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National Treasures

Saving The Nation's Art in World War II
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( 85 ratings, 13 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
National Treasures by Caroline Shenton explores the remarkable journey behind the conservation and protection efforts of British national treasures during the Second World War. It delves into the dedicated individuals and strategies that ensured the safety of the country's most valuable artefacts. The book provides a compelling insight into a critical time in history, highlighting both the ingenuity and resolve of those tasked with safeguarding cultural heritage.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the intriguing stories behind the safeguarding of Britain's cultural heritage during wartime. It offers a detailed and vivid exploration of the efforts to protect national treasures during critical moments in history, providing a unique perspective on both the art world and military strategies. It’s a compelling read for history buffs and those interested in the intersection of culture and conflict.

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The gigantic covert wartime mission led by the men and women of London's museums and galleries to save the nation's priceless heritage.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
'Geeks triumph over the forces of darkness: nothing could have given me greater pleasure. Combining an exciting story with scrupulous research, Caroline Shenton has done her unlikely heroes proud' - Lucy Worsley

As Hitler prepared to invade Poland during the sweltering summer of 1939, men and women from across London's museums, galleries and archives formulated ingenious plans to send the nation's highest prized objects to safety. Using stately homes, tube tunnels, slate mines, castles, prisons, stone quarries and even their own homes, a dedicated bunch of unlikely misfits packed up the nation's greatest treasures and, in a race against time, dispatched them throughout the country on a series of top-secret wartime adventures.

National Treasures highlights a moment from our history when an unlikely coalition of mild-mannered civil servants, social oddballs and metropolitan aesthetes became the front line in the heritage war against Hitler. Caroline Shenton shares the interwoven lives of ordinary people who kept calm and carried on in the most extraordinary of circumstances in their efforts to save the Nation's historic identity.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

National Treasures by Caroline Shenton is praised for combining meticulous research with engaging storytelling, making the recounting of Britain's efforts to safeguard cultural treasures during WWII both fascinating and entertaining. Reviewers highlight Shenton’s skill in bringing historical details to life, presenting an array of quirky and endearing characters. The book is described as engrossing with a narrative that delights in unexpected anecdotes, making it an enjoyable read with a sense of discovery and vitality.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529387452

Publisher: John Murray Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 27 October 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: John Murray Publishers Ltd

Illustration: 24 B&W illustrations

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 192.0mm

Height: 124.0mm

Weight: 251g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Dr Caroline Shenton was Director of the Parliamentary Archives at Westminster, where she worked for eighteen years. Prior to this she was a senior archivist at the National Archives, and she is currently a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Historical Society. Caroline has written for the Guardian, The London Review of Books, and reviewed books for The Spectator.

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