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Irena's War
Based on the gripping true story of an unlikely Polish resistance fighter who helped save thousands of Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto during World War II, bestselling author James D. Shipman's Irena's War is a heart-pounding novel of courage in action, helmed by an extraordinary and unforgettable protagonist.
September 1939: The conquering Nazis swarm through Warsaw as social worker Irena Sendler watches in dread from her apartment window. Already, the city's poor go hungry. Irena wonders how she will continue to deliver food and supplies to those who need it most, including the forbidden Jews. The answer comes unexpectedly.
Dragged from her home in the night, Irena is brought before a Gestapo agent, Klaus Rein, who offers her a position running the city's soup kitchens, all to maintain the illusion of order. Though loath to be working under the Germans, Irena learns there are ways to defy her new employer--including forging documents so that Jewish families receive food intended for Aryans. As Irena grows bolder, her interactions with Klaus become more fraught and perilous.
Klaus is unable to prove his suspicions against Irena--yet. But once Warsaw's half-million Jews are confined to the ghetto, awaiting slow starvation or the death camps, Irena realizes that providing food is no longer enough. Recruited by the underground Polish resistance organization Zegota, she carries out an audacious scheme to rescue Jewish children. One by one, they are smuggled out in baskets and garbage carts, or led through dank sewers to safety--every success raising Klaus's ire. Determined to quell the uprising, he draws Irena into a cat-and-mouse game that will test her in every way--and where the slightest misstep could mean not just her own death, but the slaughter of those innocents she is so desperate to save.
September 1939: The conquering Nazis swarm through Warsaw as social worker Irena Sendler watches in dread from her apartment window. Already, the city's poor go hungry. Irena wonders how she will continue to deliver food and supplies to those who need it most, including the forbidden Jews. The answer comes unexpectedly.
Dragged from her home in the night, Irena is brought before a Gestapo agent, Klaus Rein, who offers her a position running the city's soup kitchens, all to maintain the illusion of order. Though loath to be working under the Germans, Irena learns there are ways to defy her new employer--including forging documents so that Jewish families receive food intended for Aryans. As Irena grows bolder, her interactions with Klaus become more fraught and perilous.
Klaus is unable to prove his suspicions against Irena--yet. But once Warsaw's half-million Jews are confined to the ghetto, awaiting slow starvation or the death camps, Irena realizes that providing food is no longer enough. Recruited by the underground Polish resistance organization Zegota, she carries out an audacious scheme to rescue Jewish children. One by one, they are smuggled out in baskets and garbage carts, or led through dank sewers to safety--every success raising Klaus's ire. Determined to quell the uprising, he draws Irena into a cat-and-mouse game that will test her in every way--and where the slightest misstep could mean not just her own death, but the slaughter of those innocents she is so desperate to save.
384 pages, Paperback
Published November 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
February 15, 2025
This novel is loosely based on the clandestine efforts of Irena Sendler who, during World War II, worked tirelessly to try to save the lives of the Jewish children who were trapped inside the Warsaw ghetto. Despite being caught and tortured by the Nazis, she refused to reveal the names of any of her co-conspirators. After Poland was liberated by the Russians, Irena’s wartime work was never revealed. Irena was able to save over 2,500 children! However, in 1965 her name was added to the list of people who are deemed “Righteous Among the Nations” at Israel’s Yad Vashem memorial.
Thank you to Goodreads first reads, publisher Kensington Books, and author James Shipman for giving me the opportunity to read this novel of historical fiction.
Thank you to Goodreads first reads, publisher Kensington Books, and author James Shipman for giving me the opportunity to read this novel of historical fiction.
January 15, 2021
Irena’s War is a fast paced story based on Polish resistance fighter Irena Sendler. This is a book that will blow you away.
This will be among one of the best Holocaust fiction I have read so far. In a gripping well researched story with impeccable pacing, you will find this book hard to put down.
I really enjoyed this one.
This will be among one of the best Holocaust fiction I have read so far. In a gripping well researched story with impeccable pacing, you will find this book hard to put down.
I really enjoyed this one.
November 16, 2020
Irena’s War was a bit confusing to me. I did read the complete book and still was feeling a bit confused. Something seemed to be lacking in the way the story was plotted out. I can’t say I disliked the book but it was hard to read it to the end.
I realize this is based on a true story. Reading the back story at the end of the book was quite interesting and added more insight into the story.
Powerful story at times. I would recommend it to anyone that is intrigued with WWII historical fiction.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
I realize this is based on a true story. Reading the back story at the end of the book was quite interesting and added more insight into the story.
Powerful story at times. I would recommend it to anyone that is intrigued with WWII historical fiction.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
June 2, 2022
Irena Sendler was a strong, determined, smart and beautiful woman who didn’t seem to understand the words “no” or “impossible.” This author, James. D. Shipman did an extraordinary, engrossing, and captivating of telling the story of this true heroine. Most the characters were real and changed the names and a few were created a possible character that were typical of the Nazis. I truly believe this should have made into movies by now. It gives you all the chills. Once I started reading, I was hooked because the characters were so vivid as the story goes depth of each one. I’m glad I’ve read this book. It is worth the wait!
