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The Zookeepers' War: An Incredible True Story from the Cold War
The unbelievable true story of the Cold War’s strangest proxy war , fought between the zoos on either side of the Berlin Wall.
“The liveliness of Mohnhaupt’s storytelling and the wonderful eccentricity of his subject matter make this book well worth a read.” — Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Living in West Berlin in the 1960s often felt like living in a zoo, everyone packed together behind a wall, with the world always watching. On the other side of the Iron Curtain, East Berlin and its zoo were spacious and lush, socialist utopias where everything was perfectly planned... and then rarely completed.
Berlin’s two zoos in East and West quickly became symbols of the divided city’s two halves. So no one was terribly surprised when the head zookeepers on either side started an animal arms race—rather than stockpiling nuclear warheads, they competed to have the most pandas and hippos. Soon, state funds were being diverted toward giving these new animals lavish welcomes worthy of visiting dignitaries. West German presidential candidates were talking about zoo policy on the campaign trail. And eventually politicians on both side of the Wall became convinced that if their zoo proved to be inferior, that would mean their country’s whole ideology was too.
A quirky piece of Cold War history unlike anything you’ve heard before, The Zookeepers’ War is an epic tale of desperate rivalries, human follies, and an animal-mad city in which zookeeping became a way of continuing politics by other means.
“The liveliness of Mohnhaupt’s storytelling and the wonderful eccentricity of his subject matter make this book well worth a read.” — Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Living in West Berlin in the 1960s often felt like living in a zoo, everyone packed together behind a wall, with the world always watching. On the other side of the Iron Curtain, East Berlin and its zoo were spacious and lush, socialist utopias where everything was perfectly planned... and then rarely completed.
Berlin’s two zoos in East and West quickly became symbols of the divided city’s two halves. So no one was terribly surprised when the head zookeepers on either side started an animal arms race—rather than stockpiling nuclear warheads, they competed to have the most pandas and hippos. Soon, state funds were being diverted toward giving these new animals lavish welcomes worthy of visiting dignitaries. West German presidential candidates were talking about zoo policy on the campaign trail. And eventually politicians on both side of the Wall became convinced that if their zoo proved to be inferior, that would mean their country’s whole ideology was too.
A quirky piece of Cold War history unlike anything you’ve heard before, The Zookeepers’ War is an epic tale of desperate rivalries, human follies, and an animal-mad city in which zookeeping became a way of continuing politics by other means.
272 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
November 13, 2019
"Don't trust anyone besides us. We're not interested in politics. We deal only with animals."
3.5 stars
After WWII, Germany saw the division of East Berlin from West Berlin. The Berlin Zoo remained on the West side (the Bonn Republic), but shortly after the divide Berlin saw the development of a new zoo on the East side (GDR). This created tension and competition between zoo directors and its employees. The politics involved and the active Strasi secret police often created tension for the zoo directors. Politics heavily influenced their trading and buying. Years later, with the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the two zoos were even more laden with politics.
"Families were separated, West Berlin sealed off. And block by concrete block, the front lines were drawn between the Tierpark and the Berlin Zoo."
The "war" between zookeepers does not begin until the very end of chapter 3 (marked at 32% on a Kindle). I enjoyed the first half more than the second half. There were more "fillers" such as lives, employees and their families, zoo structures, etc...in the second half. (This could be because the Berlin Wall limited their relationship, communication, and animal movement. The Berlin Wall is built and established at 43 % in the book.) I really enjoyed reading about the political effect on the economy and trading.
There are no footnotes in this source. There is a "Works Consulted" list at the end which acts similarly, but it makes it difficult to cite which from what within the book itself since there are no page numbers or chapters showing where this information was presented.
The two zoo directors it focuses on are Heinz-Georg Klos directing the West Berlin Zoo and Heinrich Dath directing the East Berlin Tierpark Zoo. Zoologists and others mentioned include, but are not limited to Jorg Adler, Falk Dathe, Lothar Dittrich, Wolfgang Gewalt, Katharima Heinroth, Heiner Klos, Bernd Matern, Patric Muller, and Ralf Weilandt.
I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
After WWII, Germany saw the division of East Berlin from West Berlin. The Berlin Zoo remained on the West side (the Bonn Republic), but shortly after the divide Berlin saw the development of a new zoo on the East side (GDR). This created tension and competition between zoo directors and its employees. The politics involved and the active Strasi secret police often created tension for the zoo directors. Politics heavily influenced their trading and buying. Years later, with the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the two zoos were even more laden with politics.
