The heart-wrenching tale of 'The Zookeeper's Wife' by Diane Ackerman tells the harrowing yet ultimately inspiring story of Antonina Zabinski and her husband Jan during World War II. Set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Poland in 1939, this powerful novel chronicles their courageous efforts to save hundreds of Jews from certain death.

Antonina Zabinski was an ordinary Polish woman living a seemingly idyllic life with her veterinarian husband Dr. Jan at Warsaw's famous zoo. However, as war loomed on the horizon and Nazi forces invaded Poland in September 1939, Antonina's world would forever change. Her husband, who had been working at the zoo since before World War I to care for its vast array of animals, was conscripted into forced labor by the Germans.

As Hitler's regime tightened their grip on Warsaw, Dr. Zabinski saw an opportunity to resist Nazi rule while also saving countless lives. He secretly smuggled Jews from all walks of life - including children orphaned during roundups and elderly women - onto zoo grounds hidden behind animal enclosures and within secret tunnels beneath the premises.

Meanwhile Antonina continued her husband's vital work at home managing day-to-day operations as well as caring for their own two daughters while also hiding several dozen people in various parts of their house. Despite facing starvation hunger disease exhaustion fear and constant danger she persevered fueled by love loyalty courage determination to survive – all so that others might too.

Through the eyes of Antonina Zabinski 'The Zookeeper's Wife' brings alive one woman’s extraordinary journey during World War II - a testament to human resilience in face of unimaginable tragedy.

The zookeepers wife