In this book is not mentioned a lot about her life. Irena grew up in Otwock, a town about 24km southeast of Warsaw, Poland, where there was a Jewish community. She is an only child in her family. Her father was a doctor and treated poor people even Jews, free of charge. He died from typhus contracted from his patients in 1917. Her mother was a housewife. In 1930s before the war she was married to Mietek, and was separated. In 1937/38 she attended at university studying Law and Polish literature, as a result, she was suspended from the university for 3 years. During the war she worked as a social worker, nurse and Polish underground resistance, her code name were Jolanta. After the war, she married Stefan, a Jewish childhood friend and has three children. 2 boys and one girl. She divorced Stefan, and remarried Mietek until his death. She continues to work as deputy director in several Warsaw trade medical schools. She works long hours and helping in various social work programs, such as helping teenage prostitutes in the ruins of post-war Warsaw recover and return to society, organizing a number of orphanages and care centers for children, families and the elderly, or a center for prostitutes in Henryków. In 1967 she suffered health problems so she applied for disability pension. She retired as school vice principal and continue to work as a teacher, manager of teacher workshops and librarian until her retirement in 1983. As a result, she never told her children about their Jewish father, later as an adult her daughter found out about her Jewish father. Irena felt it wouldn't make any difference, and the way they were brought up, race or origin didn't matter.
In this book is not mentioned a lot about her life. Irena grew up in Otwock, a town about 24km southeast of Warsaw, Poland, where there was a Jewish community. She is an only child in her family. Her father was a doctor and treated poor people even Jews, free of charge. He died from typhus contracted from his patients in 1917. Her mother was a housewife. In 1930s before the war she was married to Mietek, and was separated. In 1937/38 she attended at university studying Law and Polish literature, as a result, she was suspended from the university for 3 years. During the war she worked as a social worker, nurse and Polish underground resistance, her code name were Jolanta. After the war, she married Stefan, a Jewish childhood friend and has three children. 2 boys and one girl. She divorced Stefan, and remarried Mietek until his death. She continues to work as deputy director in several Warsaw trade medical schools. She works long hours and helping in various social work programs, such as helping teenage prostitutes in the ruins of post-war Warsaw recover and return to society, organizing a number of orphanages and care centers for children, families and the elderly, or a center for prostitutes in Henryków. In 1967 she suffered health problems so she applied for disability pension. She retired as school vice principal and continue to work as a teacher, manager of teacher workshops and librarian until her retirement in 1983. As a result, she never told her children about their Jewish father, later as an adult her daughter found out about her Jewish father. Irena felt it wouldn't make any difference, and the way they were brought up, race or origin didn't matter.
December 11, 2020
This book based on a true story of an unlikely woman who would take up the call to save over 2500 Jewish children from the gas chambers and whose descendants today must number over tens of thousands.
A social worker by profession, she lived a restricted life governed by her irate mother and saw Warsar over run by the Nazis. She also saw the gradual restriction on Jews, their gathering into the ghettos and their final deportation to Treblinka and their deaths. She was also in love with another Jew but this was by the way and she was determined to save at least some families from the government sponsored starvation which some of the Nazis saw as an easier way to get rid of the Jews.
The story is emotional, harrowing, harsh and realistic. You need a fun read after this.
A social worker by profession, she lived a restricted life governed by her irate mother and saw Warsar over run by the Nazis. She also saw the gradual restriction on Jews, their gathering into the ghettos and their final deportation to Treblinka and their deaths. She was also in love with another Jew but this was by the way and she was determined to save at least some families from the government sponsored starvation which some of the Nazis saw as an easier way to get rid of the Jews.
The story is emotional, harrowing, harsh and realistic. You need a fun read after this.
December 19, 2020
For such an amazing story, the writing was mediocre and the characters superficial and dull. I found myself irritated through the book.
I wish they had bounced off the pages for me, but they were boring. ( except for Wiera Gran and Maria - they had a bit of flair)
Irena's cold indifference towards her own mother put me off. It added to the lack of depth of character that could have made Irena more likable. (Although her mother is portrayed as being very unlikable).
I was disappointed - This book was not nearly as good as I'd hoped. It is readable.
Thank you for the ARC Giveaway through Goodreads
I wish they had bounced off the pages for me, but they were boring. ( except for Wiera Gran and Maria - they had a bit of flair)
Irena's cold indifference towards her own mother put me off. It added to the lack of depth of character that could have made Irena more likable. (Although her mother is portrayed as being very unlikable).
I was disappointed - This book was not nearly as good as I'd hoped. It is readable.
Thank you for the ARC Giveaway through Goodreads
January 23, 2021
4.5 stars
Thank you to Goodreads, Kensington Press, and James Shipman for this Goodreads Giveaway.
What an intriguing story! Irena’s War lights a fire for readers, pushing them to read more and discover the complexity of Irena Sendler’s actions and allegiances during World War II.
Thank you to Goodreads, Kensington Press, and James Shipman for this Goodreads Giveaway.
What an intriguing story! Irena’s War lights a fire for readers, pushing them to read more and discover the complexity of Irena Sendler’s actions and allegiances during World War II.
July 29, 2020
Irena’s War by James D. Shipman is an excellent WWII historical fiction novel that is actually based on the heroics of Irena Sendler, a Polish woman who refused to give up and give in to the Germans that invaded and murdered her fellow Polish citizens after the occupation of Warsaw and Poland. Irena chose to work undercover with the Polish resistance to help bring food and supplies to starving citizens and eventually help rescue and smuggle approximately 2500 Jewish children to safety instead of a certain death. The fascinating aspect is that she did all of this while under the guise of working her “usual job” in social services.
