Unbroken
A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
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4.5 • 10.7K Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the acclaimed author of Seabiscuit comes the incredible true story of survival and salvation that is the basis for two major motion pictures: Unbroken and Unbroken: Path to Redemption.
“Extraordinarily moving . . . a powerfully drawn survival epic.”—The Wall Street Journal
“Hillenbrand’s writing is so ferociously cinematic, the events she describes so incredible, you don’t dare take your eyes off the page.”—People
TIME’S TOP NONFICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR • WINNER OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE
In boyhood, Louis Zamperini was an incorrigible delinquent. As a teenager, he channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that carried him to the Berlin Olympics. Then with the start of World War II, the athlete became an airman. When his Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean, against all odds, Zamperini survived. Ahead of him 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.
Yet Zamperini’s willpower faced its ultimate test upon his heroic return home after the war. He grappled with PTSD, struggled to come to terms with the injustices done to him, and was set on the path of redemption by a momentous encounter with famed reverend Billy Graham.
An unforgettable story of a man’s journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
There are many tales of selfless heroism from World War II, but you’ve never read one quite like this. Before becoming a bombardier, Louis Zamperini was a rebellious runaway who rode the rails and a top-level runner who competed at the Berlin Olympics. During the war in the Pacific, Zamperini’s B-24 crashed into the ocean, where he survived in the water for 47 days before being taken prisoner and tortured by the Japanese. Laura Hillenbrand tells this incredible tale with the perfect balance of flourish and restraint, letting the jaw-dropping events speak for themselves. We love how the narrative shifts between Zamperini’s pulse-pounding account of these events and his thoughtful reflections from decades later about everything from the psychology of revenge to how his ordeal made his later life seem that much sweeter. Unbroken is a life-changing testament to the human spirit.
Customer Reviews
Unbroken
I got this book for a Christmas present I was spellbound by what this man and his comrades had to endure , the pain,suffering,agony, humiliation and for those that returned the triumph.
What a life!
This book brought to life so much about WWII that I never knew. Louis Zamperini's story is very inspiring as are the stories of all the servicemen in the book. What brave men.
Thank you Ms. Hillenbrand for sharing this story! It's one I will never forget.
Thank you Mr. Zamperini for serving our country.
Unbroken
Exceptional read. Inspirational with many thought provoking reflections and unbelievable plot twists. You can't believe this is non fiction! A must read.