Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.5k reviews for:
Unbroken (Movie Tie-in Edition): A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand, Laura Hillenbrand
4.44 AVERAGE
4.5k reviews for:
Unbroken (Movie Tie-in Edition): A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
Laura Hillenbrand, Laura Hillenbrand
4.44 AVERAGE
One of the best books I’ve ever read. Truly amazing
I'm not one to go near a war book, but, man, this was riveting. The time at sea was the most fascinating part.
An important read, mostly because I did not know how much POWs in Japan suffered during WW2. The beginning was a little slow, but once I got into the story I really enjoyed it. Hillenbrand does exhaustive research to provide a fascinating read.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
This is one of the very few books I've seen rated 5 stars on Amazon. With 1,600 or so reviews, there are 139 4 stars and ZERO 3, 2 or 1 star reviews. All the rest are 5 stars. I've read some of the 4 star reviews, and they read like most books' 5 star reviews. That's amazing, and I was anxious to see what all the fuss was about.
"Unbroken" is a World War II tale of survival. The story is amazing, and I think a lot of the 5 star reviews are giving 5 stars to the hero, Louie Zamperini, rather than the book, but no matter. A few of the 4 star reviews complain of the slow pace of the book. I tended to agree while I was reading it, but the truth is, by the end of the book, you almost feel like you've lived through Zamperini's ordeal yourself, and that wouldn't happen if the author left out some details.
What most affected me about this book was the story of World War II. Those of us who are anti-war look on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as atrocities. But compared to WWII, they seem like picnic spats. We worry about 3,000 American killed. In WWII, according to Wikipedia, 60 million (2.5% of the world population) were killed. We fret about a single helicopter crash. In WWII, the U.S. alone lost 45,000 aircraft, with most of the crews dying.
Today, we worry about roadside bombs that kill 20 people. World War II was ended by bombs that each wiped out 100,000 people and a complete city. No matter how anti-war you are, I suspect by the time you've read Zamperini's ordeal, you cannot wait for the Enola Gray. And today, just 50 years later, the Japanese are one of our best allies and trading partners. Now THAT is a miracle.
"Unbroken" is a World War II tale of survival. The story is amazing, and I think a lot of the 5 star reviews are giving 5 stars to the hero, Louie Zamperini, rather than the book, but no matter. A few of the 4 star reviews complain of the slow pace of the book. I tended to agree while I was reading it, but the truth is, by the end of the book, you almost feel like you've lived through Zamperini's ordeal yourself, and that wouldn't happen if the author left out some details.
What most affected me about this book was the story of World War II. Those of us who are anti-war look on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as atrocities. But compared to WWII, they seem like picnic spats. We worry about 3,000 American killed. In WWII, according to Wikipedia, 60 million (2.5% of the world population) were killed. We fret about a single helicopter crash. In WWII, the U.S. alone lost 45,000 aircraft, with most of the crews dying.
Today, we worry about roadside bombs that kill 20 people. World War II was ended by bombs that each wiped out 100,000 people and a complete city. No matter how anti-war you are, I suspect by the time you've read Zamperini's ordeal, you cannot wait for the Enola Gray. And today, just 50 years later, the Japanese are one of our best allies and trading partners. Now THAT is a miracle.
"Dignity is as essential to human life as water, food, and oxygen. The stubborn retention of it, even in the face of extreme physical hardship, can hold a man's soul in his body long past the point at which the body should have surrendered it."
I started this book late January, and I can honestly say I have no idea why audiobooks take me so long to get through. Even when I read [b:The Martian|18007564|The Martian|Andy Weir|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413706054s/18007564.jpg|21825181] or [b:You're Never Weird on the Internet|23705512|You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)|Felicia Day|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440565049s/23705512.jpg|43314655], which were 5 star books, they took me over two weeks to finish. Ugh.
But enough about my issues; time to discuss this book.
Let me start out with saying that I enjoyed this way more than I expected to. I've always preferred fiction over nonfiction, so I didn't go into reading this thinking that I was going to be amazed and awed. But I was.
Louie Zamperini's story was amazing. The things he accomplished and the things he endured truly shocked me at times and I sometimes had to pause it to really digest things. I've never been really into historical fiction so I was aware of what happened during WW2, but sweet lord does this book give you a really raw and true look at what it was like to be a prisoner of war or even just alive during the time.
I'm not going to say anything about the plot, because I want this review to be spoiler free, and you can't really critique someone's life.
