The Monuments Men books is a bestseller that takes the reader on a high-paced treasure hunt through war torn Europe in the closing days of World War II. It is the story of the men and women who made up the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives unit, a highly secretive and little known group formed under the orders of President Roosevelt and General Eisenhower. Their orders were to seek out and protect our cultural patrimony from the clutches of Hitler, theft and destruction.
Towards the end of World War II world leaders and experts in the arts world became concerned at the very real danger of some of the world's patrimony being lost forever. The threat of theft and destruction of valuable pieces of art and monuments was already happening and had to be brought under control. This led to the creation of the special unit whose chief orders were to seek out and protect these for the future of mankind's cultural heritage.
This often neglected aspect to the war in Europe makes for fascinating reading. You are invited into the world of intrigue as a collection of specially chosen unit members ranging from professiona such as archivists, curators and educators hunt down priceless artworks and save them from the Nazis. Much was at risk as the Nazis picked off masterpieces and destroyed without a second thought art that was determined to be "degenerate".
The author of the book is Robert M Edsel, who gave up his profession in the United States to move to Europe and explore his passions. Along the way he began to investigate what happened to artworks and pieces of cultural importance during the World Wars. With his curiosity piqued, he began to unravel its fascinating history.
What he found is a fascinating group of men and women who came together to form the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Unit. Together this unit raced against the clock to seek out and save important cultural artwork, relics and artifacts in war torn Europe. They were drawn from various professions, but together they are responsible for much of the artworks we can still appreciate to this day. This well written and enthralling page turner takes you back decades into the action on a true treasure hunt of epic proportions.
The unit was created and active for the last 11 months of the war. During that time they went undercover all over Europe on a giant treasure hunt with the clock and the odds against them. The picked up on clues, followed leads and successfully saved a lot of artwork and other cultural artifacts from being lost.
The book has been made into a movie produced, written and starring George Clooney. Other cast members that bring the pages to life on the silver screen include some of Hollywood's hottest actors, such as: Matt Damon, Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett. The movie is scheduled for release in 2014 by Columbia Pictures and 20th Century Fox.
The Monuments Men book is a thrilling, twisting tale weaving itself in an out of some of the most dramatic events of World War II. A must read for any history buff or those who love a triumph over crippling odds.
Towards the end of World War II world leaders and experts in the arts world became concerned at the very real danger of some of the world's patrimony being lost forever. The threat of theft and destruction of valuable pieces of art and monuments was already happening and had to be brought under control. This led to the creation of the special unit whose chief orders were to seek out and protect these for the future of mankind's cultural heritage.
This often neglected aspect to the war in Europe makes for fascinating reading. You are invited into the world of intrigue as a collection of specially chosen unit members ranging from professiona such as archivists, curators and educators hunt down priceless artworks and save them from the Nazis. Much was at risk as the Nazis picked off masterpieces and destroyed without a second thought art that was determined to be "degenerate".
The author of the book is Robert M Edsel, who gave up his profession in the United States to move to Europe and explore his passions. Along the way he began to investigate what happened to artworks and pieces of cultural importance during the World Wars. With his curiosity piqued, he began to unravel its fascinating history.
What he found is a fascinating group of men and women who came together to form the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives Unit. Together this unit raced against the clock to seek out and save important cultural artwork, relics and artifacts in war torn Europe. They were drawn from various professions, but together they are responsible for much of the artworks we can still appreciate to this day. This well written and enthralling page turner takes you back decades into the action on a true treasure hunt of epic proportions.
The unit was created and active for the last 11 months of the war. During that time they went undercover all over Europe on a giant treasure hunt with the clock and the odds against them. The picked up on clues, followed leads and successfully saved a lot of artwork and other cultural artifacts from being lost.
The book has been made into a movie produced, written and starring George Clooney. Other cast members that bring the pages to life on the silver screen include some of Hollywood's hottest actors, such as: Matt Damon, Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett. The movie is scheduled for release in 2014 by Columbia Pictures and 20th Century Fox.
The Monuments Men book is a thrilling, twisting tale weaving itself in an out of some of the most dramatic events of World War II. A must read for any history buff or those who love a triumph over crippling odds.
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