Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand recounts the life of Louie Zamperini, an Italian-American from Torrance, California, who transforms from a troubled youth to an Olympic athlete, only to endure unimaginable hardships as a World War II bombardier. After surviving a plane crash and spending 46 days adrift at sea, Louie is captured by the Japanese and subjected to brutal treatment in multiple POW camps. Upon returning to the U.S., he struggles with post-traumatic stress and alcoholism but ultimately finds redemption and forgiveness. Contains descriptions of wartime violence and physical abuse.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is lauded for its compelling, well-researched narrative on survival, resilience, and redemption. Readers appreciate the vivid storytelling and thorough historical context. Criticisms focus on its pacing, with some finding it slow in parts. Overall, it captivates with its inspirational true story and detailed depiction of World War II experiences.

A reader who enjoys gripping true stories of resilience and survival, like those told in Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer or The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown, will be captivated by Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. Fans of historical narratives and World War II accounts will also find this book compelling.

Inspirational / Challenging / Hopeful / Emotional / Adventurous

- Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand took seven years to research and write, partly due to Hillenbrand's battle with chronic fatigue syndrome, which made the intensive research process particularly challenging.
- Hillenbrand never met Louie Zamperini in person while writing Unbroken; instead, they conducted interviews over the phone, which lasted hundreds of hours and provided the book's intimate details.
- To capture the vivid scenes in Unbroken, Hillenbrand cross-referenced thousands of historical documents, including letters, diaries, military records, and news reports, to ensure accuracy and depth in her storytelling.

Laura Hillenbrand

Adult

Biography

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Unbroken  and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Unbroken  Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1 Preface-Chapter 3

Unbroken  Preface-Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1 - Part 2

Chapters 4-7

Unbroken  Chapters 4-7 Summary & Analysis

Part 2 Chapters 8-11

Unbroken  Chapters 8-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 3 Chapters 12-17

Unbroken  Chapters 12-17 Summary & Analysis

Part 4 Chapters 18-22

Unbroken  Chapters 18-22 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 23-27

Unbroken  Chapters 23-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-30

Unbroken  Chapters 28-30 Summary & Analysis

Part 4 - Part 5

Chapters 31-35

Unbroken  Chapters 31-35 Summary & Analysis

Part 5 Chapters 36-39

Unbroken  Chapters 36-39 Summary & Analysis

keyFigure

Key Figures

Unbroken  Key Figures

theme

Themes

Unbroken  Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Unbroken  Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

character

Important Quotes

Get ready to explore Unbroken and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Unbroken

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Unbroken ?

Reading Age

Book Details