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

by Robert M. Edsel

Overview

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

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338251241
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	05/04/2021
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	193,128
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Robert M. Edsel is the author of three books about the Monuments Men, including the #1 New York Times bestseller The Monuments Men, which Academy Award recipient George Clooney adapted into a feature film in 2014, and Saving Italy, also a New York Times bestseller. He is also the coproducer of an Emmy-nominated documentary film. In 2007 he founded the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art, recipient of the National Humanities Medal, the United States' highest honor for work in the humanities. Mr. Edsel has received numerous awards for his work honoring the Monuments Men and Women and his advocacy of art preservation. He has served as a trustee on numerous not-for-profit organizations, including The National WWII Museum and St. Mark's School of Texas. He lives with his family in Dallas, Texas.

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.

Table of Contents

Cast of Characters xi

About the Monuments Men xiii

Prelude xix

Section I 1

Chapter 1 Letters Home 3

Chapter 2 Independence Day 19

Chapter 3 "Little Saints, Help Us!" 33

Chapter 4 The Meeting 47

Chapter 5 Priceless Dust 56

Chapter 6 Objectives 73

Chapter 7 Resurrection and Treachery 91

Chapter 8 Searching for Clues 103

Chapter 9 Getting Help 118

Chapter 10 Longings 130

Section II 143

Chapter 11 Small Victories 145

Chapter 12 Treasure Maps 159

Chapter 13 Gains and Losses 177

Chapter 14 Surprises 188

Chapter 15 On the Move 204

Chapter 16 The Beginning of the End 216

Chapter 17 Salt Mines and Jail Cells 236

Chapter 18 Closure 251

Chapter 19 Going Home 262

Epilogue 275

Glossary 289

Bibliography 293

Source Notes 301

Photograph and Map Credits 317

Index 319

Acknowledgments 331

About the Author 335

Editorial Reviews

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

From the Publisher

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

School Library Journal

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)

Kirkus Reviews