Although most people found Robert Edsel’s account of the actions of the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives program (better known as the “Monuments Men”) in Italy during WWII fascinating, I found it an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotion. To read about the close calls, direct hits, last minute saves and unavoidable catastrophes involving monuments and works of art that I know so well and love so much was both harrowing and inspirational. To learn how close the world came to losing some of its most precious art due to the barbarous acts of little men, and how instead so much of it was saved due to the courageous and selfless acts of giants is indeed a story that should always be remembered.