Unbroken (The Young Adult Adaptation): An Olympian's Journey From Airman to Castaway to Captive
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Unbroken (The Young Adult Adaptation): An Olympian's Journey From Airman to Castaway to Captive Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Laura Hillenbrand (Author), Edward Herrmann (Narrator), Listening Library (Publisher)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 5,363 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Teen & Young Adult Olympics & Paralympics
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In this captivating young adult edition of her award-winning number one New York Times best seller, Laura Hillenbrand tells the story of a former Olympian's courage, cunning, and fortitude following his plane crash in enemy territory. This adaptation of Unbroken introduces a new generation to one of history's most thrilling survival epics.

On a May afternoon in 1943, an American military plane 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 sagas of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. As a boy, he had been a clever delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and stealing. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a supreme talent that carried him to the Berlin Olympics. But when war came, the athlete became 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 sinking raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would respond to desperation with ingenuity, suffering with hope and humor, brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would hang on the fraying wire of his will.

Featuring an exclusive interview with Zamperini, this breathtaking odyssey - also captured on film by director Angelina Jolie - is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to endure against the unlikeliest of odds.

Previous page
  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 7 minutes
  2. Author
    Laura Hillenbrand
  3. Narrator
    Edward Herrmann
  4. Audible release date
    November 11, 2014
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Listening Library
  7. ASIN
    B00OPEHIAC
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 7 minutes
Author Laura Hillenbrand
Narrator Edward Herrmann
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date November 11, 2014
Publisher Listening Library
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B00OPEHIAC
Best Sellers Rank #16,388 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Teen & Young Adult Olympics & Paralympics
#2 in Sports & Outdoors for Teens
#5 in Teen & Young Adult Military History

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Top reviews from the United States

Diana
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2023
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Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken is a book that will leave a lasting impression on any reader. The biography of Louis Zamperini's incredible life journey is extremely heart-wrenching and uplifting.
An important theme of the book is the power of forgiveness. Throughout his journey, Louis gained just feelings of anger and resentment towards his captors. However, in the end, he found it within himself to forgive them, realizing that holding onto those negative emotions was only hurting himself. After being abused and tortured this was a massive challenge for Louis, but he eventually forgave them. This message is particularly relevant in today's world, where so many people are quick to judge and condemn others without taking the time to understand their perspectives. Even though what the Japanese were doing to Louis was wrong, he had to take in their perspective.
Also, this book is a powerful reminder of the horrors of war and the damages it causes. The book's vivid descriptions of Louis's experiences as a prisoner of war in Japan are an eye opening reminder of the inhumanity that can occur in times of war. However, the book also shows us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future. Louis was able to use this hope to get himself through all of the challenges that he faced.
This is absolutely a must read because of all of the lessons the book teaches. It is a reminder to have forgiveness in our hearts, and to find hope even in the darkest of places. Louis Zamperini's story is one that will stay with you forever, and it will inspire you to be a better person and to never give up, no matter what life throws at you.
8 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply brilliant non fiction history
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2023
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Every citizen should read this book. The price soldiers payed for our blessings were and continue to be severe. This book brings one man's low expectations to a high reality then down an incredible deep abyss of endurance and pain. The ending is a true shocker. It will renew or confirm one's faith in a power greater than ourselves. Non-fiction. Far superior to the movie which left out so much.
The author is a great writer. She flawlessly tells this remarkable story.
2 people found this helpful
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Muy bueno
5.0 out of 5 stars Sumamente complacido
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2024
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Muy bueno y rápida la entrega
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Janet k.
5.0 out of 5 stars Knowledge
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
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a lot Learned
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Gina U
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Story
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2023
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I ordered this book for my husband as he was recovering from a stroke. He enjoyed the book but wants to read the original book. This version is much smaller and not as wordy as the original. Which I thought would be better for my husband because at the time his brain wouldn't have been able to handle so much detail. Plus he's not much of reader but his recovery required him to basically do nothing but rest for awhile. Given he actually finished the book says a-lot. If you want an easier read for this particular story I recommend this one.
3 people found this helpful
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Mimi Devereaux
5.0 out of 5 stars This will do the trick! Yay!
Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2014
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My ten-year-old reads well above grade level, but is still reluctant. Like many boys, he just doesn't want to sit still long enough to get through a story! He likes adventure stories, so I thought he would enjoy listening to the audio version of "Unbroken," while following along in the book. No dice. I lost him at the word "dirigible."