"Families were separated, West Berlin sealed off. And block by concrete block, the front lines were drawn between the Tierpark and the Berlin Zoo."
The "war" between zookeepers does not begin until the very end of chapter 3 (marked at 32% on a Kindle). I enjoyed the first half more than the second half. There were more "fillers" such as lives, employees and their families, zoo structures, etc...in the second half. (This could be because the Berlin Wall limited their relationship, communication, and animal movement. The Berlin Wall is built and established at 43 % in the book.) I really enjoyed reading about the political effect on the economy and trading.
There are no footnotes in this source. There is a "Works Consulted" list at the end which acts similarly, but it makes it difficult to cite which from what within the book itself since there are no page numbers or chapters showing where this information was presented.
The two zoo directors it focuses on are Heinz-Georg Klos directing the West Berlin Zoo and Heinrich Dath directing the East Berlin Tierpark Zoo. Zoologists and others mentioned include, but are not limited to Jorg Adler, Falk Dathe, Lothar Dittrich, Wolfgang Gewalt, Katharima Heinroth, Heiner Klos, Bernd Matern, Patric Muller, and Ralf Weilandt.
I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher. Opinions are my own.
November 4, 2019
3.5 rounded up.
A little-known true story of the fierce rivalry between zoos on either side of the Berlin Wall that would grow to become a symbol of the divided city; instead of stockpiling weapons, it was all about which side could incorporate the best animals to make their zoo into the BEST. Money poured in as competition grew and things turned political.
The committed and resourceful zoo staff accomplished so much for the love of animals. Inspirational. I was especially taken with accomplished Doctor of Zoology Kathe Heinroth, the only female zoo director who had to deal with the Boys’ Club, the guys in power who believed only men had director capability.
The author has meticulously detailed the events of this unique story. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A little-known true story of the fierce rivalry between zoos on either side of the Berlin Wall that would grow to become a symbol of the divided city; instead of stockpiling weapons, it was all about which side could incorporate the best animals to make their zoo into the BEST. Money poured in as competition grew and things turned political.
The committed and resourceful zoo staff accomplished so much for the love of animals. Inspirational. I was especially taken with accomplished Doctor of Zoology Kathe Heinroth, the only female zoo director who had to deal with the Boys’ Club, the guys in power who believed only men had director capability.
The author has meticulously detailed the events of this unique story. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 10, 2021
I thought this was a fabulous book. As long as I can remember, animals have been fascinating and appealing to me, and zoos just as much so. However, my favorite aspect of this book were the people who were profiled, including Katharina Heinroth, the first female zoo director of the Berlin Zoo and in Germany. How she restored the zoo to prominence following bombardment by the allied forces during the final days of WWII, and fought for zoo funding and even her own job (while under pressure from the zoo board for her to resign in favor of a male director), made for very compelling reading. The director of the East Berlin Tierpark, Henrich Dathe, was also very intriguing. All of the directors profiled, including Heinz-Georg Klos, poured their life work into their zoos and animals.
Coverage of zoos, directors and staff isn't limited to Berlin. Other cities are referred to, such as Leipzig and Hanover. The outspoken and sometimes controversial director of the Duisburg Zoo, Wolfgang Gewalt, makes more than one appearance including his unsuccessful attempts to capture "Moby Dick" - a beluga whale which found itself in the Rhine River, garnering much media attention for it and Gewalt.
I found Mohnhaupt's writing style very accessible and conversational. At no point did I feel the names, locales or any other details took away from the prose, especially since Mohnhaupt tended to succinctly reintroduce any names that appeared. It was rare that a mention of a name wasn't followed by the zoo or locale that the individual was affiliated with.
This was my first time to read numerous details about historic Berlin, the divided city of the Cold War. The only reason that I gave the book 4 instead or 5 stars was that I felt there could have been more information about post-Wall Berlin. However, given the primacy of coverage about Dahlte and Klos, the quick wrap up of the narrative made good sense.
This book inspired me to look up more about the zoo directors, the zoos and animals, Berlin, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was definitely one of my favorite reads of the year!
