Rose Valland lived in Paris during WWII. She worked at the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris. Though women were undervalued in society at that time, Rose worked hard at her job and when the Nazis came to Paris, she stayed. She knew German and could listen to the Nazi art thieves discuss where the art was going and she could also catalog the art that was looted. She was her very own monuments man in Paris. Rose was a lesbian and her girlfriend worked at the U.S. Embassy. Her girlfriend was a British citizen who was eventually sent to a camp for British citizens who had remained in France after the Germans invaded.

While Rose was cataloging the art and keeping track of where precious works were being taken, she was doing it at great personal risk. The Nazis had a plan to send her to Germany so they could assassinate her. She persisted and was instrumental after the war in returning looted art. She was recognized by the French, British, and U.S. Governments for her efforts.

I knew nothing about Rose Valland going in to this book. She was incredibly brave. She was incredibly resilient. She is an example of what people should be in the face of tyranny. I found this read to be timely for so many reasons. But I also found this book insightful and very well written. The author also followed the Rosenberg family - huge art dealers and collectors in France - from their escape from France and immigration to New York and of their son Alexandre, who was forced to stay and fight. He fought for the British against the Nazis. The interweaving of both stories make the book even more interesting as Alexandre and Rose's paths eventually cross after the war.

The narrator was exceptional as well. Her voice was calming despite the horrors she discussed. The pacing was perfect. I would like to see this book in print because I would like to see photos of the people involved and the art that was taken. Some of which was never recovered. If you love art and war and history and mystery, you will enjoy this book.

I've been curious about Rose Valland since she showed up in The Monuments Men, and I was thrilled to come across a book centered on her.