a fiction reader but got talked into this book. It is very well written. It's a horrifying yet inspirational story.

Moving

An incredible story about one man's WWII POW experience. What's even more incredible is that there are literally thousands of similar stories, which will never be told. This generation will take with them to the grave the horrors they say, the funny experiences they had, and the tears they shed. Bravo to Hillenbrand for taking the time to show us what these men went through, lived with and died for.

A life well lived

Riveting story of "The Greatest of These is Love!!!“ Lived it, highly recommend this title!

Beautiful

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

Unbelievable Heartbreaking Beautiful

What did you like best about this story?

I thought it was an amazing story all around. Some of it seemed like it might have been slightly "enhanced" but it didn't take away from the fact that these men endured unbelievable odds in service to their country.

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

I did cry, several times. This is a book that gives you a glimmer of what these men felt; their struggles, and their triumphs.

Great story

Louis Zamparini thank you so much for your service! You and all the gentleman of World War 1 & 2, we couldn't ask for better service men to honor our country. Word can't say enough! Americans appreciate your story and what you have endured and done for us thank you!!!!!

Unforgettable

Couldn't put it down until the end. This was an incredible story of the war that most people never new or have forgotten.