Coverage of zoos, directors and staff isn't limited to Berlin. Other cities are referred to, such as Leipzig and Hanover. The outspoken and sometimes controversial director of the Duisburg Zoo, Wolfgang Gewalt, makes more than one appearance including his unsuccessful attempts to capture "Moby Dick" - a beluga whale which found itself in the Rhine River, garnering much media attention for it and Gewalt.
I found Mohnhaupt's writing style very accessible and conversational. At no point did I feel the names, locales or any other details took away from the prose, especially since Mohnhaupt tended to succinctly reintroduce any names that appeared. It was rare that a mention of a name wasn't followed by the zoo or locale that the individual was affiliated with.
This was my first time to read numerous details about historic Berlin, the divided city of the Cold War. The only reason that I gave the book 4 instead or 5 stars was that I felt there could have been more information about post-Wall Berlin. However, given the primacy of coverage about Dahlte and Klos, the quick wrap up of the narrative made good sense.
This book inspired me to look up more about the zoo directors, the zoos and animals, Berlin, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was definitely one of my favorite reads of the year!
December 1, 2019
The true story of two dueling zoos. One in East Berlin and one in West Berlin. This book is mainly about the bureaucracy of a city split in two. It uses the zoos to show the differences between living in the East versus the West. It was just OK.
October 24, 2019
This book broke my streak of duds, in which every book I read for more than a month was so boring that I could not bring myself to finish. This book was fantastic!
I'm always interested in anything about the former GDR, as someone who spent a high school exchange program in a West German Oberschule and visited the East as part of that experience. I had no idea the level of crazy intrigue and competition that grew up between the two zoos in divided Berlin! Although logically, it makes sense; it's just something that never occurred to me.
I read this book avidly, every free moment I could get--commuting, lunch break, you name it--and it was just lovely to be so taken by a narrative again. Highly recommended, although with the caveat that there's some dire and tragic stuff that happens for the zoo animals in the beginning, when Germany loses WW2 and Berlin is bombed/invaded by the Red Army.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm always interested in anything about the former GDR, as someone who spent a high school exchange program in a West German Oberschule and visited the East as part of that experience. I had no idea the level of crazy intrigue and competition that grew up between the two zoos in divided Berlin! Although logically, it makes sense; it's just something that never occurred to me.
I read this book avidly, every free moment I could get--commuting, lunch break, you name it--and it was just lovely to be so taken by a narrative again. Highly recommended, although with the caveat that there's some dire and tragic stuff that happens for the zoo animals in the beginning, when Germany loses WW2 and Berlin is bombed/invaded by the Red Army.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2020
What an interesting story about two zoo's in Germany separated by the Berlin Wall. I feel like I learned a lot about what it was to be German in Germany after the end of WWII and into the Cold War. I loved that this focused on the Berlin Zoo and the newer one that formed after the Wall was built. The way the conflict was framed was easy to follow and gave the narrative a bit more excitement. Though both the Zoo boards did several of the directors dirty. All in all, an interesting read!
October 6, 2019
The publisher's blurb is okay, but only centers on the different options and methods of a succession of zoo directors in Germany and particularly in Berlin. Much more is presented and very well done. It presents a potted history of the attitudes of both the populace and zoo directors/employees worldwide over the course of at least a century and how current understanding came to be. Things that were accepted and predictable have become reprehensible. It also demonstrates how ego becomes overwhelming for some and how that affects the public good. The political climate is important, but it's the internal politics of the professional community that is so astounding to those of us on the outside of the moats and tempered glass walls. My two most memorable parts are the white whale in the Rhine, and the procurement of white whales from within Hudson Bay in Canada! Many thanks to Shelley Frisch for the flawless translation that allows non German readers to enjoy and learn from this book.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Simon and Schuster Publishing via NetGalley.
Many thanks, but for free one doesn't get the photos!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Simon and Schuster Publishing via NetGalley.
Many thanks, but for free one doesn't get the photos!
November 6, 2019
The Zookeepers' War covers the story of the two zoos in Berlin from the end of WWII through the end of the Cold War. It provides a fascinating look at life in Cold War Berlin and zoos throughout West Germany and the GDR. Each chapter covers a different time period in chronological order following the rebirth of the Berlin Zoo and the birth of the Tierpark. Readers who are interested in 20th century history or zoos will appreciate this book. I have constantly been telling people about this book since I began reading it and I hope everyone else who reads it enjoys it as much as I did.
