This November, nearly 10 years after the release of dark horse bestseller (sorry) Seabiscuit, Random House is publishing Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken. It’s the story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who endured incredible hardships during World War II.
Hillenbrand came up with the idea during her research for Seabiscuit. As she says in the press release, “While studying a newspaper clipping about the racehorse, I happened to turn to the back of the page, where an article on Zamperini caught my eye. I began to read, and was immediately enthralled. I jotted Zamperini’s name down in my Seabiscuit papers. After finishing my book, I wrote Louie a letter. He wrote back to tell me of his youthful days as a runner, holding the inspiring image of Seabiscuit in his mind as he ran. With every exchange, I was drawn more deeply into his story and its phenomenally abundant narrative possibilities.” Unbroken was written with the full participation of Zamperini, who is now 93—though he told his own story with help of a co-writer in 2003′s Devil at My Heels.
Having struggled with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for 25 years, Hillenbrand knows something about coping with adversity. Though she married her longtime fiancé in 2007, an NPR interview from October 2009 reports that “Her symptoms, including pain and vertigo, have been so severe that she’s only left her house twice in the last two years.” Book tours are out of the question and sometimes she is too ill even to write. Perhaps she identified with Zamperini for the same reason the Seabiscuit story spoke to her:
Are you looking forward to the release of Unbroken?
UPDATE: Read our interview with Laura Hillenbrand and our review of Unbroken.
I’m particularly drawn to both WWII fiction and non-fiction — and I loved Seabuiscuit, so yes, I’m eager for this release!
Dear Laura,
I am absolutely looking forward to getting my hands on your book ‘Unbroken’. May God fill you with energy and gusto to continue to write to lift the human spirit. You are globally cherished.
Love you,
Archna.
Dear Laura:
I am President of our alumni group of Olympians in Southern California and Louis and I participate in many Olympian requested events through the years…
You are very correct to note, that the medal achievement is nothing compared to the struggle to overcome many odds and many obstacles….as I relate to both you and Louis…it is only by faith that we can really go beyond what we feel is possible..
Thank you for your work and for sharing your talent…
Many blessings,
Cathy Marino
1988 1992 Olympic flatwater Kayak team
Pres So Cal Olympians
Long Beach Fire Captain retired
It is marvelous to hear about the Zamperini book, UNBROKEN.
Zamperini is one of the veterans featured in the forthcoming book, THE LAST GOOD WAR: The Faces and Voices of World War II by Thomas Sanders, to be published by Welcome Books (www.welcomebooks.com/lastgoodwar) and distributed by Random House.
Best,
Carol Morgan
carol@welcomebooks.com
Laura Hillenbrand must have enormous talent to write so well with the hardships she faces daily. Kudos once again to a courageous soul.
I, too, have found myself using WWII as an example of what The Disease is like. Imagine an average citizen of Warsaw or Manila or Shanghai in 1938, unaware of the change ahead. So too were we all before slammed with The Disease. I have been able to get somewhat better on an experimental immune modulator – yet I feel as if I have only escaped the war zone, that my friends are still trapped inside. I want to buttonhole everyone on the street and say, Please! Just LOOK! But they won’t look.
I am also too well aware that when the meds are taken away (as FDA did to me two years ago), I only have a few months before I am suddenly behind enemy lines again, once again an invalid trapped in a battle for my life. Fortunately, I am back on the meds now and improving again, so I can lift my head and start looking around once more.
Hillenbrand has been very courageous in being open about the depths of her own suffering, and I thank her for that, as well as admire her ability to forge on. But we must always keep in mind that so many who suffer from this disease cannot do anything at all, no matter their natural abilities or willpower.
So as we celebrate this remarkable author, we must also remember those trapped so deeply in the war zone that it is all they can do to survive from one day to the next.
I wonder how much this gifted woman could do if she were released from the prison of our disease. And again I am amazed at her talents and strength.
I can identify with Laura Hillenbrand’s illness as I too was diagnosed with CFIDS.
I admire Laura for her integrity and fortitude, her courage to write about the disease and the challenges she faced over the last twenty-five years.
Once again I am looking forward to her newest publication!
Dear Laura,
I have meant to write to you for years. I am so excited to hear of your new book!!! I absolutely loved Seabiscuit – and I have read your story of your own struggles with CFIDS. I also am an informal writer, and have managed several chronic illnesses for 25 years. Although I have journaled for many years, I am now interested in writing because I cannot work at all anymore, in my profession, Speech Pathology.
