The Zookeeper's Wife

A War Story

By: Diane Ackerman

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

The New York Times bestseller now a major motion picture starring Jessica Chastain.

A true story in which the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo saved hundreds of people from Nazi hands.

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, bestselling 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.

Jan led a cell of saboteurs, and the Zabinski’s young son risked his life carrying food to the guests, while also tending to an eccentric array of creatures in the house: pigs, hare, muskrat, foxes, and more. With hidden people having animal names and pet animals having human names, it’s a small wonder the zoo’s code name 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, 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.

©2007 Diane Ackerman (P)2007 BBC Audiobooks America

Critic reviews

"Ackerman's writing is viscerally evocative, as in her description of the effects of the German bombing of the zoo area....This suspenseful beautifully crafted story deserves a wide readership." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Ackerman's affecting telling of the heroic Zabinskis' dramatic story illuminates the profound connection between humankind and nature, and celebrates life's beauty, mystery, and tenacity." ( Booklist)

More like a documentry

The flow of the book was a little disjointed as the information was taken from journals and historical documents. It was very interesting, however, and made me have great respect for the 'rescuers' and their bravery. The reader did a good job with lots of different accents.

Best Book of my Year

This was one of the best books i have listened to in years. I couldn't stop listening. My mind kept imagining what it must have been like for this family during World War II. This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat all the way through. I am sure this will be a movie one of these days. I sure hope so!

Bittersweet Trip to this Zoo

I really enjoyed learning more about the relationship between Nazi Germany and Poland during the war. Although what happened is horrific, the bravery shown by the Zookeepers was inspiring. They risked their lives to help their Jewish friends and neighbors. I'm sorry for the loss of animal life but grateful that they were able to share their shelters to save humans. It was ingenious! A great history lesson for all!

Well done

I saw the movie and wondered how close to the book it was. They are close but the book is better. The reader is really what makes this a great listen.

Outstanding and sadly relevant to today

The issue immigration out of Nazi controlled Poland is relevant today as many people flee untenable situations. Beauty and hope are also present to help get past the truly sad parts. Well written.