So I was delighted to learn that a young adult version was on the horizon, and I immediately pre-ordered both the Kindle and audio versions. I am pleased to report that I think this will do the trick.

Of course, the first thing I did upon receiving the new version, was to turn to Chapter One to see if the word "dirigible" had been changed! It is now "airship." Then I went back to the beginning and did a side-by-side comparison of both. The changes were immediately apparent:
On the first page, the previous version read: Somewhere on the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Army Air Forces bombardier and Olympic runner Louie Zamperini lay across a small raft, drifting westward.
The new version read: Somewhere on the Pacific Ocean, American military airman and Olympic runner Louie Zamperini lay on a small raft, drifting.
In a nutshell, Hillenbrand deleted "the endless expanse of," and simplified Zamperini's title from "Army Air Forces bombardier," to "American military airman."

Looking randomly through the two books, I'm seeing other instances of abridgement, as well as simplified language. I have high hopes that my young reader will now enjoy this story. I'm excited at the prospect, as I think our children need to read more stories about people like Mr. Zamperini. He is easily the bravest, most remarkable person I've ever read about, and a fine example of what we hope our young people will choose to emulate.

A final thought: I'm an avid reader, but I wish this version had been out when I read the original. While still long, it is shorter than the first book, and I wouldn't consider this one to be at all "dumbed down." It would not be inappropriate for an adult to read this version instead of the other.
411 people found this helpful
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Mary C. Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
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It’s like ready history. I’ve read it twice!
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Claire T Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Required summer reading
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2023
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This was a book required for summer reading for my son. It was easier and cheaper to purchase here and have it delivered to my house
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Rhianon
5.0 out of 5 stars My son loved this book
Reviewed in Mexico on August 10, 2021
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I bought this book for my 12 year old son and he has been really enjoying it
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Lil dud
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read for young adults
Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2019
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My son read this for a non fiction book report for jr high. I had read the original book and also read this book. It was a quick read and some of the details of the original were skipped over to make it appropriate for young adult readers. My son enjoyed the book.
One person found this helpful
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SSC
5.0 out of 5 stars Olympian Survivor of WWII
Reviewed in Germany on August 6, 2020
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Do you want to know how Louie Zamperini, an Olympian, survived in a Japanese P.O.W camp? If that sounds interesting to you, then I recommend you read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.
Although I encourage you to read the book, if you are not comfortable with violence, I wouldn’t suggest it.
This fascinating story shows the perspective of a poor family. In the book Louie steals to get food for himself. In addition to stealing, the Zamperinis ran out of money at the end of each week and were forced to improvise food.
If you like studying WWII, then you will like this book. One point to support this is that a lot of the story is about Louie, the main character, being in the U.S. Army Air Forces. Another example is it shows the treatment of P.O.W.s during the war.
This book also has a lot of show don’t tell writing which means the author describes what characters are feeling or what is happening instead of just saying it. One example of this is, “Louie was standing in dust, sweating,” which explains it was hot. Another example is, “There was a pulse of light,” which means there was an explosion.
To sum it all up, I recommend this book because it shows the perspective of a poor family, WWII history and a lot of show don’t tell. The best part is it’s a true story!
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Naomi
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging book for a young teenage boy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2020
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My almost 13 year old son loved this book from cover to cover and read it during lockdown over the past few weeks. As a relucant reader of late, it was a relief to find a book that captured his imagination! He now wants me to buy books of a similar genre. Highly recommend this youth adaptation for 12 plus age group.
2 people found this helpful
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Reviewed in Spain on December 6, 2018
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The book was like new,very good.
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