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.

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.

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.

Edsel has also written and published Rescuing Da Vinci, which directly draws upon the experience he had in Italy. He has also been involved with documentary film making about this time in history and the protection of culture when under attack in time of war. Most recently, the book has been made into a movie produced and screen-written by George Clooney.

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.

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.

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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