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Another book I returned unfinished to the library.
I struggled with this book - it was as if the author sat down to write a story, and realized that she didn't have enough plotline to fill up an entire book; perhaps a short story but not a book. Rather than say, "Gosh, I better choose another story" the author decided to use a whole lot of fillers. There were pages of descriptions about things I couldn't care less about (like beetles!) just so she could introduce a character who would only be in ...more
I struggled with this book - it was as if the author sat down to write a story, and realized that she didn't have enough plotline to fill up an entire book; perhaps a short story but not a book. Rather than say, "Gosh, I better choose another story" the author decided to use a whole lot of fillers. There were pages of descriptions about things I couldn't care less about (like beetles!) just so she could introduce a character who would only be in ...more
I loved the idea of the book and thought the premise was amusing, something I'd never read with Holocaust books. I have an appreciation for those who were subjected to the atrocities of war and particularly, the Holocaust. I never really thought about what happened to the animals during this time. Amazing what people had to do to survive.
However, this book was hard to get into--I finally started to get into it around page 150, nearly half way into it.
Quotes/Things I learned:
"Most people know th ...more
However, this book was hard to get into--I finally started to get into it around page 150, nearly half way into it.
Quotes/Things I learned:
"Most people know th ...more
Wow! Amazing true story of two zookeepers (husband and wife) that didn't set out to become heroes, and weren't particularly brave, but because they saw the opportunity to do the right thing, and to save lives - they risked theirs...
This should be encouraged reading in high school history. It would be fascinating to pick it apart, and study the battles that were raging around the zoo, but it's easy to get swept up in bad guys vs good guys, and forget there are so many other casualties (animals, ...more
This should be encouraged reading in high school history. It would be fascinating to pick it apart, and study the battles that were raging around the zoo, but it's easy to get swept up in bad guys vs good guys, and forget there are so many other casualties (animals, ...more
an absorbing read, for the many twists and turn of plot and perspective, for the curious bits of historical contexts (especailly re the nazi obsession with recreating "aryan" era flora and fauna) for the compelling characters, so grimly challenging and often outwitting Fate, for the sometimes overblown, yet always moving language and syntax of author. would recommend this highly to all
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A decent recounting of the efforts of a Polish couple to salvage their Warsaw zoo during German occupation in World War II, and then their use of the grounds through a host various incarnation to provide cover for their Underground activities, which included providing shelter for well over three hundred Jewish refugees. They also tried to help Jewish friends in the Ghetto.
my first kindle purchase... In my opinion you need to have backround knowledge of the Third Reich to follow the timeline as well as the enormous losses of people, cultures, etc. across Europe. This piece focuses on a couple who act, who challenge, who perservere... a small but an ultimate significant occurance...
Mar 02, 2008
Kelly
marked it as to-read
Apr 23, 2008
Tracyene
marked it as to-read
Jun 09, 2008
Kelly
marked it as to-read
Jun 12, 2008
Zanajune
marked it as to-read
May 23, 2009
Nicki
marked it as to-read
Aug 10, 2009
Kate MacKinnon
marked it as to-read
Aug 06, 2013
Jessie
marked it as to-read
