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W.S. Mahler
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Mick's review
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Le testament d'Elias: Un thriller archéologique (Provenance t. 1) (French Edition):
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W.S. Mahler
rated a book it was amazing
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W.S. Mahler
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Stacey B’s review
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The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller (Provenance Book 1)
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Dear Stacey,
I am glad you liked my book! Best, W.S. " |
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W.S. Mahler
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Stacey B's review
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The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller (Provenance Book 1):
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“Most people associate the Nazis with book burning. Everyone has seen on television or the Internet the Dantesque images of students throwing hundreds of books into the fire in the streets and squares of German cities in the 1930s. True funeral pyres of Western civilization, they were a barbaric prelude to the burning of human beings, exactly as the German poet Heinrich Heine described in a visionary way.
Much less well-known is the meticulous looting carried out by the Nazis in libraries throughout Europe. Prior to my conversation with Albert, I had heard something about it, but was unaware of both the reasons why this massive theft had taken place or of its size. While the theft of a work of art is usually done out of artistic passion or simple greed, what could have driven the Nazis to transport tons of books in train wagons across Europe? And it was not a selective exercise, no—the books were taken in bulk without any sorting. That is, they were removed without prior knowledge of their value.
One particularly striking fact explains the Nazi regime’s interest in Jewish books. According to one of its most influential ideologues, Alfred Rosenberg, it was important for future generations to know the enemy after their final defeat. That is why public and private Jewish libraries were ransacked throughout Europe to fill the shelves of the Institut zur Erforschung der Judenfrage, the Institute for Research on the Jewish Question. In the eyes and most delirious dreams of the Nazis, it was a research institute dedicated to studying a people that was doomed to extinction.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
Much less well-known is the meticulous looting carried out by the Nazis in libraries throughout Europe. Prior to my conversation with Albert, I had heard something about it, but was unaware of both the reasons why this massive theft had taken place or of its size. While the theft of a work of art is usually done out of artistic passion or simple greed, what could have driven the Nazis to transport tons of books in train wagons across Europe? And it was not a selective exercise, no—the books were taken in bulk without any sorting. That is, they were removed without prior knowledge of their value.
One particularly striking fact explains the Nazi regime’s interest in Jewish books. According to one of its most influential ideologues, Alfred Rosenberg, it was important for future generations to know the enemy after their final defeat. That is why public and private Jewish libraries were ransacked throughout Europe to fill the shelves of the Institut zur Erforschung der Judenfrage, the Institute for Research on the Jewish Question. In the eyes and most delirious dreams of the Nazis, it was a research institute dedicated to studying a people that was doomed to extinction.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
“There is something unique that unites the capitals of ancient empires. Just think of Rome, Venice, or Vienna, to give three examples. Once places of immense power and wealth, these great cities fell into decline and were condemned to a sweet irrelevance. Once open, cosmopolitan, and multiethnic, they are now provincial and self-absorbed. Proud of their past but trapped in it. Tourists treat these cities like open-air museums or amusement parks, enjoying the beautiful millenary patina without seeing beyond the surface.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
“Like the hunt for war criminals, the restitution of art stolen during World War II is an uphill battle fought not only in courts of law, but also in national parliaments and even in schools and universities. It is estimated that 650,000 works of art were looted by the Nazis while 100,000 have not yet been returned to their legitimate owners or heirs. Some hang in public museums for the whole world to see, while others are hidden in private collections or used as bargaining chips in dubious commercial transactions.
This uphill battle registers another win every time a painting, sculpture, or book is returned to its legitimate owners, but also by convincing politicians to pass laws that allow such restitution. It is won by investigating the provenance of works that have been exhibited in renowned museums for decades. Above all, it is won by bringing restitution stories to the public’s attention.
Because it is an uphill battle in which the main enemy is oblivion.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
This uphill battle registers another win every time a painting, sculpture, or book is returned to its legitimate owners, but also by convincing politicians to pass laws that allow such restitution. It is won by investigating the provenance of works that have been exhibited in renowned museums for decades. Above all, it is won by bringing restitution stories to the public’s attention.
