Books to read before they hit Indian theatres in 2014

Books to read before they hit Indian theatres in 2014

MUMBAI: Here’s the review of the eighth book in the 10-part series that features books being adapted into Hollywood movies in 2014.

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History – Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter

The Nazis pulled off the greatest art heist in history. These guys are stealing it back!

Edsel’s historical biography of an ‘untold true story’ takes place during the World War II when the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler was attempting to take over the western world. At the same time, his armies were methodically seeking and hoarding the finest art treasures in Europe. The Fuehrer had begun cataloguing the art he planned to collect as well as the art he would destroy, the "degenerate" works that he despised. The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History stands at 3.79/5 of 6,477 ratings on Goodreads.

In a race against time, eight men in the forward operating theatre of the newly created Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section (MFAA), also known as The Monuments Men risk their lives scouring Europe to prevent the destruction of thousands of years of culture. The Monuments Men is the story of their lives when they are tasked with entering Germany with the Allied forces during the closing stages of World War II to rescue artworks plundered by the Nazis, saving them from destruction or damage, and returning them to their rightful owners. They consist of America's top art conservator; an up-and-coming young museum curator; a sculptor; a straight-arrow architect; a gay New York cultural impresario; and an infantry private with no prior knowledge of or appreciation for art, but first-hand experience as a victim of the Nazi regime.

The live action motion picture adaptation of The Monuments Men boasts a stellar cast lead by Academy Award winner George Clooney (Gravity), who’s also helmed the film, Academy Award winner Matt Damon (Behind the Candelabra), Golden Globe Award winner Bill Murray (Lost in Translation), Golden Globe award winner John Goodman (Argo), Academy Award winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Screen Actors Guild Award winner Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) with Academy Award nominee Bob Balaban (Gosford Park) and Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine).

The Monuments Men hits Indian theaters 7 February.