Robert Edsel's Blog
November 10th, 2010 | 1:36 pm
Yesterday marked the 72nd anniversary of Kristallnacht, an evening in Germany when hundreds of synagogues were burned, thousands of shops destroyed, and many lives lost. Nazi Germany’s attack on its Jewish population was fully underway and in the open for all to see. Theft of their belongings, imprisonment, and mass murder, under the most gruesome and inhumane of circumstances, ensued.
While these horrific events took place in Germany, the lessons we should never forget are universal and lasting. We ignore them at our own peril as a civilization. Anytime one person or one race preaches superiority at the expense of others, warning bells should sound.
We must therefore consider the fall of the Berlin wall 21 years ago an astounding moment of progress in modern civilization. What a remarkable achievement that the end of the Cold War came with a spontaneous celebration, not the sound of gunfire or artillery. It took a long time for this portion of World War II to come to its natural conclusion, but the moment did come. It should never be overlooked, as a triumph for freedom, and a victory for a more hopeful Germany as a nation.
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November 10th, 2010 | 1:25 pm
(AP – A photographer takes a picture of the sculpture Portrait of Anni Mewes from 1921 by German artist Edwin Scharff during a press conference of so called ‘degenerate’ art in Berlin on Monday, November 8, 2010.)
Yesterday’s announcement of the discovery of works of art long thought to be destroyed by the Nazis once again proves one of the central tenants of the work of the Monuments Men Foundation: hundreds of thousands of works of art and more than a million cultural objects stolen by the Nazis, many taken as souvenirs after the war, remain missing. With the passing of World War II soldiers and displaced persons, the frequency of such discoveries is increasing significantly.
In this particular somewhat strange incident, works of art considered "degenerate" by the Nazi policies, normally destined to be destroyed, traded or sold, were discovered during excavations near Berlin’s city hall. Finding missing objects in this matter won’t be the only such occurrence, but far more likely will be the heirs of veterans and others who lived in Europe during the war discovering long sought items hanging on their walls, in attics and basements. By engaging the public and enlisting their help the Monuments Men Foundation not only honors the legacy of the men and women who, from 1945-1951 located and returned more than 5 million cultural items to the countries from which they were stolen, but also is "completing the mission" they so remarkably began some 67 years ago.
(AP – Sculpture Portrait of Anni Mewes from 1921 by German artist Edwin Scharff)
If you or someone you know has an object – a painting, drawing, book, document, musical manuscript – of unknown origin, perhaps an item innocently brought home after the war by a soldier seeking a souvenir, please contact the Monuments Men Foundation and let us assist you in identifying the object and where appropriate, assist in its return to the rightful owner.
Below is the link to the news of this remarkable find:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101108/ap_on_en_ot/eu_germany_degenerate_art
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October 28th, 2010 | 5:05 pm
Event: Ruth Pauley Lecture Series
Date: Tuesday, November 2nd at 7:30pm
Admission: Open to the Public and Free. Book Signing Following Event.
Location: Owens Auditorium at Sandhills Community College
Address:
3395 Airport Road
Pinehurst, NC 28374-8778
(910) 692-6185
Click Here for Directions
Description:
As Hitler was attempting to conquer the western world, his armies were methodically pillaging the finest art in Europe, from Michelangelo and Da Vinci to Van Eycks and Vermeers, all stolen for the Führer. The Monuments Men had a mandate from President Roosevelt and the support of General Eisenhower to try to recover these treasures, but were given no resources or real authority. In a race against time, each man gathered scraps and hints to construct his own treasure map . Robert M. Edsel is the author of the non-fiction book, Rescuing Da Vinci and also The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History. He is widely recognized as a leading authority on the history of the Nazis looting of Europe during World War II and the efforts of the Monuments Men to recover these lost treasures.
Click Here for More Details
Posted in Amazing Stories, Finding the Monuments Men, General, History, Monuments Men, Monuments Men Book, Monuments Men Foundation | No Comments »
October 20th, 2010 | 2:55 pm
Dear Supporters,
To continue celebrating the release of The Monuments Men paperback edition, we are having a book giveaway contest. Here is how you enter to win your free copy of The Monuments Men:
1. Go to our blog www.monumentsmen.com/blog
2. Under the comment section leave your favorite Monuments Men story or your favorite WWII story. One story will win every day for the next two weeks!
It is that simple. Please share your stories with us for a chance to win.
Thanks,
Robert Edsel
Posted in Amazing Stories, Art, General, Help Wanted, History, Military, Missing Works of Art and Other Property, Monuments Men, Monuments Men Book, Monuments Men Foundation, Restitutions, Robert Edsel, The Rape of Europa, World War II | 4 Comments »
October 19th, 2010 | 2:26 pm
Robert Edsel will be talking at the National Archives about The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History.
The lecture and book signing starts on Wednesday, October 20 at 7 p.m. at the William G. McGowan Theater in Washington, D.C and FREE ADMISSION .
Beyond the familiar history lessons of World War II is an untold story of a Nazi plot to seize the world’s greatest cultural treasures — a plot thwarted by one tiny band of soldiers, detailed in The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History. The National Archives Experience, in partnership with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, welcomes author Robert M. Edsel, who will discuss a story that remains relevant as irreplaceable historical artifacts are still missing, and restoration, search, and discovery continue.
A Book signing will follow the program. Books will be available for purchase at a 15% discount. Books may also be pre-purchased from the Archives Shop by calling 202-357-5271.
National Archives Experience,
Special Events Entrance
Constitution Avenue, NW (between 7th & 9th St.)
