After their zoo was bombed, Polish zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski managed to save over three hundred people from the Nazis by hiding refugees in the empty animal cages. With animal names for these “guests,” and human names for the animals, it’s no wonder that the zoo’s code name became “The House Under a Crazy Star.” Best-selling naturalist and acclaimed storyteller Diane Ackerman combines … combines extensive research and an exuberant writing style to re-create this fascinating, true-life story–sharing Antonina’s life as “the zookeeper’s wife,” while examining the disturbing obsessions at the core of Nazism. Winner of the 2008 Orion Award.
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I just finished the book and was completely enthralled with the tale of Jan and Antonina Jablinski and how they helped save over 300 Jews during WWII. Hiding “guests” in their villa and in various animal enclosures throughout the Warsaw Zoo meant death if their actions were discovered. In addition to helping many escape death at the hands of Nazi …
Non fiction story of the wife of a zookeeper who helped to hide Jews during the war in Warsaw. A story I had never heard before of another courageous family helping hundreds to stay alive.
A fascinating story based on the wartime heroics of Jan and Antonina Żabiński, who, after their Warsaw Zoo was bombed, hid and housed over 300 refugees in the structures of the zoo, including animal cages. The lives they saved at great risk to their own humbles me. One of those lives was that of Irena Sendler, the young Polish woman who with …
I love books like this: history brought to life in the most poignant, beautiful way. The story is magnificent, inspiring, and emboldening, which is stark against the backdrop of Nazi occupation and the absolute evil that happened behind the front. It’s based on a true story, and one which I believe everyone should know. Highly recommended.
Great story telling about another forgotten tragedy of war!
This is the true story of the zookeeper’s of the Warsaw zoo in Poland. They helped save 100’s of people from the Nazi’s during World War II. Jan and Antonia Zabinski hid people during the war in their now almost empty zoo. Their zoo acted as a sanctuary, a pass through, and an Underground escape. The author of this book pieces together stories …
Beautiful book set in a not so nice time in world history
A beautifully written, amazing true story from WWII that will haunt you long after you’ve read it. The movie was equally great and extremely well cast.
I like reading books based on history – especially World War II. However, I found this one hard to follow and had to push myself to finish it. Perhaps the ads I saw for the movie were misleading.
it is a really good story because it shows very well are history during ww2
This is a story about Poland during WW II. A zookeepers wife loses her zoo during the war but finds ways to help the resistance and save Jewish lives.
Another tragic story about German occupation.
Very interesting and truly important story, but a bit stiff in the telling – pretty cut and dry. However, the true account of what happened to the zoo, the family, the animals, the Jews, etc., will keep you reading on to find out how it all ends. Lots of sad moments, but with it being about war-time, it’s to be expected. A few real moments of …
Somewhat dry