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.
Adolf Hitler's systematic genocide is well documented and widely known. However, one of his often overlooked actions was the theft of countless of the very finest of artworks in Europe. He was collecting and cataloguing these pieces as well as ordering the destruction of other artworks he considered to be "degenerate" and not in line with the world vision he wanted to encourage.
Written by Robert M Edsel, with Bret Witter the story chronicles the 11 month period of the unit's operation from just before D-Day to VE Day. The thrilling tale takes you on adventures behind enemy lines as the members of the unit sift through Europe hunting down priceless works and saving them and with them thousands of years of collected cultural 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.
Edsel is also the author of Rescuing Da Vinci, which explores an impressive art heist. Originally Edsel was involved in gas and oil business, but left the industry in order to indulge his love of the arts, and moved to Florence, Italy. Upon visiting some of the great city's museums he began to wonder about how so many of the pieces on display had made it through the world wars unscathed and intact.
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.
For a non-stop, twisting and turning tale that offers roller coaster after loop the loop of adventures, the Monuments Men book is a fantastic choice. Not only is it an incredible read, it offers a unique glimpse into an aspect of war torn Europe that has previously been largely ignored in popular culture. This book opens your eyes to a whole new class of war time hero.
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.
Adolf Hitler's systematic genocide is well documented and widely known. However, one of his often overlooked actions was the theft of countless of the very finest of artworks in Europe. He was collecting and cataloguing these pieces as well as ordering the destruction of other artworks he considered to be "degenerate" and not in line with the world vision he wanted to encourage.
Written by Robert M Edsel, with Bret Witter the story chronicles the 11 month period of the unit's operation from just before D-Day to VE Day. The thrilling tale takes you on adventures behind enemy lines as the members of the unit sift through Europe hunting down priceless works and saving them and with them thousands of years of collected cultural 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.
Edsel is also the author of Rescuing Da Vinci, which explores an impressive art heist. Originally Edsel was involved in gas and oil business, but left the industry in order to indulge his love of the arts, and moved to Florence, Italy. Upon visiting some of the great city's museums he began to wonder about how so many of the pieces on display had made it through the world wars unscathed and intact.
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.
For a non-stop, twisting and turning tale that offers roller coaster after loop the loop of adventures, the Monuments Men book is a fantastic choice. Not only is it an incredible read, it offers a unique glimpse into an aspect of war torn Europe that has previously been largely ignored in popular culture. This book opens your eyes to a whole new class of war time hero.
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