Robert Edsel talked about his book, Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation’s Treasures From the Nazis, in which he reports on the rescue and protection of historic pieces of art in Italy during World War II. The Nazi Army, who occupied Italy in 1943, looted numerous historic artifacts and artwork that dated from the Renaissance and the Roman Empire. In his book, the author recounts the Allied mission to reacquire the artwork and focuses on the efforts of two men, art scholar Fred Hartt and artist Deane Keller, who pursued missing works by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Donatello.

The way Robert Edsel tells the story, it all began in 1997 on the Ponte Vecchio. He'd recently sold his oil-and-gas exploration business for $37 million, and moved to Florence with no grand plan except to find a grand passion.

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Mr. Edsel talked about the extent and premeditation of the Nazi art collection efforts and ongoing efforts to restore artwork, including by his foundation. Mr. Edsel used slides and video during his presentation during which he paid tribute to all veterans.

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A newly discovered catalogue of artworks stolen by Nazis compiled for Adolf Hitler could help unravel the mystery surrounding the whereabouts of lost materpieces seized during the Second World War.

Robert Edsel talked about his book, Rescuing Da Vinci: Hitler and the Nazis Stole Europe’s Great Art: America and Her Allies Recovered It, published by Laurel Publishing.

He was interviewed at the 30th Annual National Press Club Book Fair and Authors' Night, a fundraiser for the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library.