The Monuments Men (book)
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Robert M. Edsel, Bret Witter |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History is a 2009 factual account authored by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter. It documents the mission of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program during and following World War II, focusing on safeguarding Europe’s cultural heritage and retrieving artwork looted by the Nazis. After thorough investigation into this often overlooked initiative, the book achieved the top position on the New York Times best seller list, especially following its 2014 cinematic adaptation directed by and starring George Clooney.
Background
Edsel, originally from Texas and a former entrepreneur who sold his oil exploration firm in 1995, developed a fascination with how European art endured the ravages of WWII while he was in Europe. Motivated by Lynn H. Nicholas's 1994 publication The Rape of Europa, which explores Nazi art theft, Edsel contributed funding to a documentary inspired by Nicholas’s research that was released in 2007.
Starting with minimal knowledge of WWII or art history, Edsel launched a research office in Dallas dedicated to uncovering the story of the "Monuments Men"—a group comprising artists, historians, and museum curators assigned to Allied forces to identify and protect cultural assets. In 2006, he released Rescuing Da Vinci, which includes 460 images chronicling their endeavors.
In 2007, Edsel successfully advocated for Congressional acknowledgment of the Monuments Men’s vital role. On June 6—the 63rd D-Day anniversary—he founded the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art, a nonprofit organization committed to maintaining their heritage (renamed Monuments Men and Women Foundation in 2022). The foundation assembled biographies for over 350 members and actively followed leads on missing artworks through a public hotline. That same year, it was honored with the National Humanities Medal by President George W. Bush.
Edsel collaborated with Bret Witter, known for his 2008 book Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, to co-author The Monuments Men.
Synopsis
The Monuments Men narrates the activities of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) unit, established in 1943 after the Roberts Commission. The unit became operational following the Allied Normandy invasion, tasked with safeguarding Europe’s cultural landmarks and recovering Nazi-looted artworks during their occupation.
By 1951, approximately 350 individuals had served within MFAA; initially, only eight were stationed in Northern Europe and 27 in Italy. These personnel worked close to combat zones despite often lacking adequate transport, equipment, or reliable maps. At least two members lost their lives in action.
Recruited mainly from the art world, MFAA personnel were highly educated yet held relatively low military ranks. Prominent figures include James Rorimer, later director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Lincoln Kirstein, co-founder of the New York City Ballet. The account also emphasizes Rose Valland, a French museum official who covertly recorded Nazi art thefts and assisted recovery operations.
The book outlines two significant recoveries: one at Neuschwanstein, where 21,000 items were found; another at salt mines in Altaussee, containing 6,714 paintings and sculptures such as the Ghent Altarpiece and Michelangelo's Bruges Madonna. The Altaussee stockpile was preserved due to a German officer’s refusal to carry out orders for its destruction.
Additionally, MFAA oversaw the meticulous restitution of artworks to their rightful owners. For instance, the Bruges Madonna was packed with such care that it could be safely moved between alpine sites without harm. Ultimately, MFAA facilitated the return of over five million objects including paintings, sculptures, books, reliquaries, stained glass from cathedrals, and roughly 5,000 church bells that Nazis had planned to melt down.
Reception
The Monuments Men was met with generally positive critiques. Time International remarked that while the book is rich in historical facts, Edsel skillfully maintains an engaging and light narrative flow. The Toronto Sun called it a "captivating tale," commending Edsel's enthusiasm and Witter's collaborative writing. According to The Jerusalem Post, Edsel plays a crucial role in safeguarding the legacy of the MFAA, emphasizing the "bravery, expertise, and determination" of its members. The Boston Globe valued the emphasis on individual characters, describing the work as "hard to put down," despite moments of occasional melodrama.
However, some reviewers expressed concerns over dramatization. The Associated Press warned that the novelistic approach might alienate certain readers. The New Criterion acknowledged the book’s engaging nature but recommended a more direct narrative without fabricated dialogues to enhance its impact. The Evening Chronicle recognized the thorough research but criticized the "fragmented and overly theatrical style."
After the 2014 cinematic version was released, The Monuments Men ascended to the top position on the combined print and e-book nonfiction New York Times Best Seller list.
Film adaptation
In 2012, George Clooney revealed his intention to transform The Monuments Men into a motion picture, which he both directed and starred in. The 2014 release featured actors such as Matt Damon, Bill Murray, and John Goodman. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 30% of 257 critics gave favorable feedback, with reviews acknowledging its honorable purpose and strong ensemble but criticizing its "stiffly nostalgic atmosphere and oddly loose storyline." The film modified several characters' names from their historical originals and attracted criticism for inaccuracies in its portrayal of events.