This book was unique, fascinating, suspenseful, and awe-inspiring. Irena may have been an imperfect, flawed, and challenging woman, but she was strong, intelligent, fiery, brave, and wonderful in the way that she selflessly risked all to save and care for others. I loved learning more about her in the author’s afterward that described which characters in the book were real, and which were created in a way to aid to the storyline.
I did enjoy how alternating points of view between Irene and an SS officer was presented. While he did not actually exist, the author did a great job creating an authenticity that made this book so harrowing and sometimes sinister. Being able to be placed into the mind of someone so evil, yet human, was striking and unforgettable.
This book will stick with me long after, as it really brings home another story of one of the many wonderful souls that risked it all to help others and to help right the wrongs during these atrocities.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.
This book was unique, fascinating, suspenseful, and awe-inspiring. Irena may have been an imperfect, flawed, and challenging woman, but she was strong, intelligent, fiery, brave, and wonderful in the way that she selflessly risked all to save and care for others. I loved learning more about her in the author’s afterward that described which characters in the book were real, and which were created in a way to aid to the storyline.
I did enjoy how alternating points of view between Irene and an SS officer was presented. While he did not actually exist, the author did a great job creating an authenticity that made this book so harrowing and sometimes sinister. Being able to be placed into the mind of someone so evil, yet human, was striking and unforgettable.
This book will stick with me long after, as it really brings home another story of one of the many wonderful souls that risked it all to help others and to help right the wrongs during these atrocities.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.
November 8, 2020
Back of the Book: “Based on the gripping true story of an unlikely Polish resistance fighter who helped save thousands of Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto during World War II, bestselling author James D. Shipman's Irena's War is a heart-pounding novel of courage in action, helmed by an extraordinary and unforgettable protagonist.
September 1939: The conquering Nazis swarm through Warsaw as social worker Irena Sendler watches in dread from her apartment window. Already, the city's poor go hungry. Irena wonders how she will continue to deliver food and supplies to those who need it most, including the forbidden Jews. The answer comes unexpectedly.
Dragged from her home in the night, Irena is brought before a Gestapo agent, Klaus Rein, who offers her a position running the city's soup kitchens, all to maintain the illusion of order. Though loath to be working under the Germans, Irena learns there are ways to defy her new employer--including forging documents so that Jewish families receive food intended for Aryans. As Irena grows bolder, her interactions with Klaus become more fraught and perilous.
Klaus is unable to prove his suspicions against Irena--yet. But once Warsaw's half-million Jews are confined to the ghetto, awaiting slow starvation or the death camps, Irena realizes that providing food is no longer enough. Recruited by the underground Polish resistance organization Zegota, she carries out an audacious scheme to rescue Jewish children. One by one, they are smuggled out in baskets and garbage carts, or led through dank sewers to safety--every success raising Klaus's ire. Determined to quell the uprising, he draws Irena into a cat-and-mouse game that will test her in every way--and where the slightest misstep could mean not just her own death, but the slaughter of those innocents she is so desperate to save.”
Impressions: mmm… Although this is a true story, I am 39% into this book and I have to say I’m not wanting to finish it.
Disliked: I don’t feel like this is a well-told story. There is so much intrigue and suspense that could have been built up better. The account of Irena’s relationships in her life is shallowly described. She and her friends are written as being close but all the interactions if they are not. The background story of her disaffection to her husband and mother is not well told in this story leaving much to be understood of Irena’s life before the war. Don’t get me started on the strange relationship between Adam and Irena. Does this lack of understanding matter? I think so. At this point, I feel like the reader is just thrown into the confusion of her life with no developed story. I don’t know who Irena was or is and I know she develops into an amazing woman of courage. I’m just not hooked on reading more.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
September 1939: The conquering Nazis swarm through Warsaw as social worker Irena Sendler watches in dread from her apartment window. Already, the city's poor go hungry. Irena wonders how she will continue to deliver food and supplies to those who need it most, including the forbidden Jews. The answer comes unexpectedly.
Dragged from her home in the night, Irena is brought before a Gestapo agent, Klaus Rein, who offers her a position running the city's soup kitchens, all to maintain the illusion of order. Though loath to be working under the Germans, Irena learns there are ways to defy her new employer--including forging documents so that Jewish families receive food intended for Aryans. As Irena grows bolder, her interactions with Klaus become more fraught and perilous.
Klaus is unable to prove his suspicions against Irena--yet. But once Warsaw's half-million Jews are confined to the ghetto, awaiting slow starvation or the death camps, Irena realizes that providing food is no longer enough. Recruited by the underground Polish resistance organization Zegota, she carries out an audacious scheme to rescue Jewish children. One by one, they are smuggled out in baskets and garbage carts, or led through dank sewers to safety--every success raising Klaus's ire. Determined to quell the uprising, he draws Irena into a cat-and-mouse game that will test her in every way--and where the slightest misstep could mean not just her own death, but the slaughter of those innocents she is so desperate to save.”
Impressions: mmm… Although this is a true story, I am 39% into this book and I have to say I’m not wanting to finish it.
