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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
3.5 it was a fine book. I enjoyed the new stories of art heists I haven’t heard of yet and the ones that I did know about were told well. As someone pretty new to learning about the art world a whole book dedicated to Rembrandts stolen works was interesting even though sometimes it wasn’t the most exciting.
informative
medium-paced
I really like books about heists (and how they got away with it), like in Willie Sutton's memoirs or Sex on the Moon, but a lot of the stories recounted here seem to be about sheer dumb luck..!
A fascinating look at the attempts largely in the 20th century to steal Rembrandts, well-told by the authors in this highly readable book. It appears that there have been many successful thefts of these artworks, but few successful resales; after all, the works are so famous, the heists grab so much attention, it becomes impossible to fence the paintings. An interesting read.
I have been a fan of art and art history since taking an art history class in high school. I have enjoyed reading novels based on the life of artists or works that they created, however this is the first book I have read about art heists. Art theft is extremely common, much more so that I had thought – apparently enough art is stolen to warrant an FBI art crime team! Stealing Rembrandts looks at some of the major art heists that have involved at least one work by Rembrandt as one of the victims. Rembrandt was a prolific artist and engraver/printmaker thus there are a greater number of his works on the market just waiting for an enterprising thief.
Despite the short length of this book it was packed with information. I think the fact that the authors both have written for newspapers keep their writing concise and brimming with facts. Anthony Amore is the Director of Security for the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, which was one of the sites of a notorious art theft that has yet to be solved. Tom Mashberg has written numerous articles about the Gardner Museum theft as well. The knowledge that they have between them regarding art crime is extensive. I cannot believe just how easy it can be for art to be stolen. When I think of art theft I think in the dead of night with all sorts of devices to get past – laser beams, alarms, guards etc. But the reality is that museums and private homes are notoriously under secure and many art thefts happen during the daylight hours. The statistics and methods of theft were absolutely shocking to me.
Each chapter of the book focuses on a different art heist – with a look at theft from private homes as well as galleries, both here in the USA and abroad. Some of the thefts are quite ridiculous and others are so well thought out. The authors even interviewed a man who has been involved in numerous art thefts, including one that is chronicled in this book – so you really get into the mind of the thief. Besides information on the actual thefts you get background on Rembrandt himself, his times, various of his works that were stolen, as well as other aspects of art history. It was a quick, entertaining, and enlightening peek into the world of art theft.
This review was previously posted @ The Maiden's Court. Was received from the Amazon Vine Program in exchange for an honest review.
Despite the short length of this book it was packed with information. I think the fact that the authors both have written for newspapers keep their writing concise and brimming with facts. Anthony Amore is the Director of Security for the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, which was one of the sites of a notorious art theft that has yet to be solved. Tom Mashberg has written numerous articles about the Gardner Museum theft as well. The knowledge that they have between them regarding art crime is extensive. I cannot believe just how easy it can be for art to be stolen. When I think of art theft I think in the dead of night with all sorts of devices to get past – laser beams, alarms, guards etc. But the reality is that museums and private homes are notoriously under secure and many art thefts happen during the daylight hours. The statistics and methods of theft were absolutely shocking to me.
Each chapter of the book focuses on a different art heist – with a look at theft from private homes as well as galleries, both here in the USA and abroad. Some of the thefts are quite ridiculous and others are so well thought out. The authors even interviewed a man who has been involved in numerous art thefts, including one that is chronicled in this book – so you really get into the mind of the thief. Besides information on the actual thefts you get background on Rembrandt himself, his times, various of his works that were stolen, as well as other aspects of art history. It was a quick, entertaining, and enlightening peek into the world of art theft.
This review was previously posted @ The Maiden's Court. Was received from the Amazon Vine Program in exchange for an honest review.
Despite some awful editing (I feel like the editor just put the final draft through MS Word, and didn't actually read it!), the book was really enjoyable. I learned A LOT about Rembrandt and his life, which was unexpected, but not very much about the ISG heist, which was unexpected. However, I understand now why the authors chose not to devote much book to the Gardner Museum fiasco, since there really isn't much of a story to tell until (someday!) those lost items are recovered. Otherwise, though, the book was pretty fascinating. I learned so much about how things are stolen and how so much artwork has been lucky enough to be returned to the proper (caretaking) hands. I also LOVED how the book interspersed their heist stories with tidbits about how Rembrandt lived and drew some pretty great parallels; I felt like I was able to pick up so much and I really appreciate the great master now, more than I ever did before. -- It's no wonder his works are valued at so much, and are constantly being stolen!
P.S. Another review also reminded me of this: I felt that pieces of the book did all too often meld in together; I would be hard-pressed to distinguish one heist from another; even while reading the book, I would get confused and forget which one I was reading about! That got annoying. And sometimes I felt like the book could have used a cold reader, someone unfamiliar with the work (like me), because often the authors would reference things which I felt I had already forgotten, and they should have craftily reminded me who so-and-so was. That is why I found myself at times getting frustrated with an otherwise good book and great premise (and hence the 3 stars), and also why sometimes it felt like I was slogging through even such a short book. Luckily I didn't feel like that often, though.
P.S. Another review also reminded me of this: I felt that pieces of the book did all too often meld in together; I would be hard-pressed to distinguish one heist from another; even while reading the book, I would get confused and forget which one I was reading about! That got annoying. And sometimes I felt like the book could have used a cold reader, someone unfamiliar with the work (like me), because often the authors would reference things which I felt I had already forgotten, and they should have craftily reminded me who so-and-so was. That is why I found myself at times getting frustrated with an otherwise good book and great premise (and hence the 3 stars), and also why sometimes it felt like I was slogging through even such a short book. Luckily I didn't feel like that often, though.
Whoo, I think I've had enough of reading about art crime for a while. This book's real savior is the way that Amore effortlessly blends the stories of art heists with bits about Rembrandt's life. Other than that, the stories it reports (the Gardner heist that everyone and their cat knows about, etc.) aren't particularly "untold" at all. That's not to say that the book is bad, if you don't know anything about art heists it may well be a good place to start, but if you've read a bunch of them in a row like I have, this one doesn't offer much that is new. Call it a B+
the writing is inconsistent, but the stories are interesting. i wish the author had delved more into WHY so many rembrandts are stolen, beyond the fact that the man was a prolific artist.
Good tales--though as one of the authors says, more Coen Bros. than Thomas Crowne--with nicely interspersed details about Rembrandt's life and work. A bit repetitive at times with one stand out wrong detail (a Rembrandt acquired by a courtier of Henry VIII? Not without the Doctor's help).
I've always wondered about museum security, so I'm going to be paying extra attention next time I visit one.
I wish there were a few more details about Amore's confidence he will get the Gardner paintings back...
I've always wondered about museum security, so I'm going to be paying extra attention next time I visit one.
I wish there were a few more details about Amore's confidence he will get the Gardner paintings back...
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced