Jan and Antonina Zabinski were Polish Christian zookeepers horrified by Nazi racism, who managed to save over three hundred people. Yet their story has fallen between the seams of history. Drawing on Antonina's diary and other historical sources, best-selling naturalist Diane Ackerman vividly re-creates Antonina's life as "the zookeeper's wife," responsible for her own family, the zoo animals, and their "Guests"-Resistance activists and refugee Jews, many of whom Jan had smuggled from the Warsaw Ghetto. Ironically, the ...
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Jan and Antonina Zabinski were Polish Christian zookeepers horrified by Nazi racism, who managed to save over three hundred people. Yet their story has fallen between the seams of history. Drawing on Antonina's diary and other historical sources, best-selling naturalist Diane Ackerman vividly re-creates Antonina's life as "the zookeeper's wife," responsible for her own family, the zoo animals, and their "Guests"-Resistance activists and refugee Jews, many of whom Jan had smuggled from the Warsaw Ghetto. Ironically, the empty zoo cages helped to hide scores of doomed people, who were code-named after the animals whose names they occupied. Others hid in the nooks and crannies of the house itself. Jan led a cell of saboteurs, and the Zabinskis' young son risked his life carrying food to the Guests, while also tending an eccentric array of creatures in the house. With hidden people having animal names, and pet animals having human names, it's small wonder the zoo's codename became "The House Under a Crazy Star." Yet there is more to this story than a colorful cast. With her exquisite sensitivity to the natural world, Diane Ackerman explores the role of nature in both kindness and savagery, and she unravels the fascinating and disturbing obsession at the core of Nazism: both a worship of nature and its violation, as humans sought to control the genome of the entire planet.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has soft covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 400grams, ISBN: 9780393333060.
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Seller's Description:
Good. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ] [ Edition: first ] book has a faint smell of smoke Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co. Pub Date: 9/17/2008 Binding: Paperback Pages: 368.
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Seller's Description:
The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are solid. the cover is intact, but may show scuffs or light creases, as well as a possible rolled corner. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, The former owner may have written their name inside the front or back cover. COVER WILL VARY. The cover has curled corners.
An excellent book how a zoo keepere and his wife survived in Warsaw during the Nazi oppression. Vivid description of life in the ghetto and of Poland during its liberation and then when the Russian army arrived. A remarkable story, and told in an excellent manor
MMBEENE
Jun 21, 2009
Doing the right thing
A quick read, this book was interesting in that it shows a completely different side to WWII. Although the Nazis separated the Jews by putting them into a horrific ghetto, the citizans of Warsaw did not let that stop them--including the zoo keeper and his wife. Although Christian, she sees everyone as human--much as she views the animals of the zoo--creatures created by God to be loved, nurtured, and protected. She risks her life and her family's to do what was morally right even when it meant immediate death if caught. This book demonstrates what people hold dear and what they will truly do in the face of evil. Some participate in the evil, but some rise above it commiting simple, compassionate acts that saves others' lives. I cannot imagine being faced with this choice, but I hope that this inspiring story helps me do the right thing.
pamela1717
May 9, 2009
Abandoned
Even though I abandoned this I will still give it 2 stars simply because I think true life experiences are valuable. I abandoned this one after about 150 pages simply because it just seemed to generalized for me and the information wasn't organized well. I'm not quite sure how exactly to explain it except there just didn't seem to be much of a foundation for some of the occurrences she wrote about--she would address/initiate something as if we already knew it was going on. I wouldn't mind seeing this story again but from a different author.
welshwoman
Mar 21, 2008
Simply Stated
Positive: Poetically written and well-researched describes The Zookeeper's Wife, a retelling of life in Warsaw, Poland before, during and after the Nazi occupation of WWII. Negative: The drama of the story begins slowly, builds to a climax, then drops as quickly. I ended the book emotionally spent, wanting more details and needing closure. In conclusion, The Zookeeper's Wife celebrates the resourcefulness of humans living under the worst of circumstances. Well-worth reading.
