Why read Saving Italy?

Book cover of Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation's Treasures from the Nazis

Book description

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.

On the eve of the…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Saving Italy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Teresa Fava Thomas

Author

Edsel tells the very dramatic story of how Allied art experts, known as the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) or Monuments Men, raced through Italy to rescue art masterpieces and to secure endangered monuments during the Nazi retreat in 1944. A special focus on the cities of Naples, Rome, Florence, and Pisa’s treasures.

I was especially fascinated by the story of Frederick Hartt, who loved Florentine art and risked his life to reach the city then pursued the lost artworks in a race across Italy into Austria to return them. Many of the artworks the Monuments Men saved are…

From Teresa's 3 favorite reads in 2023.