ePub Irena's Children: The Extraordinary Story of the Woman Who Saved 2;500 Children from the Warsaw Ghetto by Tilar J. Mazzeo in History

Review

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful. Another Unreasonable Woman Makes History.By Lee DyerThis truly is an extraordinary book about an extraordinary woman. I couldn't put it down. Reasonable women don't make history; they say; and certainly Irena Sendler was not a "reasonable woman". She was a zealot; driven by a strong moral compass; a deep sense of purpose; and unbelievable courage to put an indelible footprint on the meaning of humanity amidst unbelievable inhumanity. But what particularly sets her apart; I think; was her unique ability to translate these traits into action - to attract others to the cause and to organize their efforts toward a common goal; always under intense stress and just one small misstep from disaster. No question she was totally devoted to the cause; often at the expense of other facets of her life. She was no role model for work-life balance. But through her efforts the lives of some 2;500 children were saved. Surely that's balance of another sort.Anyway; Sendler's is a gripping story and Tilar Mazzeo; as readers of her previous books know; is a gripping story-teller. She does what so many scholars and teachers of history fail to do - bring the events and characters of her story to life. She is an indefatigable researcher who has a fine eye for details; but couples this with a deft narrative style that keeps things moving along at a good clip. Fair warning; though; this is not an easy story to be drawn into - the milieu is so unbelievably horrible and gruesome - and good does not always triumph over evil. But there are enough times when it does to restore one's faith in human nature and provide a ray of hope for the future.So thanks; Tilar. You've hit another home run..41 of 43 people found the following review helpful. A Hero's StoryBy Julie MerilattOften referred to as the female Schindler; Irena Sendler was credited with saving 2;500 Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto. As a social worker; she was in a unique position to have access to the walled city within the city and the deprivation and inhumanity within. She saved orphans and children whose families were doomed; often convincing parents to send their children away. These kids were offered new identities with forged paperwork; and taught to live as Christians to ensure their safety. Though the Nazi’s never determined how imperative she was to the Polish resistance; they knew Irena was a collaborator and her capture and merciless torture was inevitable. The fact that she survived and escaped was miraculous; and that didn’t deter her from continuing her selfless endeavors. She risked her own life daily and the vast network of people who assisted her were heroes in their own right.This book illustrates that being a Pole in Warsaw during German occupation was the worst situation to be in; but being a Polish Jew was an even more horrific prospect. Irena witnessed thousands of people transported to Treblinka; the liquidation of the ghetto; and the destruction of her city. One of the saddest scenes was Irena helplessly witnessing the liquidation of an orphanage and the stoic bravery of the children and the doctor in charge who voluntarily accompanied them. In Irena’s own words; “…that tragic precession of innocent children marching to their own deaths.” But because of her; thousands of children were saved and future generations exist because of her organization; defiance; and bravery.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.44 of 47 people found the following review helpful. The Polish social worker who saved more Jewish children during the Holocaust than Schindler.....By gilly8This is a newly written book about Irena Sendler; the Polish Catholic social worker who saved over 2500 Jewish children during the Holocaust.She smuggled them out; one by one; in most cases; from the Warsaw Ghetto; in which thousands of Polish Jews were crammed; starving; likely to be shot at any time; or forced to board trains for extermination camps. (Though for most of the time no one knew for sure the destination of the trains.....later rumors began to spread; but people still found it hard to believe....).Irena Sendler worked with many others; but was the moral and physical leader of her group.....she took daily risks; going into the Ghetto and then talking Jewish families into giving up their children to her; based on just the hope that they would safer with her organization than left with their families. (In most cases; the children were hidden in convents and among sympathetic Polish families; who all knew they risked their lives and their family's lives by taking in Jewish children).Irena Sendler wanted to try to reunite these children with their families after the war....therefore she hid each child's name in a glass jar; buried in a friend's garden......(That is why the older book about her is called "Life in a Jar".....it is also an excellent book....and was instrumental in leading to Sendler being nominated for a Nobel prize.....)Of course; almost all the families of these children did not survive the war......So few people really cared to know what was going on in those years......only a few risked it all to try to save some people......she was one; and was; sadly; forgotten by history until very recently.....I'm glad she is now being recognized for her deeds......