Book Buzz: 'Unbroken' rises after Zamperini's death

Coverage of the July 2 death of Louis Zamperini at age 97 dramatically boosted sales of Unbroken, Laura Hillenbrand's non-fiction book about the Olympian and World War II hero. The book jumps from No. 88 to No. 7 on USA TODAY's Best-Selling Books list.

The 2010 title has been on USA TODAY's list for 160 weeks and has been as high as No. 3 (on Dec. 23, 2010). Sales increased in recent months again because of publicity surrounding Angelina Jolie's film adaptation, due Christmas Day.

"It is a loss impossible to describe," Jolie said in a statement last week. "We are all so grateful for how enriched our lives are for having known (Zamperini). We will miss him terribly."

As an airman during World War II, Zamperini was on a flight that crashed into the Pacific. He spent 47 days adrift in a life raft before being captured by the Japanese.

Author Hillenbrand said: "His story is a lesson in the potential that lies within all of us to summon strength amid suffering, love in the face of cruelty, joy from sorrow."

A first paperback edition of Unbroken is due from Random House on July 29. It will include an interview with Hillenbrand, as well as new photos. A movie tie-in edition is due in the fall.

The book has sold nearly 4 million copies in all formats.