Orpheus Clock

An extraordinary piece of history...a fresh and lively read (The Christian Science Monitor)the passionate, gripping, true story of one mans single-minded quest to reclaim his familys art collection, stolen by the Nazis in World War II.Simon Goodmans grandparents came from German-Jewish banking dynasties and perished in concentration camps. And thats almost all he knew about themhis father rarely spoke of their family history or heritage. But when his father passed away, and Simon received his old papers, a story began to emerge. The Gutmanns, as they were known then, rose from a small Bohemian hamlet to become one of Germanys most powerful banking families. They also amassed a magnificent, world-class art collection that included works by Degas, Renoir, Botticelli, Guardi, and many, many more. But the Nazi regime snatched from them everything they had worked to build: their remarkable art, their immense wealth, their prominent social standing, and their very lives. Only after his fathers death did Simon begin to piece together the clues about the Gutmanns stolen legacy and the Nazi looting machine. With painstaking detective work across two continents, Simon has been able to prove that many works belonged to his family and successfully secure their return. Fascinating...splendid and tragic (The Wall Street Journal), Goodmans story is alternately wrenching and inspiring...An emotional tale of unspeakable horrors, family devotion, and art as a symbol of hope (Kirkus Reviews). It is not only the account of a twenty-year detective hunt for family treasure, but an unforgettable tale of redemption and restoration.