The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History (original 2009; edition 2009)

by Robert M. Edsel, Bret Witter (Contributor)

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"The previously untold story of a little-known WWII Allied division whose mission was to track down European art and treasures that had been looted by the Nazis at Hitler's command"--Provided by the publisher.

▾Book information

Member:	bluetruedream
Title:	The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History
Authors:	Robert M. Edsel
Other authors:	Bret Witter (Contributor)
Info:	Center Street (2009), Edition: Stated First Edition, Hardcover, 496 pages
Collections:	Wishlist, Your library
Rating:
Tags:	World War Two, Art, Art History

Work Information

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel (Author) (2009)

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English (91) German (1) French (1) All languages (93)

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Showing 1-5 of 91 (next | show all)

great read
focused on the stories of about 8 men- a manageable #.Balanced, for the most part-showing that some Nazi's took steps to protect the art-while others were everybody's idea of a Nazi.
Fills a void, gaining some recognition for these brave people
(

)

cspiwak | Mar 6, 2024 |

World War, 1939-1945

BooksInMirror | Feb 19, 2024 |

So I finished Robert Edsel's The Monument Men: Allied Heroes Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History. For those that saw and enjoyed the movie, this is so much better.

The book goes into small biographical histories of the original Monument Men, their various educational and career backgrounds, and their goal to save the stolen treasures of World War II and treasured architectural buildings in all of Europe including whenever possible those of the Axis Powers.

The book goes into the salt mine in Germany but also highlights other hiding spots around France. Belgium and Germany that were stolen by the Nazi’s. It also attempts to save from Hitler's Nero Decree to destroy any artwork rather that have it retrieved by the Allied Forces.

A solid 4.5 to 5 star book for me. I loved it add recommend it to all World War II students to see another side of the war. (

)

dsha67 | Jun 17, 2023 |

57885

WBCLIB | May 9, 2023 |

Wow! Definitely a side of war you don’t think about. Extremely interesting, if not a bit plodding at parts. Starts out slow, but stick with it and you’ll be rewarded. As if all the other Nazi atrocities weren’t enough (and they were and then some) you can add the ones here to that list. These guys definitely should be more famous, unsung heroes without a doubt. (

)

MrMet | Apr 28, 2023 |

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▾Published reviews

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thingScore 75

The hunters' exploits make a fascinating read. Edsel carefully and colorfully backgrounds "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History" with vivid accounts of the war's progress. But statements that recall films "based on a true story" may put some readers off. An author's note says he created dialogue for continuity but not on substance, and always with documentation.

added by Shortride | editAssociated Press, Carl Hartman (Sep 8, 2009)

▾Other authors

» Add other authors (16 possible)

Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Edsel, Robert M.	Author	primary author	all editions	confirmed
Witter, Bret	Author	main author	all editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Publisher Series

L'arte come un romanzo [Corriere della Sera] (17)

Has the adaptation

The Monuments Men [2014 film] by George Clooney

▾Awards and Honors

Distinctions

New York Times bestseller

Книга месяца в магазине "Москва" (февраль – 2014)

Notable Lists

San Diego Public Library Recommended Books (2019)

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▾Common Knowledge

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Canonical title

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

Original title

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

Alternative titles

Original publication date

2009

People/Characters

Important places

Germany

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Paris, France

Europe

Altaussee, Salzkammergut, Austria

(show all 10 items)

Important events

World War II

Related movies

The Monuments Men (2014 | IMDb)

Epigraph

Whatever these paintings may have been to men who looked at them a generation back - today they are not only works of art. Today they are the symbols of the human spirit, and of the world the freedom of the human spirit made. . . . To accept this work today is to assert the purpose of the people of America that the freedom of the human spirit and human mind which has produced the world's great art and all its science - shall not be utterly destroyed.- President Franklin D. Roosevelt, dedication ceremony of the National Gallery of Art, March 17, 1941

It used to be called plundering. But today things have become more humane. In spite of that, I intend to plunder, and to do it thoroughly. - Reichsmarschall Hermann Goring, speaking to a conference of Reich Commissioners for the Occupied Territories and the Military Commanders, Berlin, August 6, 1942

Dedication

To my mother Norma, aunt Marilyn, and son Diego - The memory of my father and uncle, A. Ray Edsel and Ron B. Wright, both veterans - And the Monuments Men and women, whose heroic efforts preserved so much of the beauty we enjoy today

First words

(Author's Note) Most of us are aware that World War II was the most destructive war in history.

The city of Karlsruhe, in southwestern Germanyk, was founded in 1715 by the Margrave Karl Wilhelm von Baden-Durlach.

Quotations

AS impossible as it seems, it was the duty of these eight officers to inspect and preserve every important monument the Allied forces encountered between the English Channel and Berlin.

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

Publisher's editors

Blurbers

Original language

English

Canonical DDC/MDS

Canonical LCC

▾References

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English (6)

Führermuseum

Hans Posse

Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program

Nazi plunder

Paul J. Sachs

Rose Valland

▾Book descriptions

"The previously untold story of a little-known WWII Allied division whose mission was to track down European art and treasures that had been looted by the Nazis at Hitler's command"--Provided by the publisher.

▾Library descriptions

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▾LibraryThing members' description

Book description

The "Monuments Men" were a special multinational group of more than 350 men and women serving in the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives (MFAA) section of the U.S. Military Government in Europe near the end of World War II, charged with tracking down, identifying, and recovering the millions of priceless works of art and cultural artifacts stolen by the Nazis. Robert Edsel has conducted painstaking research to make the world aware of the contributions of the Monuments Men and to ensure that these unsung heroes receive the recognition they deserve.

PREFACE EDITION:
From 1943 to 1951, 350 or so men and women from thirteen Allied nations served in the Monuments, Fine arts and Archives section (MFAA) of the Allied armed forces. This was the most ambitious effort in history to preserve the world's cultural heritage during war. These heroes of civilization were quite simply known as 'Monuments Men'.

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