Life in a Jar

By: Jack Mayer

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

During World War II, Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker, organized a rescue network of fellow social workers to save 2,500 Jewish children from certain death in the Warsaw ghetto. Incredibly, after the war her heroism, like that of many others, was suppressed by communist Poland and remained virtually unknown for 60 years. Unknown, that is, until three high school girls from an economically depressed, rural school district in southeast Kansas stumbled upon a tantalizing reference to Sendler's rescues, which they fashioned into a history project, a play they called Life in a Jar. Their innocent drama was first seen in Kansas, then the Midwest, then New York, Los Angeles, Montreal and finally Poland, where they elevated Irena Sendler to a national hero, championing her legacy of tolerance and respect for all people.

Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project is a Holocaust history and more. It is the inspirational story of Protestant students from Kansas, each called in her own complex way to the history of a Catholic woman who knocked on Jewish doors in the Warsaw ghetto and, in Sendler's own words, "tried to talk the mothers out of their children".

©2011 Jack Mayer (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A gripping real-life tale of extraordinary courage that had an enduring impact." ( Kirkus)

I loved the book!

I loved the book, multiple stories, great movement, present to past, then meshed. Hate the fact the situation was truly history. Through much of the book I saw how a wonderful motion picture could be made. It would need Polish production and direction, and distinguished talent.

Read this book for a Book Club meeting in Mexico with members from several countries and religions.

Remarkable book!

Truly inspiring book. Terrifically we’ll write. Best book of my year. Recommend it without reservation.

Everyone should read

This is a wonderfully told story about an amazing women and all the difficulties she overcame. It shows how one person can make a difference and the young people who took it upon themselves to bring this unsung heroes life to the attention of so many people around the world.

Love of neighbor

One of the most moving accounts of the Holocaust I have ever read and I have read hundreds of books about survivors of the Holocaust. This books is an inspiration of what one person who steps up can do to save the world. Don't ever say, "I am just one person, what can I do".

Amazing story.

Struggled with the horror and sadness but in comparison to those who lived the story my struggle was negligible.

Outstanding and inspirational!

Loved it! Outstanding and incredibly inspirational! Read like a story making it a super easy read for non-fiction.

a must to be listened to

a true and compelling story!
I couldn't stop listening. this true story should be a must in every highschool

This book was great!

This book was great, the story and narrator move along well. I enjoyed the characters and how they related to one another.

A Book for everyone

I have never heard of Irena Sendler and because of this book, she will be a person that I will never forget. Life in a Jar should be mandatory reading for every high school student in America. It is one of the best accounts of the Holocaust in Poland but it also gives us a perspective of what it must have been like to live in Poland after the war ended.

Fantastic Book

This is one of the most uplifting books I have ever read...and I have read a lot. I recommend this to everyone. This is one of my top ten books. Lawlor is likely the best narrator I have listened to. His ability to accurately use tones, accents, and speak in a manner of the subject is impressive...have not heard anyone match him. Makes a good book better.