November 10, 2019
I chose this as one of my reads for non-fiction November and it appealed to me for two reasons. One, I’m a biologist, of course love animals and if there was any kind of potential money in career in zoology I’d have been all over it! Zoos and aquariums are increasingly challenged because of the ethics related to captivity and this recounting tackles that in a very unique way by offering a historical perspective.
The second reason I was drawn to the story was because I find WWII stories to be deeply important. I must say, in all of my reads in that area, I’ve never once thought about what happened to the zoos. The absolute atrocities of human on human violence has certainly been the focus of my reading. The first few chapters gave a really enlightening recounting of what this zoo endured during wartime and how it fought to rebuild.
The story tackles gender inequality, the challenges of socialism and political intrigue. It’s a really interesting perspective on history that I would have never looked to learn but I’m glad I have!
The second reason I was drawn to the story was because I find WWII stories to be deeply important. I must say, in all of my reads in that area, I’ve never once thought about what happened to the zoos. The absolute atrocities of human on human violence has certainly been the focus of my reading. The first few chapters gave a really enlightening recounting of what this zoo endured during wartime and how it fought to rebuild.
The story tackles gender inequality, the challenges of socialism and political intrigue. It’s a really interesting perspective on history that I would have never looked to learn but I’m glad I have!
February 13, 2022
I have finished this book!
August 23, 2022
3.5 stars
I love animals and I am interested in WWII so when I saw this was set around the Cold War I wanted to take a chance on it. I normally read fantasy/science fiction or manga and wanted to read something different for a change. Well different is what I got.
Essentially this story focuses on two zoos in West & Eastern Germany during the Cold War when the country was divided by the Berlin Wall. The story actually starts around 1920 and takes you up to the almost present day but the main focus is around the Cold War.
This was an interesting story but I felt like it was marketed to be more of a rivalry than it actually was. Yes there was an intense rivalry between two men who ran zoos but it wasn't, or didn't seem to be, as heated as the book cover/blurb makes out. I found the history side of this true story really interesting and sometimes eye opening, sad and alarming. I found the zoo based side of this true story wonderful, incredible, upsetting and regretful.
It's not a sad tale per se but there are definitely some events which were avoidable and would have provided less heartbreak for both human and animal. I'm glad I read it because it's an eye opening account of running a zoo from the 40s to the 00s, giving us an in depth look into the problems, the politics, the financials and the media from a true story account as told by many different sources close to the zoo but at the same time it's not something that I will ever pick up and read again.
If you love zoos or history or both, then I suspect you'd enjoy giving this short book a read at least once.
I love animals and I am interested in WWII so when I saw this was set around the Cold War I wanted to take a chance on it. I normally read fantasy/science fiction or manga and wanted to read something different for a change. Well different is what I got.
Essentially this story focuses on two zoos in West & Eastern Germany during the Cold War when the country was divided by the Berlin Wall. The story actually starts around 1920 and takes you up to the almost present day but the main focus is around the Cold War.
This was an interesting story but I felt like it was marketed to be more of a rivalry than it actually was. Yes there was an intense rivalry between two men who ran zoos but it wasn't, or didn't seem to be, as heated as the book cover/blurb makes out. I found the history side of this true story really interesting and sometimes eye opening, sad and alarming. I found the zoo based side of this true story wonderful, incredible, upsetting and regretful.
It's not a sad tale per se but there are definitely some events which were avoidable and would have provided less heartbreak for both human and animal. I'm glad I read it because it's an eye opening account of running a zoo from the 40s to the 00s, giving us an in depth look into the problems, the politics, the financials and the media from a true story account as told by many different sources close to the zoo but at the same time it's not something that I will ever pick up and read again.
If you love zoos or history or both, then I suspect you'd enjoy giving this short book a read at least once.
February 7, 2020
Panda Diplomats and Cold Warriors
A pleasant and easy read, The Zookeeper's War satisfies the need for books about animals, zoos, and polar bears all in one. Factor in the nostalgia of the Cold War circus, and the daily culture of a city boxed in like zoo animals on two sides of the Berlin wall, and Mohnhaupt delivers an interesting story that will keep you reading and smiling till the end. Many cultural glimpses appear, like in the mentioning of 'Melody of a Great City,' the last movie to show Berlin in all its glory pre-war.