Laura, I’m sure you have heard of 2009′s Kentucky Derby winner the long-shot Mine-that-Bird, bred and trained in New Mexico, where i live now to benefit my health. Any inckling to write that story?
Laura, I so look forward to reading about Zamperini’s story. I am a life-long athlete (former) and have an avid interest in WW2. I will read your book as soon as I can, and look for opportunities to meet you in person, when we both can get out into the world again.
Thank you so much for your courage.
Carla
Laura:
How can we reach the right contact person to discuss motion pictures rights? CAA does not respond and our only other option is to contact Louis directly.
Can you have your rep contact me?
Respectfully,
Bobby.Derringer@gmail.com
Maybe this will be the final trigger to get a movie made about this great man’s life. My son and I ran a 5K this morning and Lou was there as the honorary starter, gracious and gregarious as ever, and happily took a picture with me and my son, that will be treasured forever – and last forever on Facebook…… Can’t wait for the book.
Dear Laura,
I listened to you and Scott Simon on July 17th’s NPR Weekend Edition Saturday speaking about Zenyatta… wonderful…by the way…and your new book, Unbroken. I am so happy that you have written another book. Seabiscuit was super, and proved how intelligent horses are. I look forward to reading about Lou. You are an inspiration to all of us, just as Lou Zamperini’s story will be (again), in your words.
I am so excited to read Ms. Hillenbrand’s next book. My husband and his family have known Louis Zamperini for more than 50 years, and I’ve heard many amazing stories.
Dear Ms. H,
I’m an awful speller, so, excuse the abbreviation.
I have been hoping you wouold write again. Probably About your
illness. I’ve been a very active woman until ten years ago when I became I guess a minor case of CFS.Who knows.DoctORS
are so unsure.
I work PT as psychotherapist and the other half as trying
to pull back college dreams of writing. Focussing now on personal essays and a memor. “Of An Alcoholic Marriage.”
Not the usual redewmption bit with substance abuse, but why his talent and illness and fascinating mother held
me in a fifteen year marriage.”
I admire, of course your work. Loved Seabiscuit. Book and movie. And concewpt. I always pull for underdog.
Just preordered your new book. CHEERS for going on and working. Me too.
But it’s damn hard. Not the vision I had of myself at twenty when I left SC and set out for NUC and proving myuself
as great writer and free spirit.
I wish yuu success in new book. I will read of course.
I’m sure this isn’t being spell checked well as is very late and I’m tired.
And I face a FAMILY “party” on Sat which I do not want to attend, but will. Hoping to be able to acknowledge my need
to sleep, rest, and not do what the others do.
You are a damn good writer. I know how hard it is to
write well. And to do so when ill is very impressive.
I live outside DC in Germantown. With my soon to be third husband, of l2 years. We’re ideally suited. First two
were not and they helped increase sense of low esteem and
difficulty in going for what I wanted.
All of us are affirmed when someone who has suffered
succeeds in publishing and being recognized. Good luck.
PS IF yuu have a writer’s blog/or somesuch, I would be
honored to be part. I identify with your desire to be
good writer and also your hopwe to be well. To once again put on high heel shoes, hail a taxi in Manhattan, cash in, light a cigarette, oh God, and be off to the next new advednture. All that so long ago. Best of luck.
Claire Holcomb, MD resident and writer
Best, Claire Holcomb, clinical Social worker AND WRITER. andwoman of 70 who suffers from what seems to be CFS, bu, who the hell knows. Mewanwhile, I have to hang on to myh
sense of self. There is no ooutside support except, I guess
my psychotherapist who looks for ME and not the physically ill part of me. Takecare.
PS Claire Holcomb-Drapkin, AsbI read back over your
comments, see many people like myself. Maybe we should bond in some cyberspace way. But whatever, thankyou, Laura,
for making illness and creativity not incompatiable.
shalom, Claire
Just FYI: Zamperini’s book, Devil At My Heels, which I co-wrote, came out in early 2003 … We’re very much looking forward to the result of Laura’s incredible commitment to Louie and his story.
David — thank you for the correction! I have made the change in the post. It appears he wrote an earlier version with another author as well.
i am writing this only because i am so moved by the fact that this so incredible human being’s story is being written by such a very special human being and writer. it is one of those unusual times when fortunately for the rest of lives will be deeply changed by the result.
louie was my baby sitter when i was four and 86 years later he wore me out on a ski hill. that so many will now get to experience what this man has meant in my life is beyond heart warming, it will make all of us better human beings.
my passion in reading has been anything doing with the pacific theatre during ww2. fiction or non. I will enjoy this book like all the others I have read…..about 150.
