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Unbroken
- A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
- Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
- Length: 13 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Military & War
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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.
What the critics say
"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)
More from the same
What listeners say about Unbroken
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- phillip
- 2019-01-24
Unreal Story
This is an insane story that seems too horrific to be true. Should he required reading along with Night, Man’s Search for Meaning, and the Gulag Archipelago. It’s also an insane survival story. Too many things to mentions. I hope everyone enjoys it.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Rempel
- 2019-03-18
Blew My Expectations
Lauren Hillenbrand has crafted a beautiful story of one man's life among the pages of history. I've never been so glued to a story before. There were moments when I laughed and moments when tears rolled down my face. It strengthend my faith in God, and reminded me that nothing I'll ever go through can come close to what these men endured. Edward Herrmann is a joy to listen to, and he deliveres the story in the most captivating manner.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Krysee A.
- 2019-07-22
WOW!
I went into this book blindly on a recommendation and was absolutely captivated. There were several moments when I thought the book must be close to over because there was just no way anything else would happen but there were HOURS remaining!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anneke Leupin
- 2019-03-26
What an incredible story, the sad part is, that it is a true story !
I cannot tell you how much this piece of history affected me. How can so much cruelty exist?
The story was very well narrated.
May this never happen again.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2019-01-01
Worth 5 Credits
Probably the best book I have listened to this year. More than worth the credit.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ryan Blower
- 2018-12-11
Amazing story
The story and narration was so real I felt I was living right beside them.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Willy Ostapowich
- 2018-11-30
Stunning and awe inspiring...
An incredible tale that left me laughing, spellbound, in suspense, hopeful, saddened and then encouraged. What an amazing testimony of life when all seems lost.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- pennycat
- 2022-04-09
An incredibly moving story, excellent narration!!
Everyone should read this book. It will change your perspective on what is going on in your life and in our world at this moment. Narrator is superb - his voice and tone perfectly suited to the themes in the book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Maria Smith
- 2022-03-18
Unreal
This brilliant story is supremely tough to endure, but as a listener you feel compelled to keep going in the honour of the heroes within, particularly Louis. The narrator is a gift to the story and could bring life to a phone book. A must read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Wolf Schlesiger
- 2022-03-17
Long but deeply moving
Highly recommended. A great story told in a straightforward style with compassion and understanding. An inspiring story for anyone who may feel that their burden is too heavy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Janice
- 2010-12-01
Indescribable
This is one of the best told stories I have encountered either in print or as an audible offering. Hillenbrand goes beyond a strict narrative of wartime experiences and transports us into the lives of people we will never know, but feel that we do. Over and over I found myself literally praying for the safety and rescue of Louis and his colleagues, even though obviously the outcomes were decided over 60 years ago - the sense of immediacy was ever present. Intensively researched, the attention to detail successfully avoids the sense of being drowned in statistics, but allows the awareness of "Man, I never knew that". Adding to the story telling experience is Edward Herrmann's flawless reading. I have been strongly recommending this book to all of my friends - one does not have to be a history buff or a fan of war stories to recognize and appreciate the humanity at the center of the story. Anyone who can be inspired by personal courage and perserverance will enjoy this book.
262 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- R. T. Warner
- 2010-11-18
Intoxicating book, I couldn't stop listening
What an amazing tale- unbelievable at times. The spirit and endurance is truly stuff of legends. Well written and captivating, I flew through the book though, admittedly, it was hard at times to continue. I had not listened to many historical war pieces but am very glad I purchased this audiobook. I already have plans to buy at least 2 copies as Christmas gifts for family members.
151 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Annie M.
- 2010-12-01
Hillenbrand could make even laundry fascinating!
This beautifully written, un-put-downable book proves that SEABISCUIT was no fluke: Laura Hillenbrand is simply a fine writer. In her capable hands, drying laundry could no doubt be turned into a Pulitzer Prize-winning tome. Thank the heavens that her prodigious talent found such a compelling tale. You cannothelp but love this beautifully written, wonderfully narrated tale of an American fighter pilot who sruvives--and thrives--under the worst that World War II can throw at him. I also had my eyes opened to the grim realities faced by American POWs in Japan. It inspired in me an enormous new respect for my dad and his generation. "Unbreakable" is the perfect name for this brilliant book--I could not take a break from devouring this incredible story.
