The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History

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lettherebebooks, March 26, 2013 (view all comments by lettherebebooks)
Whose Art Is It?

When Hitler began looting artwork from Jews, and toting off precious collections from museums and churches in Holland, Belgium, and France, a small band of U.S. military men led the way to protect what was left and retrieve what had been taken.
Hitler had planned to build a major museum in Linz, Austria after the war. But he was also getting even. It was no secret that the Louvre had become a major world museum because of Napoleon’s seizure of cultural treasures from Prussia 150 years before. Hitler wanted it all back. He and his sidekicks raided towns and cities before turning them to rubble.
In the end, The Monuments Men recovered vast riches and stolen art treasures stored away in castles and in the hundreds of miles of mines throughout Germany and Austria. Their quest became a march against time with the signing of the treaty at Yalta. They owed much of their success to an obscure French woman named Rose Valland, who had been allowed to stay on as a volunteer at the Jeu de Paume after Paris fell. Her modest demeanor and looks belied her quick mind and ability to spy. Robert M. Edsel’s book tells that story. A captivating read for anyone with an interest in WWII and/or European art.

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HistoryBuff7, January 9, 2012 (view all comments by HistoryBuff7)
I listened to this book on tape, and let me say, it was quite the experience. I am a pure History Buff, and nothing pleases me more than to learn, especially about wars and mysteries. The mysteries surrounding the stolen artworks were solved by these brave men and women who risked their lives to bring back the priceless treasures of the world. Without them, our culture would have vanished, the priceless architecture and paintings all gone to ruin, wether in the hands of Nazis, buried in salt mines, or "renovated" and "reused" by people who raided them, not knowing what they were taking. This book follows the lives of a few monuments men, who risked it all to save something so meaningful for the future generations now and to come.

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Nancy P, January 23, 2011 (view all comments by Nancy P)
This is a fascinating true account of the men and one woman that were able to identify and save works of art, preserve monuments, etc during WWII and afterwards that we all recognize as part of our collective heritage. Robert Edsel is able to bring to life the relatively few people (with no budget, no troops, etc) who were able to ensure that the treasures in Europe were able to survive. Further, the Monuments Men were not disbanded when WWII ended, they continued to locate and return as much as they could uncover---which is an amazing amount. I do not believe the participants of this endeavor have ever been given the credit deserved. You will never regard Mona Lisa in the same light.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9781599951508

Author:

Edsel, Robert M

Publisher:

Center Street

With:

Witter, Bret

Author:

Edsel, Robert M.

Subject:

Conservation & Preservation

Subject:

Military - World War II

Subject:

History : General

Subject:

General-General

Publication Date:

20100931

Binding:

TRADE PAPER

Language:

English

Pages:

512

Dimensions:

7.97x5.18x1.38 in. .92 lbs.