Scan barcode
indihannajones0224's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
manoushp109's review against another edition
3.0
i’ve never been so frustrated w a freak. but also i kinda get it.
youngling80's review
informative
4.0
An absorbing account of one of the most prolific art thieves in history, how he managed to steal at least 239 artworks and other exhibits from 172 museums, and how it all came crashing down. This is me after reading this book ... 😳. I have so many thoughts ...
1. How it this even possible? (that he was able to steal such a vast quantity of art and historical artifacts without getting caught) I mean, the book tells me how this was actually possible, but this utterly baffles me ... that there are profound works of art and history on display with little to no security measures.
2. It is such a struggle for me to reconcile the mindset of this thief, who seemingly steals because of his great appreciation for art ... yet fails to properly care for said art. While he may have started out stealing because of the joy that the art itself inspired, it is clear that at some point, he became addicted to the act of stealing itself.
3. I am broken hearted that 80+ pieces of art/history are left unaccounted and likely destroyed in a feeble attempt to prevent his imprisonment. What a waste.
4. It is tragic that this man never had someone in his life tell him, "No. You can't do this. You have to take responsibility for your actions." And when it finally did happen, it seems to have been far too late in his life to make a difference. Parents, this is why you discipline your children. This is why you don't give them everything they want. This is why you teach them to work and take responsibility for their actions. This is why you don't enable bad character and poor decision-making.
5. To me, this is a cautionary tale of indulging selfishness in one's (or another's) life. Here's a man who, for all intents and purposes, was utterly indulged and spoiled. With an absent father, a mother who would do anything for her son, grandparents who financially supported his unwillingness to consistently work, a girlfriend who wouldn't say no ... he was allowed to languish in adulthood. He was never expected to behave as an adult, and thus, never did. He chose to indulge himself and his own desires first in all things. And what did that lead to? ... it's a sad, sad tale ending in loneliness and devastation. One can only hope that at rock-bottom, this man might embrace some humility, take responsibility for his actions, and work toward genuine change in his character.
1. How it this even possible? (that he was able to steal such a vast quantity of art and historical artifacts without getting caught) I mean, the book tells me how this was actually possible, but this utterly baffles me ... that there are profound works of art and history on display with little to no security measures.
2. It is such a struggle for me to reconcile the mindset of this thief, who seemingly steals because of his great appreciation for art ... yet fails to properly care for said art. While he may have started out stealing because of the joy that the art itself inspired, it is clear that at some point, he became addicted to the act of stealing itself.
3. I am broken hearted that 80+ pieces of art/history are left unaccounted and likely destroyed in a feeble attempt to prevent his imprisonment. What a waste.
4. It is tragic that this man never had someone in his life tell him, "No. You can't do this. You have to take responsibility for your actions." And when it finally did happen, it seems to have been far too late in his life to make a difference. Parents, this is why you discipline your children. This is why you don't give them everything they want. This is why you teach them to work and take responsibility for their actions. This is why you don't enable bad character and poor decision-making.
5. To me, this is a cautionary tale of indulging selfishness in one's (or another's) life. Here's a man who, for all intents and purposes, was utterly indulged and spoiled. With an absent father, a mother who would do anything for her son, grandparents who financially supported his unwillingness to consistently work, a girlfriend who wouldn't say no ... he was allowed to languish in adulthood. He was never expected to behave as an adult, and thus, never did. He chose to indulge himself and his own desires first in all things. And what did that lead to? ... it's a sad, sad tale ending in loneliness and devastation. One can only hope that at rock-bottom, this man might embrace some humility, take responsibility for his actions, and work toward genuine change in his character.
slawler's review
4.0
This true story was so simply and well- written that the narrative flowed like fiction. The ending was a little heartbreaking. Looking forward to discussing with my book group!
saphiraas's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.0
4 stars!
This was a fascinating, true crime novel about the world's most prolific art thiefs in history, Stéphane Breitwieser. He was obsessed with possessing beautiful, priceless works of art regardless of the cost. I love how Finkel told the story slowly, starting with Breitwieser's first theft, which he did on a whim with his girlfriend Anne Catherine, all the way to him being a klepomaniac with an insatiable hunger for collecting more and more stolen art objects in his mom's attic.
I couldn't believe how prolific this guy was. Him and his girlfriend would literally steal every weekend at different museums, across different countries and hide everything on display in his mother's attic. He, with the help of Anne-Catherine, stole over 239 artworks from 172 museums while traveling around Europe, an average of one theft every 15 days. They would even steal multiple times per day! INSANEEE!!
This book was short and to the point, which I enjoyed. And it also didn't offer too much moral judgement over Breitwisers actions. Finkel told the story of this criminal with objectivity and humanity and let the reader draw their own conclusions regarding the motives of Breitweiser's actions, as well as the complicity of his girlfriend and mother.
