Saving Mona Lisa

Gerri Chanel's account of how France preserved its art from both the destruction of war and the pillaging of the German occupiers reads like a thriller -- Caroline Moorehead * TLS * Fantastic ... At its best this is a story of the inhabitants of a humiliated country doing all in their power to preserve their nation's cultural heritage ... The black-and-white photographs in this book are worth of an art exhibition in themselves. * Daily Mail * Chanel's history is a work of substance and scholarship that should be part of every art history collection and required reading for anyone who cares about Western civilization. * Booklist (starred review) * A brilliant piece of storytelling explaining how the masterpieces of the Louvre escaped Göring's mantelpiece and Himmler's walls ... This is a grippingly written and meticulously researched contribution to the history of the Second World War. * The Tablet * A compelling true account of the men and women who fought to save France's heritage and a fascinating story of art and intrigue. * France Magazine * This book tells a fascinating story. * Choice *