On December 29, 1943, General Dwight D. Eisenhower sent an order to all Allied commanders, “Today we are fighting in a country which has contributed a great deal to our cultural inheritance, a country rich in monuments which by their creation helped…the growth of civilization which is ours. We are bound to respect those monuments so far as war allows.” This was a lesson sadly learned after Allied Forces had bombed several culturally significant buildings throughout Europe. To repair their mistakes, the Monuments Men division was established to have art experts on the front lines protecting architecture, monuments, artwork, and archives from the ravages of war. But the scope of the Monuments Men’s work exploded as they tackled the Nazi’s strategic plundering for Adolf Hitler’s Führermuseum, Hermann Göring’s artwork obsession, and for eliminating the Jews’ existence in Europe. Edsel’s book is a young readers version of his New York Times best-selling novel, The Monuments Men. Edsel composes a well-documented and visually abundant story that breathes life into this little-known excerpt in history. At the beginning of the book, readers are introduced to key Monuments Men and major Nazi leaders, all listed with their photographs, a small biography, and their locations during World War II. Also included are maps showing the movements and discoveries made by the Monuments Men. Filled with impactful visual aids, Edsel’s story places young readers right alongside these heroic men and women as they fight to save Europe’s history from the greedy hands of Nazi invaders. For young readers unfamiliar with terms of the period, Edsel includes a helpful glossary near the end of his book. A fascinating read sure to develop a deeper love of history and a richer appreciation for the arts. Appropriate for ages 14 and up.