Disliked: I don’t feel like this is a well-told story. There is so much intrigue and suspense that could have been built up better. The account of Irena’s relationships in her life is shallowly described. She and her friends are written as being close but all the interactions if they are not. The background story of her disaffection to her husband and mother is not well told in this story leaving much to be understood of Irena’s life before the war. Don’t get me started on the strange relationship between Adam and Irena. Does this lack of understanding matter? I think so. At this point, I feel like the reader is just thrown into the confusion of her life with no developed story. I don’t know who Irena was or is and I know she develops into an amazing woman of courage. I’m just not hooked on reading more.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
October 16, 2020
An amazing book. It is the story of one of the best women the 20th century has ever had. Irena witnessed how her country, Poland, was slowly falling to the mercy of the ruthless Nazis. Nobody would imagine the hell that the Poles would live in the face of such an invasion. As a result of the occupation, the Polish began to starve. The new regiment reduced food supplies. The food restriction was more severe for the Jews because they were assigned a section of the city to live within. Not satisfied with this, Irena decided to risk obtaining a pass to enter the ghetto. Her initial goal was to supply food to Jewish friends, but also to all those she could help. Of course, this process is not easy since the Nazis go through the bags of people who enter the ghetto. Irena must be very cautious and figure out how not to be discovered, or else the consequences could be fatal. For me, Irena is one of the most admirable women that ever lived. I did know the feats she had done, so I decided to read this book to learn more about her story. The author, with his successful narration, made me feel present in each chapter. It was not easy for me to read it, as war is not a pleasant subject. I think it is crucial to know the history and the people who made an effort to stop tyranny and injustice. I thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
February 14, 2021
Thanks to Penguin/Random House for this giveaway!
I almost gave up on this book two chapters in because I felt that it was a bit too slow, but I'm glad I pushed through and kept going. This book was a great insight into Irena Sendler's story and into Polish life under German occupation. Irena was a fallible human being whom God used to serve and save the oppressed. I think the author did an excellent job showing her as being human, and not a larger than life hero. This book ended up being hard to put down, and if I hadn't had school to distract me, I would've finished it much sooner.
I almost gave up on this book two chapters in because I felt that it was a bit too slow, but I'm glad I pushed through and kept going. This book was a great insight into Irena Sendler's story and into Polish life under German occupation. Irena was a fallible human being whom God used to serve and save the oppressed. I think the author did an excellent job showing her as being human, and not a larger than life hero. This book ended up being hard to put down, and if I hadn't had school to distract me, I would've finished it much sooner.
December 30, 2020
Wonderful World War II historical fiction based on a true story! This book was well written and informational about Irena Sendler's heroic acts to rescue thousands of Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland. It was an awe-inspiring read. Each chapter alternates between Irena and Klaus, a fictional German General's perspective to give the reader a feeling of what was happening on both sides of the story. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy an excellent historical fiction book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
August 15, 2021
The story is indeed a great one, but I wish someone else would have wrote it. The style of writing was not good for this story. I had such a hard time connecting emotionally with this book because the author jumps from one thing to another so quickly. At other times I was confused. Irena, her story, her experiences, her bravery…absolutely 5+ stars. This book, the way Irena’s story was told and the authors writing, 3. My favorite part of the book was at the very end where it tells the reader what happened to everyone after the war.
August 18, 2021
Irena Sendler (Irena Sendlerowa) to jedna z najbardziej znanych polskich Sprawiedliwych wśród Narodów Świata. Tym tytułem została uchonorowana w 1965 roku przez Instytut Yad Vashem w Jerozolimie. I nie było to jej jedyne wyróżnienie.
Na kartach historii zapisała się jako niezłomna bohaterka działająca w konspiracji i w strukturach Rady Pomocy Żydom "Żegota". Prowadziła między innymi akcję ratowania dzieci żydowskich z warszawskiego getta.
"Wojna Ireny" Jamesa D. Shipmana to sfabularyzowana historia dramatycznych losów Sandlerowej w najokrutniejszych, wojennych czasach.
Trzeba liczyc sie z tym, że część faktów została zmieniona, a niektóre wydarzenia i postacie są fikcyjne. Jednak może taka forma przekazu będzie zachętą do zapoznania się z przerażającą i niewiarygodną historią pani Ireny.
Młoda Irena przesiąknięta ideą socializmu głęboko wierzyła, że ludzi należy dzielić na dobrych i złych. Rasa, pochodzenie, religia, wykształcenie, majątek nie mają żadnego znaczenia. Liczy się to jakim jesteś człowiekiem.
Nie chodzi też o żaden komunizm, czy socializm, ale przede wszystkim o człowieczeństwo.
Irena na kartach powieści to uparta, nieugięta, odważna i twarda kobieta, wojowniczka wierna swoim przekonaniom. Autor wykreował mocne kobiece sylwetki, choć przy niezłomnej Irenie wszyscy wypadają trochę blado. A Adam, ukochany Ireny zupełnie nie przypadł mi do gustu. Jawi się jako człowiek ze skłonnościami do depresji, wycofany i zastraszony.
Natomiast autor ciekawie przedstawił losy fikcyjnych antagonistów; gestapowca Klausa Reina i jego adiutanta Petera Schwarzmanna. Klaus z jednej strony jest kochającym i oddanym mężem i ojcem, z drugiej to bestia w ludzkiej postaci dla której życie niewinnych nie ma znaczenia.
I jest mi trochę szkoda, bo ze względu na sylwetkę Ireny Sendlerowej powinnam bardziej polubić się z tą powieścią. Tymczasem przeszkadzał mi styl autora i forma prowadzenia narracji oraz nieuzasadnione, wg mnie, zmiany w faktach historycznych. Jednak sama akcja trzyma w napięciu, a autorowi udało się stworzyć przerażający obraz wojny i dramatyczną sytuację polskich żydów. Jest to emocjonująca lektura i myślę, że warto po nią sięgnąć.