I look forward to reading your book FORGIVEN. My father was a survivior of the Bataan Death March and almost four years as a prisoner of war by the Japanese.
He lived a long and full life (93, died in the spring of 2009). He had a passion for living and enjoyed all that came his way. I did not know the details of the atrocities that he and others suffered until I was in my late twenties and started asking questions. He and others who survived could have been angry and bitter but he was not. He made sure that in our family there was understanding, fairness and laughter and ultimately being a genuinely good person doing good things.
I look forward to the November release.
Thanks so much!
Louie came and spoke at the school where I teach ( LOS ANGELES BAPTIST MIDDLE/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL) He told me that the author of Seabiscuit was in the process of writing a book about him. IT HAS BEEN DONE!!!!!!!!!!!! I will share the book with my students knowing that so MANY were totally amazed at Louie’s story and how the hand of God brought him through so many unbelievable situations. I also wanted the author to know that I will be praying for God to move in her life and help her be healed of this serious ailment.
Louis Zamperini is my great-uncle and the hero of my life. I am ecstatic to see this tribute paid to such a worthy man with such an incredible legacy.
Louis Zamperini doesn’t know me, I am just someone who read Devil At My Heels and was just amazed by his life story. I am very excited for Laura Hillenbrand’s book to be published. I love Mr. Zamperini’s quote about himself, that he would be an easier subject than Seabiscuit, since he can TALK! What a great guy and I am thankful to know so much more detail about his family and war buddies and fellow runners. (I was lucky enough to get an advanced reading copy of Unbroken and it IS a great book.) Kay Guest
I grew up in Southern California and knew nothing about Louis Zamperini until I happened to come across an unedited copy of ‘Unbroken’, and once I started reading this book I didn’t want to put it down. It’s a very well written biography about a man who has heroically accomplished, survived, and endured far more than what seems humanly possible.
I was so moved by Laura Hillenbrand’s book that I went by the Zamperini house in Torrence and was thrilled to learn that the present owners are passionate about saving this historical home and preserving Louis Zamperini’s story.
Hi Robbo Man,
I am the present owner of the Zamperini house; you visited with my husband and myself. I remember you mentioned that you were able to read the unediting version of Unbroken because you have a friend who does proof reading. Would you please put me in contact with him? I would like to proof books also. Best wishes, Bonnie Mae at Save_historic_old_torrance.com (those are underscores, not underlines in the email address)
My husband and I have the privilege of living in Louis Zamperini’s former home. We believe that God led us to this house and we are blessed to be the caretakers of his former home. We have restored much of it, so it is as it was when Louie Zamperini lived here. Louie provided us with photos of the house when he lived in it.
We founded an historic preservation organization in the city of Torrance. The preservation organization, Save Historic Old Torrance is holding a Christmas Tea in our house on Sat. Dec. 4th–more info. at http://www.savehistoricoldtorrance.com
We have been waiting years for Laura Hillenbrand’s book; can’t wait to read it. Louis Zamperini is a wonderful man, who has an incredible story and we are so glad that Laura Hillenbrand has written this book!
Can’t wait!!!!!…. Just wish it was published on or before veterans day!!!!…. I wonder why not?
Dear Laura,I just finished reading an excerpt from “Unbroken” in the Dec.issue of Vanity Fair.I can hardly wait for the book to be released!Thank you for the timely reminder of what our veterans endured for this country.
Just finished reading an excerpt from Vanity Fair’s December edition. It was spell binding and I am frothing at the bit to read the rest of the story… Wow.
Nice post. By the way, I am the co-writer who worked with Louie on “Devil at My Heels.” Taken together, these books’ two perspectives (first and third person) make a fascinating whole.
Having loved “Seabiscuit” I read the inspiring piece by Steve Oney about Laura Hillenbrand and Louis Zamperini in the Friday, Nov 12th WSJ, and now can’t wait to read her new book “Unbroken”. My husband is a big champion of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, and I know he will encourage them to have Mr. Zamperini include the Museum on the book tour. Where and when will he be signing books in Los Angeles? I’d love to meet him!
Laura,
I purchased your book last night and started to read it today and I can tell it is a great book already. Thanks for writing this book and may God bless your health and help you with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Ron
Get a free copy of the book, maybe, in book giveaway at http://nyjournalofbooks.com
Laura,
Yesterday afternoon I was reading my November TIME magazine and started reading the article about Louis Zamperini.It caught my eye because after serving in the U.S. Army “87″-”89″ Torrance,California was my home too. I lived at Elm & Torrance blvd accross the street from an Elementary school ( I cant remember the name of the school).
