"...In a race against time, a group of American and British museum directors, curators, art historians, and others--called the Monuments Men--risked their lives scouring Europe to prevent the destruction of thousands of years of culture. Focusing on the period between D-Day and V-E Day, this acclaimed book follows six Monument Men on their impossible mission to save the world's great art from the Nazis."-- Provided by the publisher.

Originally published: New York : Center Street, c2009.

pt. I. The mission : Out of Germany ; Hitler's dream ; The call to arms ; A dull and empty world ; Leptis magna ; The first campaign ; Monte Cassino ; Monuments, fine arts, and archives ; The task -- pt. II. Northern Europe : Winning respect ; A meeting in the field ; Michaelangelo's Madonna ; The cathedral and the masterpiece ; Van Eyck's Mystic Lamb ; James Rorimer visits the Louvre ; Entering Germany ; A field trip ; Tapestry ; Christmas wishes ; The Madonna of La Gleize ; The train ; The Bulge ; Champagne -- pt. III. Germany : A German Jew in the U.S. Army ; Coming through the battle ; The new monuments man ; George Stout with his maps ; Art on the move ; Two turning points ; Hitler's Nero decree ; First army across the Rhine ; Treasure map ; Frustration ; Inside the mountain ; Lost ; A week to remember -- pt. IV. The void : Salt ; Horror ; The Gauleiter ; The battered mine ; Last birthday ; Plans ; The noose ; Discoveries ; The noose tightens ; The race ; Final days ; The translator ; The sound of music ; End of the road -- pt. V. The aftermath : Understanding Altaussee ; Evacuation ; The journey home ; Heroes of civilization ; What is your connection to the story?