The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History: The Story of the Monuments Men (Scholastic Focus)

by Robert M. Edsel Narrated by Robert M. Edsel

Overview

Robert M. Edsel brings the story of his #1 NYT bestseller for adults The Monuments Men to young readers for the first time in this dynamic, narrative nonfiction project packed with photos.

Robert M. Edsel, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Monuments Men, brings this story to young readers for the first time in a sweeping, dynamic adventure detailing history's greatest treasure hunt.As the most destructive war in history ravaged Europe, many of the world's most cherished cultural objects were in harm's way. The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History recounts the astonishing true story of 11 men and one woman who risked their lives amidst the bloodshed of World War II to preserve churches, libraries, monuments, and works of art that for centuries defined the heritage of Western civilization. As the war raged, these American and British volunteers -- museum curators, art scholars and educators, architects, archivists, and artists, known as the Monuments Men -- found themselves in a desperate race against time to locate and save the many priceless treasures and works of art stolen by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.

Editorial Reviews

MARCH 2019 - AudioFile

Author Edsel narrates with the urgency the Monuments Men themselves must have felt as they hurried to locate art stolen by the Germans during WWII. Edsel focuses on eleven men and one woman who traveled in Italy, France, Belgium, and into Germany itself to locate works of art stolen from museums and private collections and to plan the restoration of buildings of cultural significance that were destroyed in the fighting. The audiobook zigs and zags from one person to the next and from one project to the next, then circles back. Edsel’s pace never lets up. This slice of history is compelling and will bring vital knowledge to young listeners. A.R. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

Praise for The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History:* "With precise details, incredible adventure, and mounting intensity... these amazing stories from history not only depict true heroes but encourage readers to question the value of art throughout humanity and civilization. Monumental, indeed." — Booklist, starred review"Help[s] breathe life into these scholarly — and highly driven — men... Richly engaging and highly informative." — Kirkus Reviews"Fascinating." — School Library Connection

School Library Journal

Winter 2018

Gr 7 Up—In this adaptation for young readers, the author details how 11 dedicated Allied military men and one civilian French woman fought to rescue and preserve many of the world's most valuable works of art during World War II. These items had been systematically stolen from German, French, and Italian museums and prominent Jewish families under the direction of Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goring, and their henchmen. The text begins with a photo-biography of the cast of characters, both Allied and Axis. Edsel recounts the organized looting, often times describing and naming the works of art that were being stolen or being sought. Following tips from various sources, the Monuments Men, as they were known, were able to locate, even while the war raged, many of the clandestine depositories—damaged churches, warehouses, caves, or mines. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white photos of the heroes, villains, and many of the art objects, the narrative flows smoothly, if not always compellingly. Students with knowledge of the Second World War will find this title intriguing. VERDICT A first purchase to bolster existing World War II collections or for students with an interest in art history.—Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS

Kirkus Reviews

2018-09-17

During World War II, a team of so-called Monuments Men was formed to search for and recover the enormous collection of art treasures that Hitler and his minions looted from museums, churches, and private collections all across Europe.

The tale is focused on a small, although representative, number of the approximately 350 men (and women) who served up until 1951, locating hoards of some of the world's best loved and most culturally significant art, much of it stashed in damp tunnels scattered across Germany. Edsel's backstories of the 10 Monuments Men covered in the tale help breathe life into these scholarly—and highly driven—men. Although the war is presented mostly as a backdrop to their energetic detective work, enough information on the struggle is included to keep the quest in context and to remind readers that these unlikely soldiers were often in peril. Based primarily upon his adult work The Monuments Men (2009) along with two others on the same subject (Rescuing Da Vinci, 2006; Saving Italy, 2013), Edsel's effort for younger readers is still lengthy. Numerous well-placed photographs (many more than in the adult version) are included and appear on most pages. Although the book is richly engaging and highly informative, its audience may be limited to those readers who already have some awareness of the extent of Nazi thievery and the nearly inconceivable danger the art was placed in. Figures profiled all seem to be white. Excellent backmatter is included.

A high-interest work on an important topic. (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170857418
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	01/29/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

Second Lieutenant — and former museum curator — Jim Rorimer knew practically every inch of the Louvre, one of the largest and most frequently visited art museums in the world. The paintings and sculpture that covered the walls and filled its rooms were as recognizable to him as his oldest friends. But that was a different time. War had a way of making familiar ground feel unfamiliar.An unsettling silence had replaced the hustle and bustle of tourists. As Rorimer ascended the grand entry stairwell, he was shocked by the absence of one of the Louvre's signature pieces, a work that for decades had towered over all who climbed the steps: The Winged Victory of Samothrace, a second-century BCE Greek sculpture. At the top of the staircase he turned right, then right again into the main gallery. The paintings were also gone. In their place, someone had handwritten in chalk the names of artists and inventory numbers of their work. The Louvre was empty: no visitors, no works of art, just a lone Monuments Man armed with dozens of questions, striding with purpose — Rorimer always walked with purpose — down the Grande Galerie of the museum on his way to an appointment.

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