I also found myself looking up some of the animal characters mentioned throughout, as they are mentioned by name in Wikipedia, like Kinouchka the Hippo, one of the only animals that survived WWII, and Knut the Polar Bear who got almost as many condolences in death as princess Diana. My favorite was Tuffi, the four year old circus elephant who took a ride on the suspended monorail, before panicking and plummeting 39 feet into the River Wupper uninjured.
I was saddened to hear of the bombs that hit the zoo and of the work digging out the human and animal bodies after raids. The story explains how Berlin ended up with multiple zoos, and the rivalry between the two forms of government that was acted out vis-a-vis the zookeepers. I recommend this book for those looking for a good true story that is kept simple and enjoyable. I enjoyed the voice and sound quality of the Audible read by Jacques Roy.
"Poor losers may be unpleasant, but poor winners are the greater evil."
A pleasant and easy read, The Zookeeper's War satisfies the need for books about animals, zoos, and polar bears all in one. Factor in the nostalgia of the Cold War circus, and the daily culture of a city boxed in like zoo animals on two sides of the Berlin wall, and Mohnhaupt delivers an interesting story that will keep you reading and smiling till the end. Many cultural glimpses appear, like in the mentioning of 'Melody of a Great City,' the last movie to show Berlin in all its glory pre-war.
I also found myself looking up some of the animal characters mentioned throughout, as they are mentioned by name in Wikipedia, like Kinouchka the Hippo, one of the only animals that survived WWII, and Knut the Polar Bear who got almost as many condolences in death as princess Diana. My favorite was Tuffi, the four year old circus elephant who took a ride on the suspended monorail, before panicking and plummeting 39 feet into the River Wupper uninjured.
I was saddened to hear of the bombs that hit the zoo and of the work digging out the human and animal bodies after raids. The story explains how Berlin ended up with multiple zoos, and the rivalry between the two forms of government that was acted out vis-a-vis the zookeepers. I recommend this book for those looking for a good true story that is kept simple and enjoyable. I enjoyed the voice and sound quality of the Audible read by Jacques Roy.
December 11, 2022
To be fair, when I skimmed the description of this book I was thinking it was historical fiction and not nonfiction. Lol oops but with that being said, this book was not terrible and I learned some interesting facts.
November 14, 2019
I had never heard this unique story before! I cannot believe that two zoos were so competitive during the Cold War. It was a part of history that most people don't know about, but it is really interesting. I found this book to be an interesting read and highly recommend it!
November 9, 2019
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book!
The Zookeeper’s War by J.M. Mohnhaupt has been on my radar for quite some time. I have a vexed relationship with zoos. I enjoy being able to see creatures I’d otherwise never be able to see, and I believe that some zoos really are doing excellent work on behalf of conservation. But I’ve seen my share of distressing zoos and distressed animals… so I always welcome a book that will help me sort out this cognitive dissonance.
Mohnhaupt’s work does include some wonderful anecdotes about animals on both sides of the Berlin Wall. It also shows the myriad of challenges faced by zoo directors. My favorite example concerns the absurd premise that women were good enough to help clear out rubble after bombing… but not good enough to be trusted with running a zoo. I also enjoyed learning the strange ways animals were donated to zoos, shipped to zoos, named after local or visiting dignitaries; sometimes these captive creatures seemed to bear quite a bit of cultural weight!
The place where the book broke down for me, a bit, is in the moments that need a bit more explanation. The author takes for granted that readers will have a strong grip on how people lived on both sides of the wall – and the story of the zoos sometimes disappears behind the larger story for which they are a cipher. This may be a failing on my part, of course, but I wished for more background in these places – and more animals overall. Despite this, I think this would be an interesting book for a college course either in Human-Animal Studies or in history, as it shows how the Cold War reached into every aspect of life... even the lives of elephants!
The Zookeeper’s War by J.M. Mohnhaupt has been on my radar for quite some time. I have a vexed relationship with zoos. I enjoy being able to see creatures I’d otherwise never be able to see, and I believe that some zoos really are doing excellent work on behalf of conservation. But I’ve seen my share of distressing zoos and distressed animals… so I always welcome a book that will help me sort out this cognitive dissonance.
Mohnhaupt’s work does include some wonderful anecdotes about animals on both sides of the Berlin Wall. It also shows the myriad of challenges faced by zoo directors. My favorite example concerns the absurd premise that women were good enough to help clear out rubble after bombing… but not good enough to be trusted with running a zoo. I also enjoyed learning the strange ways animals were donated to zoos, shipped to zoos, named after local or visiting dignitaries; sometimes these captive creatures seemed to bear quite a bit of cultural weight!