100 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Richard
- 2010-11-21
Epic war saga
This is a good book about WW2 and some of the experiences of downed pilots and POW's of the Japanese. It is well told and I put it right there with Bridge over the river Kwai. Can be depressing at times as it deals with POW's and brutality to them. Worth a credit though if you have an interest in this genre.
84 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Andy
- 2011-03-09
i cried
The combination of words and wonderful narration of this book made me feel as if I was there. While this was a heartbreaking story, it was a real reminder of the brutality of war.
23 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- 20eagle16
- 2010-11-26
BUY THIS AUDIO BOOK
The author of the book Seabiscuit (Laura Hillenbrand), once again, delivers a great read (or in this case, listen). The narrator, Edward Hermann, turns in a world-class performance.
Like another reviewer, Jeffrey from Georgia, I found myself wondering why I had not heard about Louie Zamperini before now. After listening to this saga, it truly seems impossible.
The book relates how Mr. Zamperini when asked about his ordeal responded (and I paraphrase), ..."if I knew then what I know now, I would have killed myself". The story truly leaves one wondering how he ever got through it all. And, if you ever had any doubt in your mind as to whether or not we should have dropped the atomic bomb, as awful as it was, your doubts, I believe, will be gone after listening to this book.
I do not understand the one and two star ratings. Most of the reviews on the internet are far and away five-star ratings, and the book is deserving of same. I found that the book at times left me angry and my stomach tied in knots because of what Louie Zamperini and the other POWs had to suffer through, but that speaks of the strength of this author. This book is easily a candidate for an epic movie.
Do yourself a favor: purchase and listen to this audio book.
142 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- JerryL
- 2010-11-16
The best audiobook I have ever heard
I bought this book on a whim, as it turns out, it has been the best audiobook purchase I have ever made. The writing is absolutely incredible. Edward Herrmann's reading is absolutely flawless.
This book is a must, I give it a 10 star rating!
212 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Michael
- 2010-11-22
Unbroken by Laura Hillendbrand
Excellent book but better people than I already said it was.
It is obvious that the author did a great deal of research making the imminence details of the people in the book. Story kept me interested the entire time I was listening to it. At times it made me feel that I was almost right there partaking in events. A great deal of emotion was brought out especially describing the time in prison camps and how it effected the prisoners some for the remainder of their lives regretfully.
My Dad was in the Navy in WWII he made it home but as a broken man and used alcoholic to deal with his demons. Thank you for a surreal look into these young mens lives and the details of terrible effect the War had on them. At age 13 in 1961, I can remember my Dad waking from a sound sleep in the middle of the night, yelling help get those guys out of there. Very sad, I am sure his life would have been much different if he had not his experiences in the War. Even today, I find it difficult to believe people refuse to respect and try to understand how the horrific events that happened to these young men coming from a War Theater of today.
127 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- DEBORAH A GAGNE
- 2010-11-24
Wow! It's all I can say....
Inspiring and horrific - captivating and devastating. It brought me to tears so many times and as I listened I actually found myself wincing in sympathetic pain and smiling at the little victories. God Bless Louie and all the brave souls that sacrificed so much. This isn't a book to just listen to, it's an experience that shouldn't be passed up.
104 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Jeffrey Wieseman
- 2010-11-23
Great book
This book has helped me realize, I don't read enough non-fiction. I had to remind myself at times that this was a true story. Makes one wonder how the story of Louie Zamperini???s dramatic life was not already told.
80 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Komeil Saeedabadi
- 2019-03-12
A Story that Fills the Heart with Hope
There are two unique features to this awe-inspiring biography that kept me engaged to every word, first the extraordinary resilience of Zamperini and his wonderful life journey and secondly, the way every word was masterfully selected by the writer to further immortalize his account.
