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Unbroken [Paperback]

Laura Hillenbrand
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
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Book Description

2 Feb 2012

A gripping true story of human endurance and the resilience of one remarkable individual during WWII from Laura Hillenbrand (author of ‘Seabiscuit’).

On a May afternoon in 1943, a US bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean. After an agonising delay, a young lieutenant finally bobbed to the surface and struggled aboard a life raft. So begins one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. As a boy, he turned to petty crime until he discovered a remarkable talent for running, which took him to the Berlin Olympics. But as war loomed, he joined up and was soon embroiled in the ferocious battle for the Pacific.

Now Zamperini faced a journey of thousands of miles of open ocean on a failing raft, dogged by sharks, starvation and the enemy. Driven to limits of endurance, Zamperini’s fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would depend on the strength of his will…


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Unbroken + Seabiscuit: Three Men and a Racehorse
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Product details

  • Paperback: 500 pages
  • Publisher: Fourth Estate (2 Feb 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0007378033
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007378036
  • Product Dimensions: 13 x 3.1 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 9,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Review

‘The pages almost turn themselves. His tale is remarkable and his resilience inspiring.’ Ben Macintyre

‘An instant classic.’ Mail on Sunday

‘Hillenbrand must be congratulated for chiselling out such an uplifting story…This is tremendous stuff.’ Daily Telegraph

‘A riveting read.’ Spectator

‘Hillenbrand’s storytelling is gripping.’ Financial Times

‘”Unbroken” is an extraordinarily compelling read, a match for any thriller…a remarkable book.’ Evening Standard

‘”Unbroken” is gripping in an almost cinematic way. To have written something so ambitious and powerful under such trying circumstances is an act of courage even a Louis Zamperini would admire.’ Scotsman

More gripping than fiction’ Sunday Telegraph

About the Author

Laura Hillenbrand is the author of the number-one bestseller Seabiscuit, which won the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award. It was made into a major international film, which was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Hillenbrand's New Yorker article, 'A Sudden Illness,' won the 2004 National Magazine Award, and she is a two-time winner of the Eclipse Award. She and actor Gary Sinise are the co-founders of Operation International Children, a charity that provides school supplies to children through American troops. She lives in Washington, D.C.


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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars First class read. 26 Jan 2011
By Arheddis Varkenjaab TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
This is a fantastic book, one of the most entertaining I've read in years. It's a biography of Louis Zamperini who, judging by the number of schools and airports named after him in the US, is a rather famous individual.

Most British readers, myself included, will not have heard of him. Don't let that put you off though, as Zamperini is one of those individuals who has led both a charmed, lucky, and fascinating life.

We start with his youth, where despite the book making light of his mischief, he was a thug and a thief, destined for a life of dodging the police and jail. He is saved by discovering he has a talent for running. Inspired by his slightly more cunning brother (who is just as much a tearaway as Louis but has the charm to get away with it) he finds himself at the Berlin olympics, running in front of Hitler. His natural talent has him on the verge of a four-minute mile and he appears certain for gold at the 1940 games. Instead, Louis finds himself over the Pacific, manning the bombsight of a B24 bomber, and ultimately fighting for survival in a canvas raft in the middle of the ocean.

And this is just the start of his adventures! Louis Zamperini, as well as being talented, lucky, and brave, is revealed to be pretty much indestructible. I won't summarise any more of the story, as it would spoil it, but this is a great book. A real page turner, written with a wonderfully engaging style that will keep you awake to find out what happens next.

Absolutely first class, highly recommended.
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36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting story - glorious ending 21 Feb 2011
By Mark Loughridge VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Stunning. That sums this book up in a word.

I had read a brief summary of Louis Zamperini's life in Don Stephens' excellent book War and Grace and was fascinated to see a much longer version. I wasn't disappointed.

Some authors struggle when they are faced with a welter of facts, details, interviews - they either smother you with them, thus losing the storyline, or they ignore them, thus depriving the story of colour, depth and character. Laura Hillenbrand has mastered her homework without it mastering her. She strikes a perfect balance, and delivers an engrossing, engaging read.

From Zamperini's early days as a tearaway, to his success as an athlete, through his American Air Force career, to the POW camps in Japan, to his return from the 'grave', to his even more amazing transformation by God's grace - all is superbly told. It is hard to find a point at which to put the book down.

The story captures the horror of air combat, the sickening losses even before combat, the sheer awfulness of the POW camps and the trauma the men faced on returning to 'normal' life. The characters are very real, their fear, courage, humanity, anger, bitterness are all displayed, rather than hyped up or hidden away. One of the aspects I liked was the balance in which the Japanese camp officials were portrayed - some brutal and sadistic, but some deeply courageous and humane. It would have been easy to create a one sided impression.