So I started reading the articale and didn’t want to stop when I’d reached the end,so my girlfriend ordered it on her Kindle for me and I stayed up til 2:30 this morning reading it till I couldn’t keep my eyes open any more. After about 4 hours of sleep I began reading it again and finished it @ 1pm.
Thank you so much for this book! I don’t like to read anything fiction. If it isn’t a Bio or true story I don’t want to read it.
Mr. Zamperini is as Historical as WWII what a HERO!
Would you please e-mail me a schedule of the book tour…. I live in Sparks,Nevada….I’d Sure like to meet Mr. Zamperini.
Thank You,
Joey
Laura, I read about your CFS in Newsweek. My concern is that Chronic Lyme disease can mimic CFS and defies detection on the current tests. The good news is that chronic lyme disease is treatable but it takes longer courses of antibiotics than most drs will consider. You might want to get an opinion from a dr that is experienced treating this condition. A good resource is ILADS.org (Internation Lyme and Associated Diseases Society). Much of the medical community are skeptical of this disease but living here in Columbia Co NY, the epicenter of the disease, I see many people who develop this disease who have recovered. Another prominent author, Amy Tan, has publicly talked about her battle with Lyme disease and you might want to seek her out.
Good Health, Jim
Hi Laura – I saw you on the the Imus Show this morning. I know you are working w/Dr. Nancy Klimas. Nevertheless, there is brand new, very important information on CFS that would help you. This is quite a serious matter. Our team is leading the effort to establish a 1st In The World Center for CHRONIC ILLNESS. Erin (feel free to contact her about me) and the Imus team know of our work – Don did not when you spoke w/him today.
Erin S. Ihde, MA
Research/Project Manager
The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center
Hackensack University Medical Center
How can I get in touch with you? What we have will impress you greatly.
I just finished “Unbroken” and believe it is one of the most well-written books I have ever read. What a remarkable work you have accomplished. I am a Navy veteran of 26 years and have read many military related books through the years, and although I have appreciated each, there is something about the way you told LT Zamperini’s story that compelled me to keep turning the pages. At different times I laughed, cried, or was horrified, empowered, endeared or emotionally spent as the story unfolded. Louis Zamperini chose the right author to tell his story. You honored his life by protecting his dignity. As a veteran I wish to thank you for that and offer my congratulations on delivering to the world the journey of a man whose story should be told. Thank you.
Karen
San Diego
I also suffer whith chronic fatigue. My heart goes out to those who have this Awful sickness..I wish you all some kind of recovery. Totally understand your situation,,I have ordered the Book and looking forward to reading it..
I was watching Fox News this morning and saw a story about the book Unbroken, written by Laura Hillenbrand. I’m now putting together my own family history of World War II. I would appriciate it if she would check out my site. http://mysite.verizon.net/telh/index.html
I believe in omens — My name is Hildenbrand; her’s is hillenbrand. But I still have a long way to go finishing it
Dear Ms Hillenbrand: My father, Sgt. Bernard T. FitzPatrick, was a WWII POW in the Philippines and Japan and wrote the book, ‘The Hike Into The Sun’. His reason for writing the book was to make sure that the horrible and barbaric atrocities committed by the Japanese never go untold and that future generations never forget the heavy sacfrices that were made to defend our country.
To all the men and women worldwide that so valianty sacfriced their lives to protect our freedom – Thank you.
As a high school English teacher, we read part of Seabiscuit. When Unbroken came out, I bought it and finished it today. If anyone knows of how to email Ms. Hillenbrand, please let me know.
bobsealy@comcast.net
‘Unbroken’ was a fantastic piece of literature. It was compassionate, enlightening and painful to read about the various aspects of Zamperini’s life story. I cried, laughed and rooted for him and his undaunting spirit. Is he alive today? Thank you for this story that needed to be told – it would be a fantastic movie but I doubt that the p.c. crowd would approve.
This is a beautifully written, overwhelming book. Laura Hillenbrad has written two of the best books I have ever read. The emotional turmoil while reading this book is indescribable.
Thank you so much.
I have read hundreds of books, most hardcopy, and just finished the audio version of “Unbroken”. It’s an absolutely wonderful story and Edward Hermann’s narration is perfect.
Thank you Ms. Hillenbrand!
