Hitler's art thief Hildebrand Gurlitt, the Nazis, and the looting of Europe's treasures

The subtitle sounds like the ingredients of a juicy thriller, but Ronald (Heretic Queen, 2012) instead serves up a true tale of greed, corruption, and ill-gotten works of art. Set against a background of German history from just before WWI until just after WWII, this is the story of a man who not only stole art works for the Nazis but stole from them, as well. The Gurlitts were fans of the avant-garde, whose art was considered degenerate by Hitler and his minions. When such works were confiscated, they were usually destroyed. But when Hildebrand Gurlitt was involved, he saved them and built an impressive collection of his own. This is the backstory to the 2013 discovery of more than 1,400 looted artworks in a Munich apartment owned by Hurlitt's son, Cornelius. Art and history buffs alike will enjoy this compelling narrative and appreciate the impeccable research behind it.--Mulac, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist

In 2013, more than 1,400 pieces of art were discovered in the modest Munich apartment of 80-year-old Cornelius Gurlitt, son of Hitler's "art dealer" Hildebrand Gurlitt. The art was valued at more than $1.35 billion, but to the reclusive Cornelius, they weren't just paintings-they were "friends." For victims of the greatest art heist in history, however, they were stolen tokens of the Third Reich. Ronald (The Pirate Queen) provides a remarkably comprehensive telling of the Nazi's massive looting of treasured artworks and the pivotal role the Gurlitts played. Although considered Hitler's art dealer, Hildebrand is best described in the book's title. Ronald's narrative follows -Hildebrand from student to thief and eventually finds its end in Cornelius's mysterious apartment. VERDICT There are countless works related to Nazi Germany, but Ronald's account provides an additional layer of knowledge that's worth adding to your collection. Readers will gain a larger understanding of how art threads through society, what it means when those threads are unraveled, and the tragic effects of having your culture stolen and repurposed. They aren't just paintings, indeed. [See Prepub Alert, 4/20/15.]-Erin Entrada Kelly, Philadelphia © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.