Na kartach historii zapisała się jako niezłomna bohaterka działająca w konspiracji i w strukturach Rady Pomocy Żydom "Żegota". Prowadziła między innymi akcję ratowania dzieci żydowskich z warszawskiego getta.
"Wojna Ireny" Jamesa D. Shipmana to sfabularyzowana historia dramatycznych losów Sandlerowej w najokrutniejszych, wojennych czasach.
Trzeba liczyc sie z tym, że część faktów została zmieniona, a niektóre wydarzenia i postacie są fikcyjne. Jednak może taka forma przekazu będzie zachętą do zapoznania się z przerażającą i niewiarygodną historią pani Ireny.
Młoda Irena przesiąknięta ideą socializmu głęboko wierzyła, że ludzi należy dzielić na dobrych i złych. Rasa, pochodzenie, religia, wykształcenie, majątek nie mają żadnego znaczenia. Liczy się to jakim jesteś człowiekiem.
Nie chodzi też o żaden komunizm, czy socializm, ale przede wszystkim o człowieczeństwo.
Irena na kartach powieści to uparta, nieugięta, odważna i twarda kobieta, wojowniczka wierna swoim przekonaniom. Autor wykreował mocne kobiece sylwetki, choć przy niezłomnej Irenie wszyscy wypadają trochę blado. A Adam, ukochany Ireny zupełnie nie przypadł mi do gustu. Jawi się jako człowiek ze skłonnościami do depresji, wycofany i zastraszony.
Natomiast autor ciekawie przedstawił losy fikcyjnych antagonistów; gestapowca Klausa Reina i jego adiutanta Petera Schwarzmanna. Klaus z jednej strony jest kochającym i oddanym mężem i ojcem, z drugiej to bestia w ludzkiej postaci dla której życie niewinnych nie ma znaczenia.
I jest mi trochę szkoda, bo ze względu na sylwetkę Ireny Sendlerowej powinnam bardziej polubić się z tą powieścią. Tymczasem przeszkadzał mi styl autora i forma prowadzenia narracji oraz nieuzasadnione, wg mnie, zmiany w faktach historycznych. Jednak sama akcja trzyma w napięciu, a autorowi udało się stworzyć przerażający obraz wojny i dramatyczną sytuację polskich żydów. Jest to emocjonująca lektura i myślę, że warto po nią sięgnąć.
January 23, 2021
Irena becomes a savior in World War 2 Poland and performs unimaginable miracles. This book, based on a true story, chronicles Irena’s activities along with the lives of the Nazi officer who becomes her nemesis and the members of the resistance she worked with. It’s a very emotional read, with a large portion of sadness and fear, not always for the faint of heart. It is also filled with details that were new to me about some of the things that happened in Poland.
I was completely caught up in the story and recommend anyone reading it be sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end. Historical fiction is my favorite and this was a great addition to all I have read.
I was completely caught up in the story and recommend anyone reading it be sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end. Historical fiction is my favorite and this was a great addition to all I have read.
November 23, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
There are a lot of WWII historical fiction books available now. This is the 2nd one about Irena Sendler that I have read and before that, I'd never heard of her. Irena was an incredible woman. She was brave and strong willed and usually not afraid to speak her mind to stand up for what she believed.
This book seems well researched. It's a fascinating story that should be a more well known part of history.
There are a lot of WWII historical fiction books available now. This is the 2nd one about Irena Sendler that I have read and before that, I'd never heard of her. Irena was an incredible woman. She was brave and strong willed and usually not afraid to speak her mind to stand up for what she believed.
This book seems well researched. It's a fascinating story that should be a more well known part of history.
March 27, 2023
Irena's war is an amazing story of bravery and heroism in the treacherous years of WWII in Poland. Irena is a real person and this story is based on her life. Although there was so much tragedy, she was able to save thousands of lives.
January 17, 2022
An amazing woman…
Irene’s War is a great book told well about an amazing woman who smuggled at least 2,500 children and some adults out of a ghetto in Poland. She was a strong, determined woman who didn’t seem to understand the words “no” or “impossible.”
I thought the author did a wonderful job of telling the story of this true life heroine!
She was something else! She stood strong and up to some powerful people in order to accomplish her missions. This book kept me reading and wondering what would happen next. It was very good.
pamarella
PRCS
Irene’s War is a great book told well about an amazing woman who smuggled at least 2,500 children and some adults out of a ghetto in Poland. She was a strong, determined woman who didn’t seem to understand the words “no” or “impossible.”
I thought the author did a wonderful job of telling the story of this true life heroine!
She was something else! She stood strong and up to some powerful people in order to accomplish her missions. This book kept me reading and wondering what would happen next. It was very good.
pamarella
PRCS
May 15, 2025
Most of us have heard of Oskar Schindler, who saved 1200 Jewish people from the Nazi camps. I had never heard of Irena Sendler until now. A woman who saved 2500 children from the death camps during WWII. A good read!
“I was taught by my father that if someone is drowning, you don’t ask if they can swim, you just jump in and help” Irena Sendler.
“I was taught by my father that if someone is drowning, you don’t ask if they can swim, you just jump in and help” Irena Sendler.
December 22, 2020
Irena's War is based on the real life heroine Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker turned to resistance fighter saving 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during WW2.
