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)

Unforgettable

Any additional comments?

Here is a story of unfathomable courage. We see the brute carnage of war, the ability of the human spirit to become in humane and monstrous and we see evil incarnate.
In response we see a response of survival which stands against the odds of physical and moral destruction. It is a difficult and wonderful story!!

Great Story and excellent narration

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

The story had a nice flow to it, and managed not to get too slow coving the span of time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Louie of course.

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

He really didn't do too many voice characterizations, but pretty much read the book. He did however, have very pleasing voice and diction to listen to. One of the best narrators I have listened to.

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

No. I have read and listened to a lot of war books, so I wasn't really shocked that much by the brutality. The events pretty much reenforced the things I have read in the past. Humans can be some cruel and also resilient beings.

Any additional comments?

Great book. The author obviously did some very in-depth and thorough research. Well done, and complimented by superior narration.

Heartwrenching - must read

Moving story of great heros and their unbelievable plight during World War Two. God bless.

Incredible, gripping story of redemption!

I have never been more inspired through a story before - the courage and resilience demonstrates during wartime... to be followed by the peace found in God and the power of His love and forgiveness.

AWESOME

Not only is it a wonderful story, it is read beautifully and will make you feel like you are in the past with them. Warning it is a tear jerker

One of the best reads ever

I liked every aspect of this book. A skillful telling of a fantastic story. I really enjoyed the performance from Edward. Unlike "sniper" the presenter had no fake accents, no fake intonation, just a pure reading. Well done. I'll read this again! Thank you Laura. I have to find out about sea biscuit now. Which was right up there with flying to Neptune until now.

Amazing

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

The author created a easy to follow story of this amazing man. This man's story is so amazing it is hard to believe. Louie is a someone you like from the very start. His war experience in the POW camps is gut wrenching. I highly recommend the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Louie

Which scene was your favorite?

His return home after being imprisoned in the Japanese POW camps.

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

I was horrified by the cruelty of the POW camps and what the men had to endure.

Any additional comments?

Great book!

Brilliant

Expertly researched and beautifully written. Unflinching but unsensational. I could not stop listening. Great narration as well. An incredible record of a mans life.

Completely consuming and inspiring

Would you listen to Unbroken again? Why?

I couldn't because I became emotionally involved

What did you like best about this story?

Louie's unending perserverance for life

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

his narration style was as if he was a first hand witness during Louie's time

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

being shot at while fending off sharks and praying

Any additional comments?

everyone will be inspired one way or another

Amazing.

This is the most amazing story of resilience. A must read/listen.
Goosebumps. Tears. All the feels. So so so good.