You can clearly tell Finkel poured lots of time and research into this story and wanted to do it justice. The attention to detail is what really makes this book shine. It feels like you're right there, stuffing priceless paintings into your trousers with Breitweiser and on the look out for guards with Anne Catherine.
It was so weird reading this book, because part of you is rooting for Brietweisier and hoping him and Anne Catherine don't get caught, since he is the protagonist of the story and we are kinda inside his brain and hearing all his justifications for stealing artwork. His justifications include: almost artwork in museums has been stolen from one time or person (lowkey true), he is a caretaker for the works he steals and treats them with the utmost tenderness, he is not a common criminal, he steals for aesthetics not monetary gain, he his a true appreciator of art unlike others and therefore deserves the work to hang in his room, the museum doesn't provide the proper aesthetic conditions for truly appreciating a work of art.
At the same time, while reading this book and hearing Breitweiser's justifications, you want him to see justice and be punished. It doesn't seem fair that he gets to be the only one to appreciate these artworks that he stolen which should belong to the public for viewer and appreciation.
It was also really fascinating to hear that by the end, Breitweiser had become a hoarder, amassing so many works, he was stuffing them under the bed and accidentally breaking other ones that were overcrowding the attic. How can one possibly appreciate so much art when it is a crowded mess?
In the end, it seems like Breitweiser is a kleptomaniac who, yes deeply appreciates art, but also was addicted to the thrill of stealing and getting away with such difficult crimes in broad daylight, something he was clearly good at with Anne Catherine's help. I was also surprised by how light his prison sentences were? For a repeat offender and such a prolific criminal with little remorse it seems he barely did any time behind bars.
In conclusion, this was a fascinating peak into the mind and life of the world's most prolific art thief. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in true crime stories or art history.
"Crime works best, not with overpowering force but when nobody knows it’s being committed."
“It isn’t action, he suspects, that usually lands a thief in prison. It’s hesitation.”
"Art signals our freedom. It exists because we’ve won the evolutionary war."
This was a fascinating, true crime novel about the world's most prolific art thiefs in history, Stéphane Breitwieser. He was obsessed with possessing beautiful, priceless works of art regardless of the cost. I love how Finkel told the story slowly, starting with Breitwieser's first theft, which he did on a whim with his girlfriend Anne Catherine, all the way to him being a klepomaniac with an insatiable hunger for collecting more and more stolen art objects in his mom's attic.
I couldn't believe how prolific this guy was. Him and his girlfriend would literally steal every weekend at different museums, across different countries and hide everything on display in his mother's attic. He, with the help of Anne-Catherine, stole over 239 artworks from 172 museums while traveling around Europe, an average of one theft every 15 days. They would even steal multiple times per day! INSANEEE!!
This book was short and to the point, which I enjoyed. And it also didn't offer too much moral judgement over Breitwisers actions. Finkel told the story of this criminal with objectivity and humanity and let the reader draw their own conclusions regarding the motives of Breitweiser's actions, as well as the complicity of his girlfriend and mother.
You can clearly tell Finkel poured lots of time and research into this story and wanted to do it justice. The attention to detail is what really makes this book shine. It feels like you're right there, stuffing priceless paintings into your trousers with Breitweiser and on the look out for guards with Anne Catherine.
It was so weird reading this book, because part of you is rooting for Brietweisier and hoping him and Anne Catherine don't get caught, since he is the protagonist of the story and we are kinda inside his brain and hearing all his justifications for stealing artwork. His justifications include: almost artwork in museums has been stolen from one time or person (lowkey true), he is a caretaker for the works he steals and treats them with the utmost tenderness, he is not a common criminal, he steals for aesthetics not monetary gain, he his a true appreciator of art unlike others and therefore deserves the work to hang in his room, the museum doesn't provide the proper aesthetic conditions for truly appreciating a work of art.
At the same time, while reading this book and hearing Breitweiser's justifications, you want him to see justice and be punished. It doesn't seem fair that he gets to be the only one to appreciate these artworks that he stolen which should belong to the public for viewer and appreciation.
In the end, it seems like Breitweiser is a kleptomaniac who, yes deeply appreciates art, but also was addicted to the thrill of stealing and getting away with such difficult crimes in broad daylight, something he was clearly good at with Anne Catherine's help. I was also surprised by how light his prison sentences were? For a repeat offender and such a prolific criminal with little remorse it seems he barely did any time behind bars.
In conclusion, this was a fascinating peak into the mind and life of the world's most prolific art thief. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in true crime stories or art history.
"Crime works best, not with overpowering force but when nobody knows it’s being committed."
“It isn’t action, he suspects, that usually lands a thief in prison. It’s hesitation.”
"Art signals our freedom. It exists because we’ve won the evolutionary war."