Robert edsel s book rescuing da vinci chronicles one of the most fascinating and tumultuous periods in art history. Author robert edsel discusses the life of a jewish world war ii veteran born in germany duration. Edsel made his debut as a published author in 2006 with the nonfiction book rescuing da vinci. Robert edsels book rescuing da vinci chronicles one of the most fascinating and tumultuous periods in art history. Resistance at the museum for getting the french post to make this commemorative stamp. Edsel is the bestselling author of the monuments men and rescuing da vinci and coproducer of the awardwinning documentary film the rape of europa. Hitler and the nazis stole europes great art america and her allies recovered it. Robert edsel is a true american hero and im happy to give this book my full endorsement. The race to rescue a nations treasures from the nazis accompanied by a multimedia presentation about the author. Allied heroes, nazi thieves, and the greatest treasure hunt in history, which academy award recipient george clooney adapted into a feature film in 2014. He has written three nonfiction books rescuing da vinci 2006, monuments men. As robert edsel shows us in this valuable book, the artistic patrimony of the western world was a hostage to hitlers legions in 1945. Scholastic, who published my most recent book the greatest treasure hunt in history, created a wonderful educator guide with suggestions for activities and discussion subjects.
Edsel has done a great service not only to tell the story of the monuments men and the work they did in italy but also to remind mankind what the germans did. Edsel lived in florence, italy for several years, but now lives in his hometown of dallas, texas. Saving italy in august 1943, on the eve of the allied invasion of italy, allied bombs threatened michelangelos david and nearly destroyed leonardo da vincis last supper. That book is also excellent, but the narration in this case is far superioredoardo ballerini has a perfect accent in both american english and italian, so. After living in florence for five years, he now resides in robert m. May 06, 20 edsel visited the film set of the monuments men in berlin last month and says, the first moment that i heard an actor recite a line that i had written in the book sent a shiver up my spine. The race to rescue a nations treasures from the nazis, which tells the dramatic story of the monuments men in italy during the allied invasion of. He has written three nonfiction books rescuing da vinci 2006.
The story of the quest to protect, rescue and restore europes cultural treasures is told in a new movie, the monuments men. He is a well known expert and advocate on world war ii art history and preservation. I believe that saving italy is a major contribution to the history of world war ii. Robert edsel with bret witter, read by jeremy davidson. Edsel is a writer and producer, known for the monuments men 2014, the rape of europa 2006 and monuments men 2007. Presenting his new book for young readers, the greatest treasure hunt in history. Robert edsel and his team of investigators have traveled to twelve countries around the globe, determined to reunite long sought treasures with their rightful owners.
Following a divorce in 2000, edsel moved to new york city, where he began a. Edsel i nyt bestselling author i monuments men i books. Bret witter is a book editor and professional writer. Edsel recounted the astonishing true story of the men and women who risked their lives amid the bloodshed of world war ii to preserve churches, libraries, monuments, and works of art that for centuries defined the heritage of western civilization. Edsel is the bestselling author of saving italy, the monuments men and rescuing da vinci and coproducer of the. Marks in 1975 and briefly attended the university of georgia.
The race to rescue a nations treasures from the nazis accompanied by a multimedia presentation. Edsel 2009, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Author robert edsel talks about the men and women who protected artwork during wwii and shares his new book, rescuing da vinci. Allied heroes, nazi thieves, and the greatest treasure hunt in history, which academy award. He told tales and answered questions about the monuments men people of the allied forces monuments, fine arts, and archives. Robert edsel, author of the book that inspired the new film, joins.
Robert morse edsel born december 28, 1956 is an american businessman and author. During world war ii the nazi state engaged in a massive and systemic plunder of art treasures, stripping objets dart from public galleries, churches, libraries and private owners. Edsel i nyt bestselling author i monuments men i about. Now a hollywood film, edsel s book details the extraordinary scale of hitlers theft, alongside the calculated destruction of jewish art and culture. Settling in florence seeing some of the great works, he wondered how all of the monuments and art treasures survived the devastation of world war ii. The race to rescue a nations treasures from the nazis accompanied by a. Edsel is also the founder and president of the monuments men foundation, a recipient of the national humanities medal, and a trustee at the national wwii museum. When i asked jobst where edsel plans to live if he sells the turtle creek mansion, she said, hell probably do. The greatest treasure hunt in history by robert edsel. Musician john legend on his album, once again, and his upbringing in gospel. Edsel is also the president and founder of monuments men foundation for the preservation of art which is a recipient of the national humanities medal. Edsel is a well renowned american nonfiction author, businessman and tennis player. Edsel is the bestselling author of saving italy, the monuments men and rescuing da vinci and coproducer of the awardwinning documentary film the rape. Allied heroes, nazi thieves and the greatest treasure hunt in history, and the new book saving italy.