The narration for this book was amazing. It's hard to find audiobooks with quality narrators, but this one was 5/5. On top of his voice sounding similar to how you imagined Louie's, his way of speaking really made you feel like you were sitting in a veteran's home somewhere, listening to someone's grandfather recount the life story of one of his poker pals.
This story was fantastic. I'd recommend it for anyone looking for an inspiring true story, a quality audiobook for a long drive, fans of historical novels, or anyone just looking for an educating read. This book definitely was a pleasant surprise. :)
I started this book late January, and I can honestly say I have no idea why audiobooks take me so long to get through. Even when I read [b:The Martian|18007564|The Martian|Andy Weir|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413706054s/18007564.jpg|21825181] or [b:You're Never Weird on the Internet|23705512|You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost)|Felicia Day|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1440565049s/23705512.jpg|43314655], which were 5 star books, they took me over two weeks to finish. Ugh.
But enough about my issues; time to discuss this book.
Let me start out with saying that I enjoyed this way more than I expected to. I've always preferred fiction over nonfiction, so I didn't go into reading this thinking that I was going to be amazed and awed. But I was.
Louie Zamperini's story was amazing. The things he accomplished and the things he endured truly shocked me at times and I sometimes had to pause it to really digest things. I've never been really into historical fiction so I was aware of what happened during WW2, but sweet lord does this book give you a really raw and true look at what it was like to be a prisoner of war or even just alive during the time.
I'm not going to say anything about the plot, because I want this review to be spoiler free, and you can't really critique someone's life.
The narration for this book was amazing. It's hard to find audiobooks with quality narrators, but this one was 5/5. On top of his voice sounding similar to how you imagined Louie's, his way of speaking really made you feel like you were sitting in a veteran's home somewhere, listening to someone's grandfather recount the life story of one of his poker pals.
This story was fantastic. I'd recommend it for anyone looking for an inspiring true story, a quality audiobook for a long drive, fans of historical novels, or anyone just looking for an educating read. This book definitely was a pleasant surprise. :)
I am so happy that my book club chose this book to read because I don't know if I would have picked it up otherwise. I don't particularly love non-fiction...
Even if you have issues with the telling of this story, everyone needs to read this book. It's about man's inhumanity to man, our ability to survive, and what makes us all human. One of the most intriguing parts of the story was Zamperini's insistence that it is the loss of human dignity, not water or food or shelter, that is the most efficient way to kill a man.
As Zamperini himself says, "If I knew I had to go through those experiences again, I'd kill myself."
If this book were fiction, I would think it was the worst book ever written because the events seem just so implausible -- from the sharks, to the camps, to Bird himself.
It's certainly a book that will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished the last page.
Even if you have issues with the telling of this story, everyone needs to read this book. It's about man's inhumanity to man, our ability to survive, and what makes us all human. One of the most intriguing parts of the story was Zamperini's insistence that it is the loss of human dignity, not water or food or shelter, that is the most efficient way to kill a man.
As Zamperini himself says, "If I knew I had to go through those experiences again, I'd kill myself."
If this book were fiction, I would think it was the worst book ever written because the events seem just so implausible -- from the sharks, to the camps, to Bird himself.
It's certainly a book that will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished the last page.
I have never felt more attached to a hero than I was to Louie. Louie's intrepid spirit and will to survive was astonishing to me. I will never be the same after reading. This story left an indelible mark on my heart and made me realize what matters in life and the depths of human strength. Its message of forgiveness was one that the world needs to hear. Louis survived not one, not two, but three terrifying experiences and though he struggled to move past them, throughout everything he proved that he was truly Unbreakable.
Hillenbrand's storytelling and attention to detail is incredible. She provides balanced perspective and insight into the history of World War II and the Pacific theater. She brings these men's lives to life, preserving them for eternity through this uplifting, rousing, inspiring work. It illuminates basic truths about humanity and the complex nature of the human condition, all packaged in a gripping, educational and emotional biography. It is a triumph.
Hillenbrand's storytelling and attention to detail is incredible. She provides balanced perspective and insight into the history of World War II and the Pacific theater. She brings these men's lives to life, preserving them for eternity through this uplifting, rousing, inspiring work. It illuminates basic truths about humanity and the complex nature of the human condition, all packaged in a gripping, educational and emotional biography. It is a triumph.
I read about one third of it. Just couldn't get into it.