Book Description
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 new 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.
Customer Reviews
The Best! By seemas
There are a lot of very good, very in depth reviews of this book so I'll keep it short. This is the best book I have ever read. An epic story of an epic man.
Great Read By psufaniniowa
I am telling everyone I know to read this book - I really was never much of a history reader, nor memoirs/biographies, but this book is just captivating from start to finish. Trying to put myself back in this time, going through his life of blessings and curses, and in then end finding peace - it should be able to give everyone comfort and strength to endure anything you might be dealling with, and know you can overcome.
Harrowing and Uplifting By customer (St. Louis)
I can sum this book up in one word: harrowing. I had no idea how difficult the troops had it in the Pacific arena. This story will horrify you and make you want to cheer (for our POWs) at the same time. There are clear heroes and villains in this book, but nothing is expected!
Unbroken: history, drama, redemption By Steve Missal (Scottsdale, Arizona United States)
I give an absolute five stars for this book; it is difficult to put down once you have begun, and anyone familiar with WWII will see this as a goldmine of anecdotes and details that help flesh out the grainy black and white movies we are used to watching about that era. I especially liked the way in which actual combat and prison camp life were portrayed. A very good book for a history and bio home library.
Look at all the 5 star reviews By LightningRod (Canada)
This story has almost everything. The life of Louis Zamperini, the subject of the book, even had a brief encounter with Adolf Hitler at the 1936 summer Olympics in Berlin. Hard to believe it took this long to retell this incredible human drama. But fortunately the right author got a hold of it first to tell it. That would be Laura Hillenbrand. Her literary chops are absolutely smoking in this tale.
The B-25 that Zamperini was the bombardier for in the Pacific Theatre of World War 2, ditch in the Pacific Ocean from mechanical failure. With two other survivors of the crash they drifted for 47 days miraculously surviving countless shark attacks and a strafing from hostile Japanese aircraft on their air inflated dingy.
Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were a castaway like Tom Hanks was in "Castaway?" If you saw that movie, Hank's character drew a face on a volley ball and he talked to it, "Wilson." In the vast Pacific, Zamperini talked to God. Zamperini made "a deal" with God that if he survived his ordeal, he would devote his life back to the God who saves. Wouldn't most of us say that? The rest of the story unfolds in such a way that I kept turning the pages transfixed as to how Zamperini got out of the next predicament. Those destructive forces, continued at least psychologically, with Zamperini back safely on American soil.
There is a picture of Louis Zamperini in the home of Billy Graham from the September 2011 edition of Decision magazine with Billy holding this book. Read this book and discover this mysterious connection. Buy it, and learn how it is possible to forgive someone who tries to destroy you. One of the best books I've ever read.
A Great Read By Dr. J. J. Kregarman (Denver, Colorado United States)
UNBROKEN is an appropriate title for the story of Louis Zamperini's life; although LUCKY AND UNBROKEN would be equally appropriate, for at critical points in his life he was indeed saved by events well beyond his personal control. This is not to denigrate Louis's own strength of character, but to name just one fortunate instance, if the war with Japan had not ended how it did and when it did, Louis would doubtlessly have been killed.
The last mentioned major piece of luck was Louis's attendances at a California Billy Graham crusade where he was able to shed his inner demons and find the inner peace to rededicate his life as a Christian.
UNBROKEN at its best, though, is far from a standard Christian tract with its standard vision of salvation. Louis's history is raw, exciting, and gripping. He, Mac, and Phil's story of survival on a raft floating on the ocean is better than an action movie. His experiences as a POW were horrific. The hatred many (particularly in China) still feel towards the Japanese of WWII - a hatred I heard repeatedly expressed during a trip to that country - well earned. The lack of effective treatment for former POWs (and Holocaust survivors) was unfortunate. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can indeed be debilitating and perhaps even, as in Louis's case, amplified by fame. A very worthwhile book on all counts.
One of the most stunning books of the year By liat2768 (dallas)
I read this book in two days flat and I know that, had I had the time, I would have read it in one sitting. This is a book that grips you, draws you in and leaves you feeling a slightly better person for having read it.
The story is that of Louie Zamperini - a track and field star of the 1930's, who participated in the Berlin olympics, was part of the US air force in WWII, was shot down over the ocean, was adrift in the Pacific for over a month, was held as a POW by the Japanese forces and finally made it back to his life and has had the courage to live it to its fullest.
Hillenbrand is a marvellous author. I was never tempted to read Seabiscuit and this was my first introduction to her work. She is one of a few authors who can write a non fiction story in the most gripping and vivid way imaginable. Instead of being flowery or overly embellished her prose relies squarely on research and on witness accounts and yet manages to never be dull. The swiftly moving story takes the reader from Zamperini's early beginnings, his swift rise to track star, the Berlin olympics and then to the World War. This is where the story really blooms. Hillenbrand settles in for the long haul here and we get to see the air force and the B24 bombers through the words of the men who actually flew them. The sequences where Zamperini and his friend Phil are adrift at sea are vivid and strangely beautifully described. The horrors that await them at the Japanese prison camps are not glossed over but neither does Hillenbrand wallow in the gore and violence as some authors may be tempted to do. There is always a strong sense of the respect the author holds for the men whose story she is being allowed to tell.
History has perhaps focused its eye too exclusively on the war in Europe to the extent where the situation in the Pacific and the plight of POW's there has not recieved the attention and the respect it deserves. Hillenbrand's book and detailed research certainly makes a strong attempt to change that.
Solidly based on statistics and army reports from both sides of the war, Hillenbrands book paints a clear picture of the hellish conditions that the POW's endured and the utter madness of the war that was being waged in the Pacific. This is a hard story to read but one that is well worth it. The falling apart of Louie's life and his slow path to regaining his life and sense of purpose is a story that is truly inspiring. This book will find a permanent place of honor on my bookshelf.
Best Book of the Year By Michael DENNISUK (trenton, michigan USA)
Laura Hillenbrand's new book, "Unbroken", is one of the most incredible books I've read in recent years. It is the true story of Louie Zamperini. Zamperini, an Olympic 5000 meter runner for the US(Berlin; 1936) survives the plane crash of his bomber in the Pacific in May of 1943. The book recounts in vivid detail all that occurs over the next 2 and 1/2 years. Mr. Zamperini's story is absolutely incredible. This ranks with the best personal accounts of WWII ever written. This book is riveting!! Ms Hillenbrand's narrative style compels you to continue turning pages long after her accounts of the horrors Zamperini has endured have left you exhausted. This book is a MUST READ!! It is destined to be perched at the top of the bestseller lists for months to come.
Absolutely Phenomenal By Shawna
I had to force myself to put the book down so I could sleep last night. I finished it today and I almost want to read it again immediately.
Wow...a terrific book By W. R. Reesman (Beverly Hills, CA USA)
What a great man, fascinating story and talented author. Full of interesting, yet not tedious details, this is one of those books you sit down to read for 30 minutes...and find you just cannot stop.
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