Dear Laura,
I’ve seldom been as gripped by a story as “Unbroken”, to the point where I had to tell myself to go to bed in the wee hours and then I lay thinking about what would come next. Then I was completely blown away by your chapter-by-chapter notations at the end. It was only after I finished that I learned of your own story, certainly another “unbroken”. I was a junior high student when WWII unfolded and of course, what we learned was the political history. Thank you for bringing the real horror story of the war to life.
Laura,
I just finished listening to UNBROKEN. I am a talk show junkie, however, I avoided radio because I could not stop listening to UNBROKEN. The story is so amazing that it is almost unbelievable but I know it is true. The story brought tears to my eyes. I guess because of the story and that I had three brothers in WWII. One was wounded and missing in action. The other two brothers spend any leave time looking for my wounded brother. All of them are now gone. I would like to finish an say WHAT AN AMAZING STORY!!. You did a great job. Also the narration was wonderfull.
Sincerely,
William Woerner
Hi pal, your blog’s style is simple and clean and i like it. Your weblog posts are excellent. Please maintain them coming. Greets!!!!
Hi Laura, I am now reading “unbroken”. What an unbelievable story of courage and faith. Your story also is so compelling and I pray that in time you’ll be able to experience a more active life. You have incredible talent and you truly bring the reading into Louis world. I truly am looking forward to your next project Laura. Best of wishes to you and your husband and may the lord guide and protect you.
Hi Laura,
I am an avid reader. I read about 8 books a month. I hate books about war. I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. I felt like I was on that raft with Louie and Phil. I hope you are feeling better. Please don’t wait ten years to write another book.
I hope a movie is made from this book. It will win the Oscar if done right. Should be 3 hours long. Ralf Finne can play Louie.
Author laura hillenbrand has done her best to keep at a minimum “Unbroken’s” Louis Zamperini hand shake with Adolph Hitler at the 1936 Olympics. When I asked her why, when his teammate Jesse Owens was snubbed, he decided to shake Hitlers hand, she replied, “Chris, it is a myth that Hitler snubbed Owens specifically.” Not true at all. Here’s what Zamperini had to say:
“Hitler came and shook my hand after the race,” Zamperini recalls. “I was one of three Americans who shook his hand. But what happened was that one of his advisors told him that once he starts shaking hands, he’ll have to shake all of them. We all knew he wasn’t going to shake Jesse’s hand.”
http://www.teamusa.org/news/2009/11/12/louis-zamperini-
a-lifetime-of-history/28932
It seem Louis Zamperini was fascinated by the Nazi’s, here is another incident:
True to form and before departing for home, the troublemaker turned champion runner stole a Nazi flag off the Reich’s Chancellery. Caught by the Gestapo, Zamperini convincingly talked his way out of the predicament and proudly brought the flag home.
http://sportshumanitarian.com/inductees/louis_zamperini.html
And after all these years, over half a century, this is what the man thinks of Hitler:
Zamperini shook the Nazi leader’s hand and thought the man odd. “Like a dangerous comedian,” he said.
“Veterans Journal,” Winter, 2006, Franklin County Veterans Service Commission, Columbus, Ohio.
http://www.franklincountyohio.gov/vets/assets/pdf/journalWinter2006.pdf
Really? A comedian? That’s a first in describing Hitler. Both Laura Hillenbrand and Louis Zamperini need to come clean about the Nazi question in the paperback version of “Unbroken” because now it is broken.
Dear Laura, I just finished Unbroken and cannot tell you how many times i had to simply pause,astonished that someone(louie)and many other POW’S had that strength and depth of willpower and stamina of the soul and life.Your writting skills brougth tears to this fifty seven year olds eyes countless times because i felt so much like i was part of the story. Mr. Zamperini is a true hero to the foundational spirit of this country and will live in my heart to be passed on to others.Thank you for all the hard and gifted work you have put into this book.GREAT JOB!! If the book ever becomes a movie , and you are looking for a song, i have written a song a few years back titled ”UNBROKEN SPIRIT” which may be very appropiate. Thanks again for all. JOE
I recommend both Devil at My Heels, and now Unbroken to my eighth grade students. I know Louie and live in his house, mentioned several times in both books. Louis Zamperini is an amazing individual. Thank you Laura Hillenbrand for doing this biography; it is a compelling read.
Blessings,
Bonnie Mae
My Uncle Richard Rockwood, who passed on three years ago at age 93, he was a paratrooper I think 82nd Airborne, he was one of the Liberators of the Japanese Prison Camp in Manilla.
sandra Rockwood Rusceta
rehoboth, Mass
Your article has inspired me. It’s interesting, thoughtful, compelling and well-written. You are a very talented writer with great skills and original thoughts. Your viewpoints match mine in many ways.