What other book might you compare saving italy to and why. May 02, 20 the threetime author is currently on a book tour for his new book, saving italy. The monuments men was adapted into a film starring george clooney, matt damon, bill murray, and cate blanchett. As the most destructive war in history ravaged europe.
Edsel 2010, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. This was an allencompassing and spellbinding account of the race to save italys cultural heritage after the allied forces stormed into italy in 1943 and the subsequent retreat of the german army. Aug 03, 20 in 2009, robert edsel published his second book, the monuments men. Edsel has had at least three clearly defined successful careers in his 61 years in a wide variety of fields. Allied heroes, nazi thieves, and the greatest treasure hunt in history, 2009, etc. Eisenhower empowered a new kind of soldier to protect these historic riches. Edsel is the bestselling author of saving italy, the monuments men and. In pursuit of his passion, he transferred to southern methodist university in 1976. Edsel is the bestselling author of saving italy, the monuments men and rescuing da vinci and coproducer of the awardwinning documentary film the rape of europa. Author soldiers on to get story of wwiis monuments men. Robert edsel began his career in the oil and gas exploration business. This book gives a more in depth understanding of what the monuments men endured, continuing from the first book, rescuing da vinci. In 1996 he moved to europe to pursue his interests in the arts.
Saving italy rescues an unlikely troop of american heroes from obscurity, chronicling the exploits of a band of art professors working for the u. Robert edsels the greatest treasure hunt in history is a book for young adults and older children focusing on a group of eleven men and one woman who were part of the monuments men, a group of soldiers from american and great britain. Mar 07, 2019 robert edsel s the greatest treasure hunt in history is a book for young adults and older children focusing on a group of eleven men and one woman who were part of the monuments men, a group of soldiers from american and great britain whose goal was to preserve the art treasures of western europe during world war ii. This book tells the stories of a special allied force made up museum conservators, directors and curators who made all the efforts and risked their lives in protecting and keeping europes masterpieces from falling into the nazis hands.
Allied heroes, nazi thieves, and the greatest treasure hunt in history by robert m. Robert edsel united states holocaust memorial museum. Edsel is the founder and president of the monuments men foundation for the preservation of art, a notforprofit. Allied heroes, nazi thieves and the greatest treasure hunt in history. The greatest treasure hunt in history recounts the. Robert edsels third book, saving italy may 20, follows two monuments men as they struggle to protect and save some of the worlds greatest treasures located in italy, including works by leonardo da vinci and michelangelo. Edsel is the author of the nonfiction books, rescuing da vinci and the monuments men. Nazi treasure hunters debuted in the united kingdom and canada in fall 2017, and in may 2018 in the united states and elsewhere around the globe. The race to rescue a nations treasures from the nazis, which tells the dramatic story of the monuments men in italy during the allied invasion of world war ii. Allied heroes, nazi thieves and the greatest treasure hunt in history 2007.
Monuments men, also by robert edsel, which covers the activities in northeastern europe belgium, france, germany, austria. Robert edsel tells the story of the monuments men at work in italy in his new book, saving italy. In 2009, robert edsel published his second book, the monuments men. The monuments men goodreads meet your next favorite book. Robert edsel february 22 to all the teachers out there. As the most destructive war in history ravaged europe, many of the worlds most cherished cultural objects were in harms way. The narrative and research are exceptionally well done. The race to rescue a nations treasures from the nazis. Nazi treasure hunters debuted in the united kingdom and canada in fall 2017, and in may. February 6 congratulations to corinne bouchoux, former senator of france and author of the book rose valland. This book tells the stories of a special allied force made up museum conservators, directors and curators. Edsel visited the film set of the monuments men in berlin last month and says, the first moment that i heard an actor recite a line that i had written in the book sent a shiver up my spine. Edsel is the founder and president of the monuments men foundation for the preservation of art, which received the 2007 national humanities medal under president george w.
Jan 28, 2019 presenting his new book for young readers, the greatest treasure hunt in history. The race to rescue a nations treasures from the nazis is the final book in the monuments men trilogy by robert edsel. Edsel is the american author of the nonfiction book rescuing da vinci, and a coproducer of the twohour documentary film entitled the rape of europa. Edsel is also the coproducer of the awardwinning documentary film, the rape of europa. Robert edsel s book the monuments men is about a group of allied men and women tasked with saving the cultural and artistic treasures of europe. This is the blockbuster story of the race to save the worlds greatest masterpieces by the bestselling author of the monuments men.