Robert K. Wittman

Book consists of prologue and two story lanes that intertwine at some points but in general flow in parallel. In prologue we learn how Nazi historical documentary materiel got lost during the Nuremberg Trials and ended up in private collection for almost 70 years. This gives us setup and what is actually found during the final years of WW2 up to Nuremberg trials.

From that point we are introduced to notorious Estonian, Alfred Rosenberg, his rise through Nazi party hierarchy, friendship and worship of Hitler and we can see how Rosenberg ultimately became de facto main ideologist and soul leader of the Nazi party. We follow his never-ending bickering feuds with other Nazi top leaders and finally we witness his execution after he was sentenced to death by Allied Forces war crimes court.

On the other hand we follow Robert Kampmann, former German police officer who found himself hunted down by Nazi regime in late 1930s because of his Jewish ancestry. Hunted by his former colleagues he finally found his way to America in early 1940s from where he returned to Germany in order to sanction and prosecute the Nazis. He was not without quirks of his own and descriptions of his life before emigration to America make a very interesting read indeed.

One of the reviewers noted that title had nothing to do with actual story told.

That is not true. Diary in question is Rosenberg's private diary that would be of little (if any) value to a [general] reader without the actual context (bickering between these monstrous characters is just not enough to understand the actual depths of ... evil is best fitting word here). And majority of the book is exactly that - giving context to entries from the diary that are mentioned in detail.

Highly recommended to everyone interested in the darkest period of human history.… (meer)

Robert Wittman’s memoir about his 20-year career as an FBI agent specializing in art and cultural history crimes. He traveled internationally and worked with other countries’ law enforcement agencies to recover stolen art and antiquities, such as Geronimo’s war bonnet, North Carolina’s copy of the Bill of Rights, a Rembrandt self-portrait, a Peruvian golden backflap (from a suit of armor), and more. The book takes each case, examines the history of the stolen property, and details the covert work required to recover it. He weaves elements from his personal life into the narrative.

I found this book fascinating. It revolves around two of my personal passions: art and history. It includes intriguing elements such as art heists, fake deals, undercover subterfuge, and an insider’s view of the FBI. I flew through it. One of the most touching scenes in the book is the retrieval of the American Civil War battle flag from one of the first African American regiments to fight for the Union.

Wittman’s account gives a glimpse of the what the FBI is like, from the recognition and accolades when they resolve a high-profile case to the bureaucracy, turf wars, and personality conflicts. Wittman’s story was captivating, especially the details of his undercover work, how he gains the criminals’ confidence, appeals to their greed, and eventually obtains the necessary evidence needed to arrest them and recover the artwork. My only issue with it is the colloquial writing style (lots of discussion of facts and food). Recommended to those interested in art history, the FBI, or true crime.… (meer)