Books like 'Unbroken'

February 4, 2011 8:51 AM

If you've read Laura Hillenbrand's, 'Unbroken' what other books would you recommend for a 16 year old who loved it?

My nephew loved 'Unbroken' what other books can I steer him towards? Thanks!

posted by nnk to Media & Arts (7 answers total)

For a gripping story of WWII survival you might try Flyboys, though it was a lot more disturbing than Unbroken. Flags Of Our Fathers, by the same author, is equally great though less about survival and more political. Great movie, too.

For survival stories in general you might want Touching The Void by Joe Simpson or anything about Shackleton's ill-fated Antarctic expedition.

I'm currently reading Matterhorn, a novel about the Vietnam war, and I'm really enjoying it. Though if the leech scene in Stand By Me creeps him out this may not be the best book for him. *shudder*
posted by bondcliff at 8:58 AM on February 4, 2011

If he's into WWII, he might like Citizen Soldiers and D-Day by Stephen Ambrose. Both are very readable. I particularly liked the boots-on-the-ground focus of Citizen Soldiers.

For survival/adventure type things, In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick.
posted by something something at 9:01 AM on February 4, 2011

Well this may sound odd, but Hillenbrand's other big book, Seabiscuit. She takes a subject that might seem dull or uninteresting and makes it absolutely riveting.
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:32 AM on February 4, 2011 [1 favorite]

Nathaniel Philbrick's books are similarly engaging and well-written nonfiction about specific moments in history. If he's read Moby Dick for school, he might especially like Philbrick's In the Heart of the Sea.
posted by judith at 10:53 AM on February 4, 2011

Operation Mincemeat by Ben MacIntyre; The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger; No Way Down by Graham Bowley; Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.

Alan Furst's World War II spy novels might also appeal.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:00 PM on February 4, 2011

Ghost Soldiers, by Hampton Sides. Any Jon Krakauer.
posted by meghanagain at 1:36 PM on February 4, 2011

Devil's Teeth and Wave, both by Susan Casey. Also 2nding Seabiscuit. The common thread for me is in-depth treatment of subject matter and truly exciting writing. All four of these books have those two qualities. Watching this thread for more ideas!
posted by lvanshima at 11:33 PM on February 5, 2011