Unbroken: An Olympian's Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive
Product ID: 59893194
In this captivating and lavishly illustrated young adult edition of her award-winning #1 New York Times bestseller, 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 more than one hundred photographs plus 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. Praise for Unbroken "This adaptation of Hillenbrand's adult bestseller is highly dramatic and exciting, as well as painful to read as it lays bare man's hellish inhumanity to man."-- Booklist , STARRED "This captivating book emphasizes the importance of determination, the will to survive against impossible odds, and support from family and friends. A strong, well-written work."-- SLJ "This fine adaptation ably brings an inspiring tale to young readers."-- Kirkus Review: A great read, well written. - Great testimony of survival against the odds. Review: Amazing - An absolutly amazing book that folows the journy of an olympian to a Prisoner of War. Highly recomend to under children under 16.
| Best Sellers Rank | 493,970 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 4 in Books on the Olympics & Paralympics for Young Adults 57 in Sports Biographies for Young Adults 73 in Historical Biographies for Young Adults |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 5,548 Reviews |
E**E
A great read, well written.
Great testimony of survival against the odds.
K**D
Amazing
An absolutly amazing book that folows the journy of an olympian to a Prisoner of War. Highly recomend to under children under 16.
C**A
Excellent gift for adults and kids from 10 yrs old.
A very good book that arrived in great condition. Totally recommend.
S**G
more interesting than enjoyable
I bought this book as I had head so many good things about it. I found it to be an interesting book, but for me I didn't feel it flowed. It felt like an intense read, and hard work to get to the end. Having said that though it is a fascinating story. This is marketed as a young adult book but I don't think it is that well suited. On the positive side I did not abandon the book and did read it to the end. I would like to see the movie.
A**R
Fantastic Eye Opening Read
This is the true story of an American Airman captured by the Japanese and the terrible torture he suffered in their WW2 prison camps. Amazing what the human body can endure. Sad and captivating.
N**I
Engaging book for a young teenage boy
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.
T**A
Nice book
Very nice book. My teenager boy is loving that.
R**A
Brilliant
Very moving and inspiring story.
M**I
Absolute Delight of a Book!
This story follows a young rebel named Louis Zamperini as he journeys through fame to war to imprisonment. This heartwarming story includes the loss of a friend, the joy of a love and the sorrow of imprisonment. As Louis meets all sorts of monstrosity and ruthlessness, he learns to treasure his loved ones, to show gratitude for all he has and to learn to survive in even the bleakest conditions. Definitely recommend this heartwarming book for all ages.
R**N
My son loved this book
I bought this book for my 12 year old son and he has been really enjoying it
T**Y
GREAT treatment of a survivor story that is almost beyond belief
Louis Zamperini's story is almost too big for Hollywood. In fact, it took TWO movies to capture the bare essence of what happened to him over the course of his eventful life. But Laura Hillenbrand not only wrote a great book, she adapted that great book into an even better book for young adults and people like me. I bought this book to read with my kid when we were home-schooling, and we both enjoyed it immensely. We laughed and cried (although only one of us will admit to that last part), and ultimately rejoiced in the grace and mercy of Almighty God, Who does wonderful works for the children of men. Louis' story of his epiphany, whilst adrift in the Pacific Ocean, after weathering storms and fighting off sharks with his bare hands, is simply sublime.
A**R
Highly powerful and motivational book
A very powerful motivational book for all ages. Louis journey is one that will shock and surprise you, and his human strength will astonish you. Very well written.
J**K
Very nice story
My boy liked the book a lot. He is not very keen to read books. However, he finished this one in less than a month.
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