This story (this audio book) had such promise -- the setting, the war, the animals. But it was so disappointing. I couldn't keep my mind on it. Sometimes it seemed like a textbook on how to feed certain types of zoo animals. And I wondered -- Where's the tension? Where's the drama? I must have finished the book, because it's on my "have read" list. But can't recall. Sigh. ( )

I learned a tremendous amount of facts concerning the effects of the war on Poland. I had never given any consideration to the fact that the Nazi's looked down on the Polish people or to the war's influence on animal life. ( )

I picked this up at a library book sale. I'd heard a lot about it, but (as I do) had resisted reading it when it was a bestseller and the topic of universal raves. I was also familiar with the author, but as a poet, not a historian.

The topic is interesting: On the eve of World War II, Antonina and Jan own and run the Warsaw Zoo. The zoo is bombed by the Nazis, many of the animals die, and the couple create a haven for Jews to hide in the empty buildings and maintenance tunnels beneath the zoo. As Jan works for the Polish underground, Antonina struggles to run the safe house, raise her children, feed all the people, and keep it all hidden from the patrolling Germans.

The story is dramatic and heroic, ordinary people doing extraordinary things in a time of immense danger and privation. Rings all my bells. But what disappointed me was the prose. It's very straightforward and matter of fact. Even stilted in some places. I expected more from a poet, honestly. I get that this is non-fiction, but that doesn't mean you can't have compelling prose.

Despite this issue, I still enjoyed the story and marveled anew at humanity's capacity for extremes of both brutality and grace. I also learned some things about zookeeping and exotic animal breeding. ( )

I have nothing untoward to say about this book, it was certainly well-written and incredibly well-researched, but it missed the mark for me. I believe it was a difficult subject, to write a book about an unpublished journal that isn’t yours, but I expected more. I wanted less detail - which is an odd thing to want in a book. If there is such a thing, I was inundated with too much minutia about everything. Praises for Ms. Ackerman, just not my style of book; the real and only reason for a lesser star review. ( )

I always enjoy Ackerman's book, and this one even more than many of her others. There was less of the author herself permeating the pages the characters and story were allowed to take center stage ( )