I liked that this book was not a dual timeline novel and thus gave a lot of attention the Ghetto. As well, I enjoyed that there was a German SS officer as one of the perspectives. Both factors is what I seek out and enjoy the most in historical WW1/2 fiction. There was so much evident research even for little things that made this novel out shine others I have read. The down fall for me was the main character which is very upsetting since this book was supposed to illuminate this forgotten women. She came across as selfish, careless and immature at times and made me dislike her when I should have been inspired. Unfortunately, I feel as if Irena's character was not told with justice.
Overall, the research put into this novel is absolutely commendable and I'm happy novels like these are getting published for the world to remember these extraordinary women. I am not sure how quick I would be to recommend this to someone specifically wanting to know about Irena Sendler but I would refer them to the books James mentioned in his "Further Reading" section of the novel (Irena's Children and Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project).
Thank you Kensington Books through Netgalley for sending me a copy of Irena's War by James D. Shipman in exchange for an honest review.
I liked that this book was not a dual timeline novel and thus gave a lot of attention the Ghetto. As well, I enjoyed that there was a German SS officer as one of the perspectives. Both factors is what I seek out and enjoy the most in historical WW1/2 fiction. There was so much evident research even for little things that made this novel out shine others I have read. The down fall for me was the main character which is very upsetting since this book was supposed to illuminate this forgotten women. She came across as selfish, careless and immature at times and made me dislike her when I should have been inspired. Unfortunately, I feel as if Irena's character was not told with justice.
Overall, the research put into this novel is absolutely commendable and I'm happy novels like these are getting published for the world to remember these extraordinary women. I am not sure how quick I would be to recommend this to someone specifically wanting to know about Irena Sendler but I would refer them to the books James mentioned in his "Further Reading" section of the novel (Irena's Children and Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project).
Thank you Kensington Books through Netgalley for sending me a copy of Irena's War by James D. Shipman in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2020
I enjoy reading historical fiction and it's an added bonus for me if the story is based on real people. This novel is an interesting look at Irena Sendler and the heroic efforts that she took to help the people in the Warsaw Ghetto and helped to save thousands of children from certain death.
Irena's War begins in September, 1939, when the Nazis swarm into Warsaw and take over Poland. Before the war started, she was a social worker whose main job was to distribute food to the people of Warsaw. She had a network of farmers who provided fresh food and volunteers who worked in the soup kitchens. She was afraid that her efforts to feed the people would come to an end when the war started and was surprised to be offered a job by the Germans to keep working to provide food to the poor. She's not sure if she wants to work for the Germans but decides that keeping the Polish people fed is her main task and decides to accept the job. She's instructed not to provide food for Jewish people but she soon learns how to forge documents so that the Jewish people can receive food. When she is no longer able to help those who need it most, she volunteers to work as a health care person in the Ghetto. She begins to work with the Resistance and starts helping children escape. She brings them out in garbage bins and she brings them out through the sewers and overall she was successful in saving over 2,500 children from the ghetto working with the Polish resistance. When she is captured by the Germans, she goes through extreme torture as they try to get her to name the people in the resistance but even with the inhumane treatment, she managed to give them false information and was able to escape.
Irena Sendler was a strong woman who was able to help many during the War. In 1965, Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial organization, named Sendler as Righteous Among the Nations for her work saving Jewish children. In 2003, Poland honored her with its Order of the White Eagle. In 2008, Sendler was nominated for (but did not win) a Nobel Peace Prize. She died in 2008.
James Shipman is a new author for me and after reading Irena's War, I plan to read some of his earlier books. If you enjoy reading about strong women who work to change their world, this is a book that you don't want to miss.
Irena's War begins in September, 1939, when the Nazis swarm into Warsaw and take over Poland. Before the war started, she was a social worker whose main job was to distribute food to the people of Warsaw. She had a network of farmers who provided fresh food and volunteers who worked in the soup kitchens. She was afraid that her efforts to feed the people would come to an end when the war started and was surprised to be offered a job by the Germans to keep working to provide food to the poor. She's not sure if she wants to work for the Germans but decides that keeping the Polish people fed is her main task and decides to accept the job. She's instructed not to provide food for Jewish people but she soon learns how to forge documents so that the Jewish people can receive food. When she is no longer able to help those who need it most, she volunteers to work as a health care person in the Ghetto. She begins to work with the Resistance and starts helping children escape. She brings them out in garbage bins and she brings them out through the sewers and overall she was successful in saving over 2,500 children from the ghetto working with the Polish resistance. When she is captured by the Germans, she goes through extreme torture as they try to get her to name the people in the resistance but even with the inhumane treatment, she managed to give them false information and was able to escape.
Irena Sendler was a strong woman who was able to help many during the War. In 1965, Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial organization, named Sendler as Righteous Among the Nations for her work saving Jewish children. In 2003, Poland honored her with its Order of the White Eagle. In 2008, Sendler was nominated for (but did not win) a Nobel Peace Prize. She died in 2008.
James Shipman is a new author for me and after reading Irena's War, I plan to read some of his earlier books. If you enjoy reading about strong women who work to change their world, this is a book that you don't want to miss.
October 2, 2021
Irena Sendler, a Polish Resistance Fighter in Poland in World War II helped many orphaned Jewish children survive and escape the Warsaw Ghetto in the face of horrendous brutality and near-overwhelming adversity. Despite being captured and tortured by the Nazis for four months, she refused to reveal any details of her associates.
