One of the most remarkable true-crime narratives of the twenty-first century: the story of the world’s most prolific art thief, Stéphane Breitwieser.
In this spellbinding portrait of obsession and flawed genius, the best-selling author of The Stranger in the Woods brings us into Breitwieser’s strange world—unlike most thieves, he never stole for money, keeping all his treasures in a single room where he could admire them.
For centuries, works of art have been stolen in countless ways from all over the world, but no one has been quite as successful at it as the master thief Stéphane Breitwieser. Carrying out more than two hundred heists over nearly eight years—in museums and cathedrals all over Europe—Breitwieser, along with his girlfriend who worked as his lookout, stole more than three hundred objects, until it all fell apart in spectacular fashion.
In The Art Thief, Michael Finkel brings us into Breitwieser’s strange and fascinating world. Unlike most thieves, Breitwieser never stole for money. Instead, he displayed all his treasures in a pair of secret rooms where he could admire them to his heart’s content. Possessed of a remarkable athleticism and an innate ability to circumvent practically any security system, Breitwieser managed to pull off a breathtaking number of audacious thefts. Yet these strange talents bred a growing disregard for risk and an addict’s need to score, leading Breitwieser to ignore his girlfriend’s pleas to stop—until one final act of hubris brought everything crashing down.
This is a riveting story of art, crime, love, and an insatiable hunger to possess beauty at any cost.
Note about the reporting. Map. Black-and-white illustrations and full-color photographs.
Book Genres Autobiography/Biography, Narrative Nonfiction
Canadian Rights Yes
Dewey 364.16
Title alpha The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
Level Adult Crossover Nonfiction Plus
Pages Count 240
Genre Nonfiction
Topics Art. Popular culture. Art thefts. Criminal investigation. France. Criminals and outlaws. Stéphane Breitwieser (1971<span style="color:rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:montserrat; font-size:14px">– ).</span> True crime. Heists and robberies.
Trim Size 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"
JLG Span Fall
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2023-06-26
JLG Release Date Sep 2023
Minimum grade 11
Maximum grade 12
Reading level High
Format Print
Adult Crossover Nonfiction Plus (Grades 11 & Up)
Adult Crossover Nonfiction Plus
Adult Crossover Nonfiction Plus (Grades 11 & Up)
For Grades 11 & Up
For the more advanced high school reader who is ready for adult reading and enjoys nonfiction, our ACN Category is a great choice. With more sophisticated and challenging themes, these books open up new worlds for teen readers. Help them experience a new world monthly with the 14 books in ACN.
Take note: These selections often contain mature situations and language that could be considered controversial.
14 books per Year
$309.26 per Year
Interests
Diversity, Mature Readers, Nonfiction, Biographies, History