Saving Italy: the race to rescue a nation's treasures from the Nazis

Abstract

When Hitler's armies occupied Italy in 1943, they also seized control of mankind's greatest cultural treasures. As they had done throughout Europe, the Nazis could now plunder the masterpieces of the Renaissance, the treasures of the Vatican, and the antiquities of the Roman Empire. In May 1944 two unlikely American heroes--artist Deane Keller and scholar Fred Hartt--embarked from Naples on the tresure hunt of a lifetime, tracking billions of dollars of missing art, including works by Michelangelo, Donatello, Titian, Caravaggio, and Botticelli.

Contents

Section I. Inception. Changing of the guard -- A new type of soldier -- "Bombs and words" -- The experiment begins -- Growing pains -- A new order -- A troubled bunch -- Gifts -- Section II. Struggle. The first test -- Close call -- Refuge -- Life on the road -- Treasure hunt -- Surprises -- Guardian angels -- "Little saints, help us" -- "The most beautiful cemetery in the word' -- Whereabouts unknown -- Resurrection -- Christmas wishes -- Section III. Victory. Trouble in the ranks -- Switching sides -- Operation sunrise -- Complications -- Surrender -- The race -- The big move -- Section IV. Aftermath. Perspective -- The heroes and their legacy -- Acknowledgements -- Have you seen these works of art? -- Monuments men and women serving in the Mediterranean theater.