12/24/2013

Bestselling Monuments Men Book Review

By Marcia Marks


The Monuments Men book weaves the tale of one of the grandest treasure hunts in recent history. It follows the adventures of a specially created unit during World War II. Their mission is to seek out and protect some of Europe's most important cultural relics and artifacts from theft or destruction by the Nazis.

Between the declaration of D-Day and VE Day, the unit was operational and set to work seeking out precious art works that were being pilfered by the Nazis. Hitler was taking priceless works of art and what he was not taking for his collections, he was destroying. The powers that be had noted what was happening and were putting their foot down to save the pieces of art and monuments for mankind.

Almost everyone knows of the human rights atrocities of the Nazis, but this parallel destruction of cultural patrimony is an often neglected area. This story brings to life on the page the brave efforts of archivists, curators and educators, among others, who formed a part of the unit. It is thanks to their efforts that a lot of priceless art or monuments were saved.

This incredible book is written by Robert M Edsel and co-written with Brett Witter. Robert Edsel became fascinated by this chapter in European war time history after quitting his job in mining and oil in the USA and moving to Florence, Italy. The catalyst for the book came from visiting the many museums over Italy and wondering what had happened to them during the World Wars.

The unit was made up of both men and women who came from several nations and were drawn from professions ranging from education to museum curators and archivists. Risking their lives for our cultural heritage, these war time treasure hunters were engaged in a race against the clock with the bomb-riddled Europe nipping and their heels. With only their steadfast belief in the importance of their actions to sustain them, they achieved great things.

Robert M. Edsel has also authored Rescuing Da Vinci, which directly chronicles some of the research he undertook while living in Florence, Italy. After giving up his job in gas and oil, he left the United States to live in Europe. While visiting the museums there he began to wonder about how it had all been saved from damage during World War II.

Recently, the story has leaped off the page and into the studio where it has been screen written and produced by George Clooney. The movie release in 2014 boasts a stand out cast headed by George Clooney with Bill Murray and Matt Damon. It will be distributed by 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures.

If you are looking for a thrilling tale that is intertwined with an often unexplored aspect of history, then the Monuments Men book is for you. History lovers, adventure buffs and lovers of a good, edge of your seat, story will be more than satisfied with this offering. Look out for it now.




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