Irena’s War weaves the true story of Irena Sendler into a gripping and absorbing novel. Research into Irena’s life and actions combined with the detail of this corner of the war is meticulous. As is the wonderfully realised setting of the early 1940s. It’s subtle with period detail and thoroughly transports the reader.
From the very beginning, Irena is passionate, emotive and convincing. She is not without flaws, however, and can be infuriating in her stubbornness. Her tenacity and refusal to take no for an answer was both her strength and, at times, her weakness.
Notwithstanding, there is a woodenness in her relationships that makes them a little flat. There did not seem to be much chemistry between her and Adam and I found him slightly unlikeable. I also was intrigued by the difficult and clearly complex relationship with her Mother and would have liked this explored further or given some backstory.
Contrastingly, I thought Klaus, the fictional character, was the most interesting and well-defined. There is no judgement passed on him in the narrative and this was a skilful move, enabling the reader to really consider exactly who he is; does he have a conscience? The scene with the glut of cake at his daughter’s birthday party was so painfully ironic it was almost hard to read.
It is difficult to imagine what Irena and her compatriots witnessed. Their struggles, sacrifices and constant fear of death are vividly brought to life and the book reminds us of the utterly harrowing futility of war. The scenes with the orphanage children and the sewers are almost beyond rational comprehension and are as compelling as they are awful.
Irena’s War is a powerful and moving account of one woman’s refusal to capitulate. Highly recommended.
Irena’s War weaves the true story of Irena Sendler into a gripping and absorbing novel. Research into Irena’s life and actions combined with the detail of this corner of the war is meticulous. As is the wonderfully realised setting of the early 1940s. It’s subtle with period detail and thoroughly transports the reader.
From the very beginning, Irena is passionate, emotive and convincing. She is not without flaws, however, and can be infuriating in her stubbornness. Her tenacity and refusal to take no for an answer was both her strength and, at times, her weakness.
Notwithstanding, there is a woodenness in her relationships that makes them a little flat. There did not seem to be much chemistry between her and Adam and I found him slightly unlikeable. I also was intrigued by the difficult and clearly complex relationship with her Mother and would have liked this explored further or given some backstory.
Contrastingly, I thought Klaus, the fictional character, was the most interesting and well-defined. There is no judgement passed on him in the narrative and this was a skilful move, enabling the reader to really consider exactly who he is; does he have a conscience? The scene with the glut of cake at his daughter’s birthday party was so painfully ironic it was almost hard to read.
It is difficult to imagine what Irena and her compatriots witnessed. Their struggles, sacrifices and constant fear of death are vividly brought to life and the book reminds us of the utterly harrowing futility of war. The scenes with the orphanage children and the sewers are almost beyond rational comprehension and are as compelling as they are awful.
Irena’s War is a powerful and moving account of one woman’s refusal to capitulate. Highly recommended.
October 28, 2020
The fact that this is based on a true story only makes it more gripping and jaw-droppingly addictive.
Irena is a strong and determined woman, but she is not without her flaws. Her determination is often misconstrued (by her mother) as stubbornness and defiance, but always her intentions are the best. Her goal at the outset is to maintain the supply of food to her fellow Poles once the Germans invade. And she refuses to accept that Polish Jews are any less worthy, but she is fighting an uphill battle.
Her path regularly crosses with Klaus, an SS Officer, who is put in charge of the region, and for whom she is the eternal thorn in the side. Once the ghetto is built and her Jewish friends and fellow citizens are installed behind a solid wall, she pushes her boss, Jan, to get her a pass into the ghetto. The only way in is as a medical observer, to check on the infection rates within. Of course, Irena wins him over, using fair means and foul, but either way she now has access to the ghetto. It is there she finds her friends working in the hospital and orphanage. Seeing the conditions faced by the children, she has to get them out.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed by the local resistance who bring her in to discuss future plans to save as many as they can. As the situation deteriorates and residents of the ghetto are rounded up and relocated to Treblinka, the need to save the children becomes ever more critical.
By now, Irena is under pressure from all sides. Some consider her work in food distribution as being work for the Germans, even her Jewish friends come to that conclusion. The Germans – Klaus – see her as a potential pawn, to make it look as though they are treating the Poles well …until he realises she is working against him. Proving it, though, is a different matter and Irena comes close to arrest many times. None of that stops her though; she may fear for her life but she fears for the lives of others more. Remarkable!
Tense times lie ahead, and the story only gets stronger as Irena ploughs on through the machine that is the Nazi regime. She faces losses and wins but doesn’t stop – her resolve is breath-taking.
This is not an easy book to read at times, since the reality of war is not hidden away or glossed over. Being based on true events, it hits home with great impact. As a work of historical fiction, it feels very real and incredibly scary. We should be praising women like Irena more; she saved many more people than Schindler yet has gone unnoticed. Until now. This is a powerful story that bridges fact and fiction beautifully. I would highly recommend it to readers of WWII historical fiction.
My sincere thanks go to Kensington Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC. My review is given voluntarily and with absolute pleasure.
Irena is a strong and determined woman, but she is not without her flaws. Her determination is often misconstrued (by her mother) as stubbornness and defiance, but always her intentions are the best. Her goal at the outset is to maintain the supply of food to her fellow Poles once the Germans invade. And she refuses to accept that Polish Jews are any less worthy, but she is fighting an uphill battle.