Washington, D.C., 20408
Click Here for Directions
Click Here for More Information
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September 21st, 2010 | 10:15 am
Twitter Contest!
To help promote the release of the paperback edition, we are having a contest. The winners will receive free copies of the Monuments Men book. We will choose a winner everyday for two weeks.
How to Enter
1. Connect with Robert on Twitter
2. Follow Robert on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/robertedsel
3. Twitter Users – Post this EXACT message to your Twitter account:
I just entered to win The Monuments Men by @robertedsel! Details at http://www.monumentsmen.com/blog #monumentsmen
That’s all there is to it. It’s that simple! Once you have posted this message you entered to win a free copy of the newly released book: The Monuments Men (paperback edition)!!!
Good Luck and Tweet Away!
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September 17th, 2010 | 9:43 am
The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert Edsel is now available in paperback nationwide. The book is available for purchase at Amazon, BarnesandNoble.com, and in bookstores across the country. This is a convenient way to enjoy the fascinating story about the historical achievement of a small group of Allied soldiers, called the "Monuments Men" who helped save and protect the priceless cultural treasures of Europe from Hitler and the Nazis during World War II. This book makes a great gift for any book enthusiasts from history buffs to romantics.
Enjoy!
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August 15th, 2010 | 2:19 pm
President Truman informs reporters of Japan’s surrender at a pres conference in the Oval Office. August 14, 1945.
(photo courtesy of Times Life)
Japan acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration calling for their unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945 (August 14 in the United States) marked the end of World War II, three years, eight months, and seven days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. While the official signing of the surrender took place on September 2, 1945 aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, victory was celebrated in the United States, Britain, and Australia with a two day holiday beginning on August 15. Soldiers and civilians alike rejoiced in the streets of cities across the United States and Europe. When the announcement came at 3 a.m. in Hawaii, every ship in Pearl Harbor set off its store of rockets.
Amidst the celebrations, the gravity of the situation was not to be forgotten. King George VI addressed the British people from Buckingham Palace, saying:
“Our hearts are full to overflowing, as are your own. Yet there is not one of us who has experienced this terrible war who does not realize that we shall feel its inevitable consequences long after we have all forgotten our rejoicing today.”
These consequences are still felt today. Of the almost 300,000 American combat deaths during World War II, more than one-third occurred in the Asia-Pacific Theater. This “Victory in Japan” Day should serve not only as a day to remember the final Allied victory, but also as a day to remember those who so nobly lost their lives fighting and winning the war in the Pacific Theater.
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August 14th, 2010 | 10:16 am
Waterloo Daily Courier, August 14, 1945. (Photo Courtesy of Robert M. Edsel Collection.)
Sixty-five years ago this was but one of the newspaper headlines as the world awoke to read about the end of World War II. Victory in Japan, “V-J” Day, August 15, 1945.
Japan’s acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration calling for its unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945 (August 14 in the United States) marked the end of World War II, three years, eight months, and seven days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. While the official signing of the surrender took place on September 2, 1945 aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, victory was celebrated in the United States, Britain, and Australia with a two day holiday beginning on August 15. Soldiers and civilians alike rejoiced in the streets of cities across the United States and Europe. When the announcement came at 3 a.m. in Hawaii, every ship in Pearl Harbor set off its store of rockets.
President Truman informs reporters of Japan’s surrender at a press conference in the Oval Office. August 14, 1945. (Photo Courtesy of Time Life)
Amidst the celebrations, the gravity of the situation was not to be forgotten. King George VI addressed the British people from Buckingham Palace, saying:
“Our hearts are full to overflowing, as are your own. Yet there is not one of us who has experienced this terrible war who does not realize that we shall feel its inevitable consequences long after we have all forgotten our rejoicing today.”
These consequences are still felt today. Of the almost 300,000 American combat deaths during World War II, more than one-third occurred in the Asia-Pacific Theater. This “Victory in Japan” Day should serve not only as a day to remember the final Allied victory, but also as a day to remember those who so nobly lost their lives fighting and winning the war in the Pacific Theater.
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August 11th, 2010 | 5:17 pm
Ted Stevens, who served as a United States Senator representing Alaska for more than 40 years, was killed in a plane crash yesterday. He was the longest serving Republican senator in history. This was, however, only his most recent service to a nation he loved which included senior positions in the Eisenhower Administration, a key role in work that led to the establishment of the United States Olympic Committee, and numerous positions representing Alaska in various oil and gas and conservation issues.
But we remember this remarkable American for his service to the United States during World War ll as a member of the “Greatest Generation”. After being rejected for service in the Navy for failing the vision exam, he overcame the problem through a course of prescribed eye exercises. A top student in the Army Air Force program, Stevens subsequently received his wings in 1944 and served in the China-Burma-India theater where he piloted transport planes. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross among other citations for his heroic service. Senator Lisa Murkowski stated yesterday: “His entire life was dedicated to public service—from his days as a pilot in World War ll to his four decades of service in the United States Senate. He truly was the greatest of the “Greatest Generation”.
Over the years Senator Stevens was a steadfast supporter of The National World War ll Museum in New Orleans. In late spring 2007, as our work to garner support of key senators and members of the House of Representatives was at a critical phase, Senator Stevens emphatically endorsed our efforts. A copy of his letter to me follows.
The Monuments Men Foundation mourns the loss of this public servant and veteran of the greatest war in history. We extend our condolences to his family and friends.
Posted in Amazing Stories, General, History, Media, Military, Monuments Men, Monuments Men Foundation | No Comments »