Because it is an uphill battle in which the main enemy is oblivion.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
“Like the hunt for war criminals, the restitution of art stolen during World War II is an uphill battle fought not only in courts of law, but also in national parliaments and even in schools and universities. It is estimated that 650,000 works of art were looted by the Nazis while 100,000 have not yet been returned to their legitimate owners or heirs. Some hang in public museums for the whole world to see, while others are hidden in private collections or used as bargaining chips in dubious commercial transactions.
This uphill battle registers another win every time a painting, sculpture, or book is returned to its legitimate owners, but also by convincing politicians to pass laws that allow such restitution. It is won by investigating the provenance of works that have been exhibited in renowned museums for decades. Above all, it is won by bringing restitution stories to the public’s attention.
Because it is an uphill battle in which the main enemy is oblivion.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
This uphill battle registers another win every time a painting, sculpture, or book is returned to its legitimate owners, but also by convincing politicians to pass laws that allow such restitution. It is won by investigating the provenance of works that have been exhibited in renowned museums for decades. Above all, it is won by bringing restitution stories to the public’s attention.
Because it is an uphill battle in which the main enemy is oblivion.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
“There is something unique that unites the capitals of ancient empires. Just think of Rome, Venice, or Vienna, to give three examples. Once places of immense power and wealth, these great cities fell into decline and were condemned to a sweet irrelevance. Once open, cosmopolitan, and multiethnic, they are now provincial and self-absorbed. Proud of their past but trapped in it. Tourists treat these cities like open-air museums or amusement parks, enjoying the beautiful millenary patina without seeing beyond the surface.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
“Most people associate the Nazis with book burning. Everyone has seen on television or the Internet the Dantesque images of students throwing hundreds of books into the fire in the streets and squares of German cities in the 1930s. True funeral pyres of Western civilization, they were a barbaric prelude to the burning of human beings, exactly as the German poet Heinrich Heine described in a visionary way.
Much less well-known is the meticulous looting carried out by the Nazis in libraries throughout Europe. Prior to my conversation with Albert, I had heard something about it, but was unaware of both the reasons why this massive theft had taken place or of its size. While the theft of a work of art is usually done out of artistic passion or simple greed, what could have driven the Nazis to transport tons of books in train wagons across Europe? And it was not a selective exercise, no—the books were taken in bulk without any sorting. That is, they were removed without prior knowledge of their value.
One particularly striking fact explains the Nazi regime’s interest in Jewish books. According to one of its most influential ideologues, Alfred Rosenberg, it was important for future generations to know the enemy after their final defeat. That is why public and private Jewish libraries were ransacked throughout Europe to fill the shelves of the Institut zur Erforschung der Judenfrage, the Institute for Research on the Jewish Question. In the eyes and most delirious dreams of the Nazis, it was a research institute dedicated to studying a people that was doomed to extinction.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
Much less well-known is the meticulous looting carried out by the Nazis in libraries throughout Europe. Prior to my conversation with Albert, I had heard something about it, but was unaware of both the reasons why this massive theft had taken place or of its size. While the theft of a work of art is usually done out of artistic passion or simple greed, what could have driven the Nazis to transport tons of books in train wagons across Europe? And it was not a selective exercise, no—the books were taken in bulk without any sorting. That is, they were removed without prior knowledge of their value.
One particularly striking fact explains the Nazi regime’s interest in Jewish books. According to one of its most influential ideologues, Alfred Rosenberg, it was important for future generations to know the enemy after their final defeat. That is why public and private Jewish libraries were ransacked throughout Europe to fill the shelves of the Institut zur Erforschung der Judenfrage, the Institute for Research on the Jewish Question. In the eyes and most delirious dreams of the Nazis, it was a research institute dedicated to studying a people that was doomed to extinction.”
― The Testament of Elias: An Archaeological Thriller
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