The place where the book broke down for me, a bit, is in the moments that need a bit more explanation. The author takes for granted that readers will have a strong grip on how people lived on both sides of the wall – and the story of the zoos sometimes disappears behind the larger story for which they are a cipher. This may be a failing on my part, of course, but I wished for more background in these places – and more animals overall. Despite this, I think this would be an interesting book for a college course either in Human-Animal Studies or in history, as it shows how the Cold War reached into every aspect of life... even the lives of elephants!
October 20, 2019
Usually I love these oddball slice of history books, and looking at the Cold War from the perspective of the East and West Berlin Zoos is right up my alley. The Zookeepers' War didn't really hold my attention though, and it took me weeks to finally finish it. For all the dramatic possibilities inherent in the Cold War and in zoos, this didn't really capitalize on any of it. There were no spy hijinx or thrilling escape stories (one exception was the zookeeper who smuggled himself out of the East in a crate with a moose,) nor were there many charming animal stories. There was politics, both international and office. The zoo employees didn't seem to be especially ideological, but there were plenty of disagreements on the best ways to run a zoo, and lots of professional one-upsmanship. (Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a digital review copy.)
February 10, 2020
This book, translated from German, looked at the fraught relationship between the two current zoos in Berlin during the Cold War. Before World War II, there was only the Berlin Zoo, but later when the city divided into zones, another zoo was built called the Tiergarden. The book highlights the tense relationship between the two directors during these Cold War years, but also brings out aspects of all the different zoos in East and West Germany and because of this the story becomes too diffuse. I say this often, but the book could really use a map of Berlin and of East and West Germany so us non-German readers could understand the locations better. An interesting book, if somewhat scattered.
February 16, 2021
This was an interesting story about geopolitics between West and East Berlin with a focus on the politics of the zoos. For people who love reading about how to play the politics of a bureaucracy, this is your read.
There were some interesting details that were new to me, especially the period between 1945 and the wall being erected in 1961. Some of the names and story lines were a little redundant at times.
The stories about acquiring animals were sometimes unique and often troubling. This wasn’t a bad book, but this was a riveting tale in the way academic works on niche topics are compelling.
Really this seemed like more of a well written academic article than a must read political thriller, but my bar for escapism is low right now.
There were some interesting details that were new to me, especially the period between 1945 and the wall being erected in 1961. Some of the names and story lines were a little redundant at times.
The stories about acquiring animals were sometimes unique and often troubling. This wasn’t a bad book, but this was a riveting tale in the way academic works on niche topics are compelling.
Really this seemed like more of a well written academic article than a must read political thriller, but my bar for escapism is low right now.
May 3, 2020
The Zookeepers' War: An Incredible True Story from the Cold War
by
J.W. Mohnhaupt
3 Stars
The Zookeepers’ War is an interesting look at the Cold War-era rivalry between Berlin’s two zoos. I thought the book suffered from the lack of a smooth, cohesive narrative. It struck me as much more a collection of short tales and never seemed to just flow very well. Nevertheless, it was an interesting view of a part of Cold War Berlin I would never have thought about otherwise.
https://mhassett23.blogspot.com/2020/...
by
J.W. Mohnhaupt
3 Stars
The Zookeepers’ War is an interesting look at the Cold War-era rivalry between Berlin’s two zoos. I thought the book suffered from the lack of a smooth, cohesive narrative. It struck me as much more a collection of short tales and never seemed to just flow very well. Nevertheless, it was an interesting view of a part of Cold War Berlin I would never have thought about otherwise.
https://mhassett23.blogspot.com/2020/...
May 11, 2023
I've read many cold war books. Both real accounts of daring spies and military commanders as well as several fictional ones. But this book is spectacularly different from every one of those. Mohnhaupt takes us on a journey of how Berlin came to have two rival zoos and the stories of the various personalities who made the zoos into the institutions they are today from the ruins of 1945 Berlin. It was fascinating to know about the personalities who gave their heart and soul to the zoo and its animals while navigating difficult political circumstances and bureaucracies.
