The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story

THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE: A WAR STORY: Diane Ackerman: W.W. Norton: Nonfiction: 368 pgs.

Jan and Antonina Zabinski are the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo in Poland before, during and after the German occupation. This history tells of their efforts to shelter escaping Jews in their villa and the zoo’s buildings, as well as their involvement in the Polish Resistance. Ackerman brings the Zoo and its occupants, both human and non, to life as they survive this harrowing period in history.

I love reading stories of World War II and those brave people who sacrificed so much to save friends, neighbors, and strangers from danger and death. This book clearly describes the extremes in human nature the Holocaust illuminated, the atrocious acts of the Nazis and the heroic acts of those who fought against them. I can highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an accurate, sincere, and inspiring story of courage, sacrifice, and love.

(I would like to add...that I did really like this book...but I did have a few little issues with how many animals they just let run around the house...on the dinner table....in their beds. I know I am not an animal person...but seriuosly!)