One Sentence Summary
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption is a powerful true story of extreme endurance, strength, and hope in the face of injustices.
Book Genre
Non-fiction
Main Topic of the Book
The book is the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who survived a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean during World War II, only to endure more than two years as a prisoner of war in Japan.
Key Ideas
- Survival: Zamperiniās remarkable story of eventual triumph over unimaginable suffering provides readers with an inspiring glimpse into the human capacity to survive.
- Resilience: Zamperiniās story encourages readers to recognize their own potential for resilience in the face of adversity.
- Redemption: Through Hillenbrandās crafted narrative, readers can identify Zamperiniās ultimate redemption as a result of his perseverance through impossible odds.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part I: Zamperiniās journey begins during World War II on a plane in the Pacific Ocean, when it crashes after being attacked during a search mission. After surviving the crash, he endures 47 days without rescue, drifting on a raft with two crewmates until being captured by Japanese forces.
- Part II: Zamperini is sent to Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, where he suffers at the hands of his captors. He is eventually transferred to a horrible camp in Åfuna, and his resilience is tested as a result.
- Part III: Zamperini is released after the war and returns to America, only to struggle with PTSD and nightmares. He finally finds redemption after forgiving his captors and transforming his life.
Key Takeaways
- Survive in the face of impossible odds
- Find strength in times of adversity
- Look for ways to find redemption
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Laura Hillenbrand is an award-winning American author. She is best known for her biography, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller. She has been featured in several magazines and television shows and has received numerous awards, including the National Endowment for the Humanities Medal.
Target Audience
General fiction readers, military readers, historical fiction readers, readers interested in World War II, and readers interested in powerful true stories.
Publisher and First Publication Date
Random House, published in 2010