Rescuing Da Vinci is about touching peoples’ lives, from Monuments Men and their surviving families to art experts and general readers alike. The following reviews, all of which have been received without solicitation, have affirmed the excitement and importance of this story. We hope you, too, will share your comments with us.
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Offenbach Collecting Point |
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Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives | Victims of Nazi Looting | Nazi Theft Experts | Publishing Experts | Researchers | Politicians | General  Congratulations on the publication of your outstanding pictorial chronicle of the theft and recovery of European art during WWII. I am thrilled with the book, its content, of course, the layout and the text. It has actually helped me to orient the stories my father recounted in their context. Poring over the volume, after zeroing in on my father’s pictures, I recognized the faces of Edith Standen, Mason Hammond, Dean Keller and George Stout, all of whom I met as a child. I am tremendously thankful that you have devoted so much of your energy to making sure this story would be presented in this form, and proud to see the heroic work of so many individuals recorded for what I hope will be a wider audience. - Deane Hancock French, Daughter of Capt. Walker K. Hancock, “Monuments” Officer who developed a list of monuments to be protected and exempt from military use.
Your book that you so thoughtfully sent me is indeed, as you say, a “labor of love.” Carefully researched, edited, and beautifully designed, it will surely become an important document in recording the Hitler era and its immediate aftermath. By contrasting the avarice of the Germans to the even-handed respect the Americans, English and French had for European’s cultural heritage, you have given notable credit to the role that the art objects played. Congratulations on your fine achievement - Sgt. Kenneth C. Lindsay, “Monuments” Officer and member of the Wiesbaden Collecting Point.
Captain (finally Major) Deane Keller, would have been very pleased with the book. Congratulations. - William B. Keller, Son of Captain Deane Keller, MFAA officer who was valiantly instrumental in the salvage and conservation of some of Italy’s greatest art treasures, - Italy’s “Monuments” Officer
I cannot thank you enough for all you have done to bring the film, The Rape of Europa,, and the book, Rescuing Da Vinci, into being. I have poured over the book, enjoying both the photographs I knew and those that are new to me. It has given me great pleasure to remember that time and to know that Lynn Nicholas’ research has been furthered by the important book and film you have supported. - Charles Parkhurst, Navy Lt. and Deputy Chief of MFAA Section – Germany, “Monuments” Officer
Your lovely book arrived today, May 18, 2006. I am very pleased with the extensive and careful job you did documenting the history and work of the MFAA. I was also extremely proud to see a quote from my “Uncle Ern” included. My uncle was Ernest DeWald, Lt. Col., MFAA. Thank you for telling the story of these hardworking men and women. - Laura Kent, Niece of Lt. Col. Ernest T. DeWald, Director of the MFAA Subcommission of the Allied Commission in Italy (1943-46), “Monuments” Officer
Thank you for a very impressive book. You’ve done a great service and told clearly what often never gets told. - Lt. Cdr. S. Lane Faison, Jr., Member of the Art Looting Investigation Unit (ALIU),“Monuments” Officer |
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 I was astonished to see Rescuing Da Vinci on my desk and thrilled to have a copy. If you hadn’t been so thorough and passionate in your research and writing, and if the book were only a tad smaller and less lavishly illustrated and beautifully produced, I would take it on the plane with me. I’ve dipped into it enough to send heartiest congratulations and warm thanks for a brilliant job of detective work and a labor of love. - Edgar Peters Bowron, The Audrey Beck Curator of European Art, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
As an art historian with a personal remembrance of World War II, I was emotionally overwhelmed by your magnificent Rescuing Da Vinci. Your book should be in wide release for the historical edification of all. How fortunate we are to have photographic documentation of Hitler’s looting and destruction, and we owe you a huge debt for assembling the contents of your wonderful book. - San Francisco museum curator
Rescuing Da Vinci is fascinating and I am thoroughly enjoying each and every page! The photos are astounding and the visual story it tells opens up a whole new realm of the war. You have done an outstanding job and I wanted to send my congratulations on your magnificent work. It is truly a treasure. - Kay Fortson, President, Kimbell Art Foundation
The book is really lovely – beautifully designed and produced – and provides a wealth of photographic documentation which will be revelatory to its readers. - Nancy H. Yeide, Author of “The American Association of Museums Guide to Provenance”
This is an amazing accomplishment. - Claire Barry, Chief Conservator, Kimbell Art Museum
Your book is absolutely fascinating. Unearthing all those photographs is a real achievement, and a great contribution to art history. - Dr. William B. Jordan, Noted Art Historian, Author, and Specialist in Spanish Art
I could not put the book down, so I ordered four copies. Congratulations on producing a fascinating book. - Otto Naumann, Noted Art Dealer, Author and Specialist in Dutch Art |
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 Thank you for the extraordinary chef d’oeure of your book, Rescuing Da Vinci! I couldn’t put it down and can’t thank you enough for this wonderful gift! I would love to thank you in person for this incredible book that will give me hours of fascinating pleasure! - Maria Altmann, who recently had restituted five paintings by Gustav Klimt by the government of Austria, of which the “Gold Portrait” was recently sold for $135 million making it the most expensive work of art in the world.
The impact of the pictures from Robert's book so vividly portrays a cultural rape of mind-boggling proportions, that I am still impacted by it. - Peter Altmann, son of Maria Altmann, who recently had restituted one painting by Gustav Klimt by the government of Austria.
