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

Robert M. Edsel recreates the final years of World War II in Italy through the efforts of two Monuments Men, Deane Keller and Fred Hartt. These American officers worked behind front lines to protect Renaissance architecture and recover looted masterpieces. The narrative follows their movement from the Allied landings in Sicily up the Italian peninsula as they navigated the destruction of Monte Cassino and the strategic flooding of various galleries. They raced against German forces, specifically the SS, who aimed to relocate national treasures like Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Primavera to Germany.

This account is suited for readers interested in the intersection of military logistics and art preservation. It provides a detailed look at how cultural heritage survives during total war. Readers gain an understanding of the specific bureaucratic and physical challenges involved in identifying, documenting, and transporting fragile artifacts under fire. The book offers a clear perspective on the collaborative process between military commanders and curators to prevent the total loss of Mediterranean cultural history during the Nazi occupation and the subsequent Allied advance.