Irena's Children: A True Story of Courage

Irena’s Children is an engrossing and compelling read. It’s grim and brutal and unbearably heartbreaking but at its core there are scores of unbelievably courageous, selfless, inspiring people whose humanity, compassion and determination is breathtakingly beautiful and who deserve to have their stories known.I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook, usually simultaneously. This worked really well for me as there are a lot of characters and my brain does not absorb unfamiliar Polish names automatically or easily. Hearing the names pronounced helped me keep the characters straight.The story itself is outstanding and I highly recommend this book even though at times I wasn’t crazy about Mazzeo’s writing style. Though the writing flowed well, sometimes the style felt simplistic in the way of a book meant for teen readers though this is definitely intended for adults. I would recommend trying a sample before purchasing in case the style feels off to you.5+ stars for the story4- stars for the writing styleThat should result in 4.5 stars overall but the story is so gut wrenching, compelling and inspiring that I’m still giving it a full 5 stars and then some.

It has been said that Irena Sendler was the female Schindler of WW II. After reading this true story, I can only say that this lady should have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize instead of someone who won it for global warming.At 4' 11" of height one learns quickly that diminutive in stature has absolutely nothing to do with courage. Her absolutely daring exploits while working as a public health specialist allowed her access to the Warsaw ghetto in 1942 and beyond. Thus, begins the story of Irena and the 2500 Jewish children that were somehow brought to safety on the Aryan side. She was the first to admit that she was only one of many to help. And, always downplayed her role of saving the children.Dr. Radlinsha was a major influence in her life from 1935 to 1940. Dr. R’s students became known as her ‘girls’ later in the book and all were involved in the ghetto. Previous to that, Irena’s father was one that played an important role in creating the Polish Socialist Party. One is able to ascertain that she had major role models earlier in her life. Did they contribute to Irena’s stance in the ghetto? Absolutely, I feel.This is a complex story and the reader will soon learn that Irena is gifted with not only courage but purpose and righteousness. She also had that innate skill of organization coupled with a knowledge of Jewish culture which would also be life-saving in many instances. Decisions were made quickly and sometimes when the boots of the Gestapo were heard approaching.One also learns the importance of the formation of resistance cells in Warsaw. As one would expect, code names were used and no one knew the true identities of others. The Catholic Church and their endeavors to assist in ‘hiding’ the children was also incredible.I had to take a break every few chapters while reading this book. So, evocative and powerful that I truly had to come up for air. I kept thinking that the plight of so many was in the hands of so few individuals. The sheer number of daily executions was mind-numbing along with the inhumane treatment they suffered in the ghetto..For me, courage, an indomitable spirit and an innate knowledge of right versus wrong sum up Irena and the rescue of 'her' children. Thank God that Irena lived to be 98 years of age.Most highly recommended.

Irena's children is about a brave, spunky and courageous woman who, with the help,of many others, helped about 2500 Jewish children, and some adults in Warsaw, Poland. She was a social worker who had a pass to go into the ghetto until the very end.This book is well researched but for me, because Irena was fleeing any public praise or acclaim, preferred to leave many details about her miraculous accomplishments quiet. We know she had a Jewish married lover, but little is known about him. Many sentences said things like: "Maybe they were walking, or perhaps coffee, or simply chatting". It was very vague at times, and I wish the author had taken some liberties and just made it be a concrete sentence.With that being said, it is perhaps the best read on Irena and her moral compass to help the Jewish people in Warsaw. She was a hero. She deserved the novel prize that Al Gore got instead, because her story is relevant insofar as people turning their backs, she opened her arms and took as many as she could.

A great book!! sad though....

Enjoyed it mostly yet hard to read because of such cruelty and inhumane treatment. Almost stopped partway but stuck with it.History in the first person and what one person can do to help others.

Just read it..To all the evil in the world...People like Irena and dozens and dozens in the book..World still has hope...Irena Ala Adam rachela and many more ...One of the things which I learned from this book. A holocaust survivor rarely talked about their experience. You had to witness it.How you think you will react and how you react actually is different ..It seems it was preordained....Courage is the second name for irena and her friends..Just read it ..

Not an easy book to read ,horrific in places however we do need to find out what happened in Warsaw during world war2.What these people had to suffer is terrible ,they were so brave ,risking their lives & their family to save the Jewish children.I thought that the Jewish community leaders in 1945,were very harsh to Jaga Piotrowska & Jan Dobraczynski when they accused them of stealing the children & having them baptised but they did this to save the children.

A superb true story about a really exceptional young woman! Well worth reading.

I really enjoyed reading and learning of the atrocities that the Jewish people were forced to endure it was quite shocking what happened to the Jews in the hands of the Gestapo.