Super Short Summary

The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel (with Bret Witter) details the efforts of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) division between 1943 and 1951 to recover art and cultural treasures stolen by the Nazis during WWII. The book follows Allied troops, highlighting nine Monuments Men and a civilian woman who safeguarded and tracked down invaluable items across Europe, focusing on the period from June 1944 to May 1945. The Nazis stole and sought to destroy cultural pieces, while the Monuments Men risked their lives to preserve heritage, securing buildings and collaborating with civilians to outsmart their adversaries. The MFAA's dedication underscored the true worth of art, contrasting with the Nazis' view of art as mere status symbols.