The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History Audiobook

" 3.5 stars. A great micro story of ww2. The assiduous work of french rose valland and Jacque jaujard in impossible times during the war is worth the read. The coincidences of Harry eitlengers life amongst the chaos of war is alone a movie. His family flees from Europe only for him to come back as a monument man and recover his and many other families stolen art pieces. The success of some of the noteable monument men after the war is impressive. If you've been to a museum in Europe you should thank these guys for the walls not missing so many cultural treasures. "

" Fantastic and moving book, clearly describing a little-known but important story. "

" A fantastic read about preserving art in the middle of war. I never thought of this before and was astonished by the lengths gone to by individuals to steal or preserve priceless art in the midst of chaos. "

" This ambitious book may attempt too much--setting too many characters on both sides, complicated maneuvers and tricky bureaucratic brinksmanship against a backdrop of raging battles and falling cities. But it captures the chaos of war, the dedication of those tasked with preserving the world's cultural heritage, and the singleminded rapacity of the enemy. "

" A novelized history book that glorifies the hard work and dedication of several art history scholars to document/save/return works of art displaced or destroyed by world war two. It is a unique historical moment and the author does well in letting the importance appear rather than asserting it. "

" Sometimes slow going but very interesting look at the efforts to preserve great works of art during WWII. It really makes you stop and think about an entirely different kind of wartime atrocity - the looting and/or destroying of cultural artifacts (think looting of Iraq museums). "

" long but very interesting true story of the few soldiers with even fewer resources who were assigned the task of protecting Europe's art treasures at the end of WWII. "

" Well researched, but moves quite slowly. "

" The book is interesting but repeats. It gives a reality check on the perils of war and culture but also how WWII was very harsh for the European community. The last winter of the war was cold and to be in a war as well must have been hell frozen over. "

" Great combination of art and history. A story completely unknown to me prior to reading this. "

" Damn Nazis "

" Fantastic book! anybody interested in art or World War II history must read. We all owe these mken a dept of gratitude for saving so much of the worlds cultural treasures. "

" An amazing story of a small number of allied troops whose mission was to recover are plundered by the nazis. Definitely slow at times and gets slightly technical about art conservation (a subject i know little or nothing about), but I was just fascinated by it. "

" Fascinating! WWII from a different angle. Also interesting statements/quotes about why art is important. "

" I really liked this book, it was like reading an Indian Jones adventure. I really admire the Men in this book that were so dedicated to saving and preserving the great Art Treasures of Europe. I would encourage everyone to read this book, it is a very important part of history. "

" Great book, but not quite Beautiful Loot so it did not get 5 stars "

" Very detailed and Interesting. Not exactly a page turner since it is mainly a statement of facts. "

" Fascinating read. Well told story of the men and women who worked to protect and restore Europe' art treasures and buildings during WWII. Harrowing stories of art rescued in the nick of time and other works that did not survive. Excellent audiobook. "

" Fascinating read; I really enjoyed it. "

" those fuckin' nazis. I didn't realize the scale of what they stole and Hitler's insane orders to destroy everything as the war was being lost. Fascinating story, and so pathetic that we learned nothing from it and totally screwed up protecting cultural treasures in Iraq "

" AN EYEOPENER FOR ME EVEN THOUGH I HAVE READ SO MUCH ABOUT WORLD WAR II. LOVED IT. "

" There is a superb book in there somewhere. It was not the subject as such, the subject is riveting, but the way it is presented. Almost like reading a novel at times. "

" Great book, but not quite Beautiful Loot so it did not get 5 stars "

" Amazing adventure by a very special group. Very worth reading. "

" This book covered a subject that I was only tangentially acquainted with. The author made the history come alive and made the men who "found" the hidden art treasures appropriated by the Nazis seem very real and very alive. An easy, interesting read. "

" I really enjoyed learning about an aspect of WWII that I was completely unaware of. It really emphasizes the total devastation that Hitler was about to perpetrate on humanity. "

" It was very good and historically accurate, however I thought it was going to be about something else than what it was. So I'll give this one 3 stars. :) "