September 28, 2021
This is an interesting, different perspective about the aftermath of WWII and the erection of the Berlin Wall. As the Berlin Wall created a divide between the East and West, as did the competition between each side’s zoo, West Berlin Zoo and Tierpark. It was about getting the best and most coveted animal. I especially enjoyed the part of the book in which it tells the story of the first female West Berlin Zoo director, Katharina Heinroth.
February 2, 2020
Great juxtaposition of East v. West Berlin (1940’s and 1950’s) in the context of zoo directors, budget issues, public support, animal populations, and more. Rare perspective!
April 3, 2020
I enjoyed this story and learned a lot about zookeeping. I found it was pretty light as a "microcosm for the Cold War" though.
April 25, 2020
Wow, Berliner's take their zoos very seriously.
December 10, 2019
The book The Zookeepers' War tells the story of the two zoos on both halves of divided Berlin in the second half of the 20th century. It especially focuses on the two men who ran the zoo and what drove them to act the ways that they did. The book also focused on divided Germany more broadly, as there continued to be a distinction between the zoos of east and west. I thought this was an interesting take on the Cold War and the history of Berlin. Telling this story from the perspectives of the zookeepers made it more engaging. However, I thought that the book meandered at times. Overall, though, it provided unique insights into the consequences of the Cold War.
February 24, 2021
Interesting content matter, but very blocky delivery. Felt like reading a textbook that at least could take a break for humor every couple pages.
Read
February 9, 2022Rating awaiting Grace’s completion and Cox book club meeting
October 27, 2019
This book broke my streak of duds, in which every book I read for more than a month was so boring that I could not bring myself to finish. This book was fantastic!
I'm always interested in anything about the former GDR, as someone who spent a high school exchange program in a West German Oberschule and visited the East as part of that experience. I had no idea the level of crazy intrigue and competition that grew up between the two zoos in divided Berlin! Although logically, it makes sense; it's just something that never occurred to me.
I read this book avidly, every free moment I could get--commuting, lunch break, you name it--and it was just lovely to be so taken by a narrative again. Highly recommended, although with the caveat that there's some dire and tragic stuff that happens for the zoo animals in the beginning, when Germany loses WW2 and Berlin is bombed/invaded by the Red Army.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm always interested in anything about the former GDR, as someone who spent a high school exchange program in a West German Oberschule and visited the East as part of that experience. I had no idea the level of crazy intrigue and competition that grew up between the two zoos in divided Berlin! Although logically, it makes sense; it's just something that never occurred to me.
I read this book avidly, every free moment I could get--commuting, lunch break, you name it--and it was just lovely to be so taken by a narrative again. Highly recommended, although with the caveat that there's some dire and tragic stuff that happens for the zoo animals in the beginning, when Germany loses WW2 and Berlin is bombed/invaded by the Red Army.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2019
I've read as much history about Berlin as I can get my hands on, and almost squealed when given the opportunity to read this tiny but important slice of Cold War history in the divided city. Meticulously researched, with a keen insight into the minds of the men and women who brought Berlin back from the ashes after World War II, to include the importance of restoring or otherwise creating the city's zoo(s). What could have (and should have) been a friendly rivalry under other circumstances, the actual competition between the zoos of East and West Berlin was anything but friendly - the directors were assisted by political leaders and seamier influences. It's a fascinating read for anyone in love with the city of Berlin and a passion for Cold War history.
My only gripe is that the book would have been a more rewarding read if it were footnoted. There's a bibliography at the end, but footnotes can offer far more than an unblinking list of works cited. Still, well worth picking up and reading.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a pre-publication proof copy in exchange for my thoughts on the book.
My only gripe is that the book would have been a more rewarding read if it were footnoted. There's a bibliography at the end, but footnotes can offer far more than an unblinking list of works cited. Still, well worth picking up and reading.
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a pre-publication proof copy in exchange for my thoughts on the book.
October 2, 2019
The Zookeepers' War is a very entertaining account of the power struggle between the two zoos of divided Berlin. The two zoos history, as well as the politics of the time and life in post-war Germany are told through the lives and actions of the central characters - Katharina Heinroth, Heinz-Georg Klös and Heinrich Dathe.
Even though I prefer the original title ("The Zoo of the Others") the translation is impeccable, even the rhymes and puns were surprisingly well written.
Even though I prefer the original title ("The Zoo of the Others") the translation is impeccable, even the rhymes and puns were surprisingly well written.
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