Through the Lion Gate: A History of the Berlin Zoo

In 1943, fierce aerial bombardment razed the Berlin zoo and killed most of its animals. But only two months after the war's end, Berliners had already resurrected it, reopening its gates and creating a symbol of endurance in the heart of a shattered city. The Berlin zoo therefore offers one of the most unusual—yet utterly compelling—lenses through which to view German history. This enormously popular attraction closely mirrored each of the political systems under which it existed: the autho...