Books matching: polish resistance
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- #1
Save:'The Zookeeper's Wife' by Diane Ackerman narrates the remarkable true story of Antonina and Jan Zabinski, a Polish couple who ran the Warsaw Zoo during World War II. The Zabinskis risked their lives to shelter and rescue hundreds of Jews and members of the Polish resistance, using their zoo as a safe haven. Ackerman's writing style weaves historical events with personal anecdotes, showcasing the bravery and resilience of the Zabinski family amidst the horrors of the Nazi occupation.
AT DAWN IN AN OUTLYING DISTRICT OF WARSAW, SUNLIGHT swarmed around the trunks of blooming linden trees and crept up the white walls of a 1930s stucco and glass villa where the zoo director and his wif... - #2
Save:Nineteen-year-old Emma Gershmann Bau, a Jewish woman, finds herself caught in the turmoil of World War II as she navigates love, loyalty, and resistance in the face of Nazi occupation. The novel delves into Emma's complex relationships with her husband, Jacob Bau, a Polish Jewish resistance fighter, and Kommandant Georg Richwalder, a high-ranking Nazi official. Set in Krakow, Poland, the book explores themes of love, sacrifice, and moral dilemmas against the backdrop of historical events such as the formation of the Krakow Ghetto and the Polish Resistance movements.
Despite being a work of historical fiction, the narrative skillfully weaves together elements of romance, tension, and historical accuracy to create a compelling story that sheds light on lesser-known aspects of World War II history, such as the Polish Jewish underground and the complexities of human emotions amidst wartime atrocities. Pam Jenoff's writing style vividly portrays the setting of Krakow and captures the emotional turmoil of the characters, making the reader emotionally invested in Emma's journey through love, loss, and resilience.
As we cut across the wide span of the market square, past the pigeons gathered around fetid puddles, I eye the sky warily and tighten my grip on Lukasz’s hand, willing him to walk faster. But the chil... - #3
Save:'Story of a Secret State' by Jan Karski is a gripping account of the author's experiences during World War II, particularly focusing on his involvement in the Polish underground resistance. Karski's narrative sheds light on the bravery and challenges faced by individuals like himself who fought against the Nazi regime. also delves into the horrors of the Holocaust, offering a first-hand testimony of the atrocities witnessed by Karski, adding a personal touch to the historical events. The writing style is described as well-constructed and beautifully written, capturing the reader's attention with its detailed descriptions and objective reporting of the events.
We would all like to imagine that we would have tried to stop the Holocaust. We would have crept into the ghettos to learn the truth, found our way to the Allied capitals, and made the case for action... - #4
Save:"The Volunteer: The True Story of the Resistance Hero who Infiltrated Auschwitz" by Jack Fairweather tells the remarkable true story of Witold Pilecki, a member of the Polish underground who volunteered to be imprisoned in Auschwitz to gather intelligence and organize resistance against the Nazis. Pilecki's harrowing experiences inside the camp, his efforts to alert the Allies about the atrocities of Auschwitz, and his subsequent fight against both the Germans and the Soviets are detailed in a gripping and well-researched narrative. Fairweather's writing style is described as powerful, captivating, and able to humanize the story through the use of photographs and detailed accounts of Pilecki's bravery and sacrifices.
As a young man he’d wanted to be an artist and had studied painting at university in the city of Wilno, only to abandon his schooling in the tumultuous years after World War I. Poland declared indepen... - #5
Save:'Irena's Children' is a poignant and powerful account of Irena Sendler's heroic efforts to save Jewish children during the horrors of WWII. The book vividly portrays the bravery and sacrifices made by Irena and her network of courageous individuals, highlighting the triumph of the human spirit amidst unimaginable atrocities. Through a blend of historical sources, personal interviews, and engaging storytelling, Tilar J. Mazzeo captures the essence of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, making this a compelling read for all ages.