But for me the absolute highlight is found in the closing chapters. I dont think a review would be complete without mentioning them - But STOP HERE if you dont want to know the ending!
... Read more ›
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An astonishing and totally gripping read. 1 Feb 2011
By Caroline P. VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
I admit I approached this book with a certain amount of trepidation. I wondered how you could write a book about someone spending weeks on a raft and yet keep it interesting? It turns out that there is so much more to Louie Zamperini's story than that, although I don't want to give too much away.

This is a man I suspect very few Brits will have heard of. And yet his story is utterly astonishing and completely riveting. This was a very hard book to put down and I read it very quickly.

I love the way the author has told this story. No lantern-jawed heroes, fearing nothing, in these pages. Rather, very genuine and very honest, flesh-and-blood people - scared to death at times, traumatised by what has happened to them. The real deal. People like you and me who yet find within themselves a courage to endure that is so astounding, so amazing that you are left in awe. Which is how it should be. Still, I think she did take a certain lick of gloss to Louie's youth and I was left a little curious, suspecting more 'behind the scenes'. But that is a very, very small point and this is someone who earned redemption. This was, ultimately, a man unbroken by what happened to him - but who came, many times, very very close to being destroyed by it.

Ms Hillenbrand is an excellent author and this is a brilliant tale. I cannot recommend it highly enough and I'll certainly be looking out for other books she has written. You won't regret buying this book, I'm certain
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars spell binding story compulsive read 29 Jan 2011
By Mrs. A. Wright VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
This book grabbed my attention from beginning to end. It is really the story of Louis Zamperini but there are so may other wonderful characters in particular his army friends who also deserve much admiration. The book takes you through Louie's tearaway youth through army training and service in the war. His life after the war is also interesting. I loved the story of Louie's youth and as one who remembers the excitement caused by Roger Bannister running the mile in under 4 minutes in the 50's I find it amazing that Louie was so close in the 30's. The description of his air force training was interesting and with Louie's capacity for practical jokes this section was not short of humour. The spirit of the 3 men during their time on the raft was true to life (I imagine) and my mouth and lips were dry when thirst was described. Conditions in prisoner of war camps are well documented in other books but perhaps because we already knew Louie and Harris the descriptions here were a bit too true to life. I didn't want to read on but there was no way I could stop. It was also good that one got to hear of the good and bad prison guards and what happened them too. I know that Ms Hillenbrand researched very thoroughly for this book. Her acknowledgements show this but also give more detail so are well worth a read. I read them when i finished the book because I wasn't ready to let Louie go. This wasn't in any way my usual genre and though it is written in a semi formal but easy to read style there was times when I found it uncomfortable. I had to continue because I had to know what happened. The story stayed with me for many days after finishing and I think this is the true test of a good well written tale. I would recommend it to anyone and have already recommended it to family and friends. Do give it a read.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars factual and inspiring
I found this book hard to read and hard to put down. I appreciated very much the author's obvious care in presenting the facts, whether difficult or not. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars a great read
A brilliant read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I could not put the book down. I can highly recommend this book.
Published 13 days ago by Pam
5.0 out of 5 stars This Is A Journey That Must Be Taken!
Laura Hillenbrand's work here on telling this incredible true story of Louis Zamperini is fantastic. It's a must read . Wow is all I can say!
Published 26 days ago by nigel bennett
5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable
If you want a book to humble and inspire you this story will amaze. A true story of survival and forgiveness. Read more
Published 1 month ago by robert kenyon
5.0 out of 5 stars Unbroken -unmissable
A book I just could not put down. A factual biography which is a must for anyone with an interest in World War 2. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing true story of a remarkable man who found the remarkable...
This was a brilliant read from start to finish, of how a prolific thief and later an Olympic athlete, then USAF bombardier, crashed into the Pacific & spent 47 days in an... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Catherine3a
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read
An absolutely incredible read about a true hero. Both Louie's story and Laura's specificity make it hard to put down.
Published 1 month ago by Bob Buttler
5.0 out of 5 stars An astonishing life
Hillenbrand's biography of Louis Zamperini's life focuses on his early years, events during World War 2 and the years immediately after it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bron
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read
The book got good billing in the Amazon reviews I read and it didn't disappoint. Truly a hero and things in this book make your toes curl about what man can do to another... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. S. A. Dugdill
5.0 out of 5 stars Just like it says on the tin
Well, the front cover says it all 'Unbroken'! This second-hand book turned up looking like it had been picked from the shelf wearing those white gloves that people put on when... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Nick
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