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Unbroken

A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

By Laura Hillenbrand

(19)

| Hardcover | 9781400064168

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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 tContinue

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.

Critics

  • Unbroken

    You've probably never heard of Louis Zamperini, but in his youth, seven decades ago, he managed five remarkable accomplishments. He ran the 5000m on the U.S. team at the 1936 Olympic Games; he flew in a couple of the first American bombing raids agai ... (read full critics)

    asianreviewofbooks published on Fri, 1 Apr 2011

  • Book Review: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand Share

    While our attention is drawn to the increasing body count in Afghanistan, it is quite unfortunate and frustrating that the death of some 700 WWII veterans daily doesn’t seem to stir us from our stupor. It is a good thing that Laura Hillenbrand was ab ... (read full critics)

    blogcritics published on Sat, 19 Mar 2011

1 Review

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  • Don't make me like they used to

    The life story of Louie Zamperini and his journey from rapscallions to WWII airman to Japanese POW to drunkard to Christian. Truly a life filled with more adventure than any single human can surely conceive. A ripping yarn indeed. The lifeboat phase of this story (boat is a bit of an exaggeration) i ... (continue)

    The life story of Louie Zamperini and his journey from rapscallions to WWII airman to Japanese POW to drunkard to Christian. Truly a life filled with more adventure than any single human can surely conceive. A ripping yarn indeed. The lifeboat phase of this story (boat is a bit of an exaggeration) is well done? Quite how these men survived with limited nutrition and sharks I don't quite know or believe. And then into the arms of the Japanese and some particularly harsh characters. Dynstentry for 3 years can't be fun. Would recommend a read to anyone who is looking for a larger than life character and a sense of rising thru adversity

    Is this helpful?

    John Trigg said on Oct 23, 2011 | Add your feedback

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ISBN Edition List Sale Seller
9781400064168 Hardcover $27.00 $14.12 bn.com
-- $12.99 ebooks.com
$27.00 $17.85 The Book Depository
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