In Yiddish folk tales, the story of Poland begins at dusk on a still summer night. At the edge of the sky, the forest grows dark. A weary family sets down their belongings in the grassy verge along a ... - #6
Save:The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert is a Christian historical novel set during World War II and its aftermath. The story follows the journey of Gretl, a young German girl, who survives a bomb attack on a train headed to Auschwitz and is rescued by Jakob, a Polish teenager. The plot spans decades and continents, exploring themes of friendship, love, religious and ethnic intolerance, and the impact of war on individuals. Joubert's writing style is authentic and mesmerizing, providing readers with a powerful and emotional read that delves into the complexities of identity, belonging, and the importance of faith.
Jakób Kowalski moved the heavy bag to his other shoulder. Flashes of lightning played sporadically among the dense clouds. It was their only source of light. The terrain was reasonably even underfoot,... - #7
Save:'While Still We Live' by Helen MacInnes is a World War II novel set in occupied Poland, depicting the struggles, hardships, and bravery of the Polish people during the Nazi invasion. The story follows a young English woman who gets caught up in the Nazi invasion and ends up getting drafted as a spy, facing challenges of trust and survival amidst the chaos of war. The novel intricately weaves together elements of romance, wartime heroics, and the devastation faced by the Polish people during this dark period in history.
The blinding directness of the sun had gone, but its heat remained. In front of the house, the island of uncut grass baked into brown hay. The pink roses were bleached white. Only the plot of scarlet ... - #8
Save:'Prague Fatale' by Philip Kerr is a historical crime novel set during the fall of 1941 and spring of 1942, focusing on detective Bernie Gunther's involvement in investigating a murder mystery while reluctantly working for the cruel Nazi SS Reinhard Heydrich in Prague. The book intricately weaves together elements of detective mystery and spy thriller genres, portraying the complex character of Gunther within the backdrop of Nazi Germany and wartime complications. Kerr's writing style is lauded for its historical accuracy, engaging plot development, and vividly described scenes that immerse readers in the dark and chilling atmosphere of the time period.
On such a night—and there were plenty of them—I used to dismantle my Walther automatic pistol and meticulously oil the metal jigsaw of pieces. I’d seen too many misfires for the want of a well-oiled g...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Bernard Gunther ) - #9
Save:'Lilac Girls' by Martha Hall Kelly is a historical fiction novel set during World War II, focusing on the experiences of three women - Caroline, a New York socialite involved in humanitarian efforts, Kasia, a Polish teenager caught in the underground resistance, and Herta, a German doctor at the Ravensbruck concentration camp. The story spans from the late 1930s to the late 1950s, intertwining the lives of these women as they navigate the horrors of war, including medical experiments and the aftermath of the conflict.
The narrative alternates between the viewpoints of these three women, providing a rich variety of experiences throughout the war and beyond. The author skillfully weaves together their stories, exploring themes of survival, resilience, and the long-lasting effects of both cruelty and hope on the human spirit. delves into the lesser-known aspects of World War II, shedding light on the Rabbits of Ravensbruck and the atrocities committed during the war, while also touching on the post-war recovery and struggles faced by survivors.
If I’d known I was about to meet the man who’d shatter me like bone china on terra-cotta, I would have slept in. Instead, I roused our florist, Mr. Sitwell, from his bed to make a boutonnière. My firs... - #10
Save:'The Auschwitz Volunteer: Beyond Bravery' by Jarek Garlinski, Michael Schudrich, Witold Pilecki provides a harrowing and compelling firsthand account of Captain Witold Pilecki's experiences at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. Pilecki, a Catholic Pole and patriot, volunteered to enter Auschwitz undercover in 1940 to gather intelligence and establish a resistance effort within the camp. The narrative unfolds with detailed descriptions of the brutal conditions endured by prisoners, the constant brutality, and the everyday struggles for survival. The writing style is straightforward, factual, and reveals the atrocities faced by those incarcerated in the camp, shedding light on a dark chapter in history.
In fact, this report was the third and most comprehensive one that Pilecki wrote on his time in Auschwitz. In June 1943, shortly after his escape from the camp, while staying with the Serafińskis in N...
