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The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story

by Diane Ackerman

The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

'When Germany invaded Poland, Stuka bombers devastated Warsaw'"and the city's zoo along with it. With most of their animals dead, zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski began smuggling Jews into empty cages. Another dozen "guests" hid inside the Zabinskis' villa, emerging after dark for dinner, socializing, and, during rare moments of calm, piano concerts. Jan, active in the polish resistance, kept ammunition buried in the elephant enclosure and stashed explosives in the animal hospital. Meanwhile, Antonina kept her unusual household afloat, caring for both its human and its animal inhabitants'"otters, a badger, hyena pups, lynxes.

With her exuberant prose and exquisite sensitivity to the natural world, Diane Ackerman engages us viscerally in the lives of the zoo animals, their keepers, and their hidden visitors. She shows us how Antonina refused to give in to the penetrating fear of discovery, keeping alive an atmosphere of play and innocence even as Europe crumbled around her.'

Synopsis:

A true story--as powerful as "Schindler's List"--in which the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo saved hundreds of people from Nazi hands.

Synopsis:

' The New York Times bestseller: a true story in which the keepers of the Warsaw zoo saved hundreds of people from Nazi hands. n

'

About the Author

'Diane Ackermanis the author of the best-selling A Natural History of the Senses, among many other books. She lives in upstate New York.'

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
Laurie Blum, November 10, 2008 (view all comments by Laurie Blum)
Diane Ackerman's "The Zookeeper's Wife" is a book that I have read more than once & each time, the novel seems to touch a different nerve in my heart & soul! Excellent fictional history which begins with Germany invading Poland, devastating & horrifying Warsaw. As most of their animals are now dead or severly injured, zookeepers Antonina Zabinski & her husband Jan begin smuggling Jewish people into empty cages ... you will not believe how this tale develops! This creative author keeps my attention with vivid, descriptive detail through her elegant prose & delicate sensitivity to the natural world. I would recommend this unique war story for mature adult book clubs.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780393333060
Subtitle:
A War Story
Author:
Ackerman, Diane
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Subject:
Holocaust
Subject:
Eastern Europe - Poland
Subject:
Military - World War II
Subject:
Europe - Eastern
Subject:
Righteous gentiles in the holocaust
Subject:
Ethnic relations
Subject:
Zabinski, Jan
Subject:
Zabinska, Antonina
Publication Date:
September 2008
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
368
Dimensions:
8.18x5.48x.98 in. .69 lbs.

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