Your beautiful book brought to my mind many family souvenirs. My family’s art collection was looted by the Nazis and the Vichy regime. With great efforts, we have obtained the restitution of Guardi, Goya and Tenier paintings from the Musées de France. - Alaine Monteagle, heir to John Jaffe, who recently had restituted one painting by J.M.W. Turner by Kimbell Art Museum
I cannot thank you enough for writing this incredible book – so true to what happened. Every time I open it, I find myself over and over in those years that shaped me and my future. |
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 In this book Robert Edsel and his extraordinary team of researchers have retrieved and reproduced for the general public a rare collection of photographs illustrating the dramatic vicissitudes of Europe’s masterpieces and the people who held them dear. No one who has seen these pictures will ever again view a painting in a museum or an historic building without being reminded of the terrible dangers which may have befallen it and marveling at the miracle of its survival....This book and its unforgettable images will surely help in that endeavor, and Robert Edsel is to be commended for commemorating here the terrible events of World War II and the heroic efforts of the “Monuments Men” to save Europe’s artistic treasures. - Lynn Nicholas, Acclaimed Author of Rape of Europa
I just received your book and it’s stunning. What an accomplishment! I am so impressed. It’s a real contribution to the field. Just having the photos brought together is invaluable, but the text is also very compelling. - Jonathan Petropoulos, Ph.D., John V. Croul Professor of History - Claremont McKenna College, Director - Gould Center for Humanistic Studies, Associate Director - Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights, Author of “The Faustian Bargain” and Art as Politics in the Third Reich” |
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 It is magnificent! The production values are really stunning. The stock (paper) was just right and the layouts clear and highly effective. And what a beautiful binding. You don’t see much cloth these days. I hate to use the old cliché, but when I got the package and opened it, I put the book down on the piano in my living room and started looking through it – and could not put it down! I stood there for almost two hours just reading it. The picture research is simply stunning. I can only congratulate you on a splendid achievement. And it is obviously a labor of (informed and scholarly) love. - James O’SheaWade, The Independent Editors Group; formerly Executive Editor, Vice President, Crown Publishers /Random House, Inc. |
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 “The story you tell is very intriguing and important, while the photographs are amazing and of such great quality! They truly bring this era to life.” -Henriette Kets de Vries, Dutch art historian and provenance researcher
This book/project is staggeringly wonderful. It is fantabulous! ..Every school ought to have one. I am SO excited about this! As the saying goes...a picture is worth a thousand words. |
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 Dear Mr. Edsel: Thank you so very much for sending me this remarkable book on the recovery of magnificent art stolen during World War II. It will surely give me great joy to read and review these wonderful works of art. - Alexander M. Haig, Jr., former Secretary of the State. Reagan Administration 1981-1982
Robert Edsel has done a masterful job telling the story of a critical chapter in our country’s history, one we are in danger of forgetting too soon or worse, never learning. We can take pride in the accomplishments of the brave men and women during and after World War II who literally rescued the heritage of western civilization. It’s a great adventure and a compelling mystery story. Anyone with service personnel in their history or family will appreciate this extraordinary book, and anyone who appreciates our military men and women will enjoy learning about this previously untold tale of heroism. As a former Secretary of the Navy, I am personally aware of how we are losing veterans daily, and I urge Americans to help in the search to identify and thank the “Monuments” Men who still live. There is still time to honor them. I support Robert’s efforts to put a book in every school library in the country, and I’m confident that school children will be moved and inspired by its tale. - John Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy. Reagan Administration, 1981 – 1987.
The photographs are amazing. It is an excellent way for students to learn not only about art, but also about the history of World War II. I am very impressed by Mr. Edsel's dedication and commitment in bringing to light the important work of the "Monuments Men." This is truly an "untold" story. This is great public diplomacy stuff too. - The Honorable James Nicholson, Washington, D.C.
The pictures are amazing. The loss of art was an important part of the war that hasn’t been mentioned much in history, and your book brings to light the importance of these losses from a historical perspective. - Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas |
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 Thank you so much for the gift of your book, Rescuing Da Vinci. This book is a beautiful tribute to those art historians, museum
directors and curators who had the foresight to preserve as much of the European masterpieces of art as they could under the most difficult and trying
circumstances. - Jean Picker Firstenberg, President and CEO, American Film Institute
Mr. Edsel's book is captivation in several respects, from the graphic, garish reminders of the faces of the great plunderers, to the singular beauty of the art they sought to steal. And it is a high and overdue memorial to the "Monuments Men," who did the herculean job of tracking down and repatriating the great art. - William F. Buckley Jr, a columnist for National Review
I found Robert Edsel's book fascinating - amazing research - extremely interesting especially in light of the present situation in the art market in the United States where "original owners" are turning up faster and faster each month. Edsel was able to probe deeply and find the real story on so many works of art. A remarkable study and enjoyable read. - Roger Horchow, a Broadway producer, author and founder of The Horchow Collection
Robert, your book came in the mail and I thought I would quickly browse through it before I left the house. I NEVER LEFT THE HOUSE! I could not put your book down! I would tell myself “OK. I’ll read ONE more page and then I HAVE to leave. Of course I could not just read one more page or one more chapter. I read the whole book in one sitting. What a great, fascinating story and the photos are beautiful! - Susan, Los Angeles
I thought the book that you wrote was really wonderful. - Talia, New York City
I love the book. I had no idea about the pillaging and plunder of art during WWII. It is a fascinating book. Great photographs!!! - Marigny, Dallas
The book is a genuine achievement. It is a most interesting historical document and a pictorial fest. - Stuart, New York City
I’m amazed (maybe I shouldn’t be) at the photography, detail and amount of research that you put into this. - Bill, Boulder
I am really enjoying it. I always knew what happen over there, but not really what actually happened...if you know what I mean. This really lays it all out. - Mark, Livingston |
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