Her path regularly crosses with Klaus, an SS Officer, who is put in charge of the region, and for whom she is the eternal thorn in the side. Once the ghetto is built and her Jewish friends and fellow citizens are installed behind a solid wall, she pushes her boss, Jan, to get her a pass into the ghetto. The only way in is as a medical observer, to check on the infection rates within. Of course, Irena wins him over, using fair means and foul, but either way she now has access to the ghetto. It is there she finds her friends working in the hospital and orphanage. Seeing the conditions faced by the children, she has to get them out.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed by the local resistance who bring her in to discuss future plans to save as many as they can. As the situation deteriorates and residents of the ghetto are rounded up and relocated to Treblinka, the need to save the children becomes ever more critical.
By now, Irena is under pressure from all sides. Some consider her work in food distribution as being work for the Germans, even her Jewish friends come to that conclusion. The Germans – Klaus – see her as a potential pawn, to make it look as though they are treating the Poles well …until he realises she is working against him. Proving it, though, is a different matter and Irena comes close to arrest many times. None of that stops her though; she may fear for her life but she fears for the lives of others more. Remarkable!
Tense times lie ahead, and the story only gets stronger as Irena ploughs on through the machine that is the Nazi regime. She faces losses and wins but doesn’t stop – her resolve is breath-taking.
This is not an easy book to read at times, since the reality of war is not hidden away or glossed over. Being based on true events, it hits home with great impact. As a work of historical fiction, it feels very real and incredibly scary. We should be praising women like Irena more; she saved many more people than Schindler yet has gone unnoticed. Until now. This is a powerful story that bridges fact and fiction beautifully. I would highly recommend it to readers of WWII historical fiction.
My sincere thanks go to Kensington Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC. My review is given voluntarily and with absolute pleasure.
December 22, 2020
Based on the true story of Irena Sendler and her brave determination to feed thousands of Warsaw Jews and deliver their children to freedom from the ghetto and Nazis, Irena’s War is a heartbreaking and gripping look into the reality and horrors of life in Warsaw during the German occupation.
I have read more WWII historical fiction books than I can count, and I can honestly say this is like none other. Shipman writes about the stark and harsh realities of war, hopelessness, and those who dare to sacrifice themselves in order to save and help others. This story was not an easy read at times. Sometimes, as I read I would pause to digest the incredible and quite scary incidents Irena had to deal with and overcome in order to save and help as many Jews as she could.
As I read this story I found myself living right there side by side with Irena as she deals with her personal relationships and faults (Shipman will not spare your emotions), struggles with her coworkers and superiors, and the never ending presence of Klaus breathing down her neck. I found myself taking every event and roadblock that came up for Irena as personally as she did.
I’m always thankful for the author’s notes at the end of any history or historical fiction book I read. I could not believe that Irena saved more people than Schindler, and yet her heroic works and life have gone unnoticed or has been completely glossed over. Thank you so much James Shipman for bringing this dynamic woman’s life to the masses.
This story may highlight the harsh and stark realities, but it also showcases hope, friendship, compassion and tenderness. If you are a lover of historical fiction or looking to learn about Warsaw during WWII, then I encourage you to pick this book up.
Thank you so much Kensington Books for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have read more WWII historical fiction books than I can count, and I can honestly say this is like none other. Shipman writes about the stark and harsh realities of war, hopelessness, and those who dare to sacrifice themselves in order to save and help others. This story was not an easy read at times. Sometimes, as I read I would pause to digest the incredible and quite scary incidents Irena had to deal with and overcome in order to save and help as many Jews as she could.
As I read this story I found myself living right there side by side with Irena as she deals with her personal relationships and faults (Shipman will not spare your emotions), struggles with her coworkers and superiors, and the never ending presence of Klaus breathing down her neck. I found myself taking every event and roadblock that came up for Irena as personally as she did.
I’m always thankful for the author’s notes at the end of any history or historical fiction book I read. I could not believe that Irena saved more people than Schindler, and yet her heroic works and life have gone unnoticed or has been completely glossed over. Thank you so much James Shipman for bringing this dynamic woman’s life to the masses.
This story may highlight the harsh and stark realities, but it also showcases hope, friendship, compassion and tenderness. If you are a lover of historical fiction or looking to learn about Warsaw during WWII, then I encourage you to pick this book up.
Thank you so much Kensington Books for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 28, 2020
Another World War II novel about the Warsaw ghetto. That's what I thought when I received a copy of this book for review. And while it's true that much of the background is familiar, every person who lived through this historical horror has their own story. Irena Sendler was a Polish resistance fighter who helped save thousands of Jewish children. Her story is one of courage under unimaginable pressure.
February 14, 2022
So the story itself was intriguing, amazing. I liked the humanness of Irena, and her fear of getting caught was palpable, genuine, and yet she didn’t give up. I disliked her affair as a married woman estranged from her husband, and the audio narrator wasn’t my favorite. Some language but not excessive. Some sexual scenes but not graphic.
November 20, 2021
I thought this book was really good. I could feel the tension as Irena was trying to get people out of Poland to safety. It has good action and the writing and the ending were well done! (Gerard's review)
September 30, 2023
I throughly enjoyed this book . The protagonist Irena was brave , in todays uncertain times it shows you it only takes one brave person to make a positive impact in a horrible situation . I highly recommend this book .
January 12, 2024
Loved this ww2 novel based on the true story of a polish resistance woman who saved thousands of Jewish children!
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