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The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland
A riveting and stylish saga set in Paris during World War II, The Art Spy uncovers how an unlikely heroine infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world's most treasured masterpieces.
On August 25, 1944, Rose Valland, a woman of quiet daring, found herself in a desperate position. From the windows of her beloved Jeu de Paume museum, where she had worked and ultimately spied, she could see the battle to liberate Paris thundering around her. The Jeu de Paume, co-opted by Nazi leadership, was now the Germans’ final line of defense. Would the museum curator be killed before she could tell the truth—a story that would mean nothing less than saving humanity’s cultural inheritance?
Based on troves of previously undiscovered documents, The Art Spy chronicles the brave actions of the key Resistance spy in the heart of the Nazi’s art looting headquarters in the French capital. A veritable female Monuments Man, Valland has, until now, been written out of the annals, despite bearing witness to history’s largest art theft. While Hitler was amassing stolen art for his future Führermuseum, Valland, his undercover adversary, secretly worked to stop him.
At every stage of World War II, Valland was front and center. She came face to face with Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, passed crucial information to the Resistance network, put herself deliberately in harm’s way to protect the museum and her staff, and faced death during the last hours of Liberation Day.
At the same time, a young Free French soldier, Alexandre Rosenberg , was fighting his way to Paris with the Allied forces battling to liberate France. Alexandre's father was the exclusive art dealer for Picasso, Matisse, George Braque, and Fernand Léger. The Nazis had taken everything from their family—their art collection, their nationality, their gallery, and their home in Paris.
Vivid and atmospheric, The Art Spy moves from the glittering days of pre-War Paris, home to geniuses of modern culture, including Picasso, Josephine Baker, Coco Chanel, Le Corbusier, and Frida Kahlo, through the tension-riddled cities and resorts of Europe on the eve of war, to the harrowing years of the Nazi occupation of France when brave people such as Valland and Rosenberg risked everything to fight monstrous evil.
In the spirit of Hidden Figures, with the sweeping narrative of The Rape of Europa and the depth of The Resistance Quartet, The Art Spy is an extraordinary tale of a female hero whose courage and tenacity in a time of violence and terror is an inspiration for us all.
On August 25, 1944, Rose Valland, a woman of quiet daring, found herself in a desperate position. From the windows of her beloved Jeu de Paume museum, where she had worked and ultimately spied, she could see the battle to liberate Paris thundering around her. The Jeu de Paume, co-opted by Nazi leadership, was now the Germans’ final line of defense. Would the museum curator be killed before she could tell the truth—a story that would mean nothing less than saving humanity’s cultural inheritance?
Based on troves of previously undiscovered documents, The Art Spy chronicles the brave actions of the key Resistance spy in the heart of the Nazi’s art looting headquarters in the French capital. A veritable female Monuments Man, Valland has, until now, been written out of the annals, despite bearing witness to history’s largest art theft. While Hitler was amassing stolen art for his future Führermuseum, Valland, his undercover adversary, secretly worked to stop him.
At every stage of World War II, Valland was front and center. She came face to face with Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, passed crucial information to the Resistance network, put herself deliberately in harm’s way to protect the museum and her staff, and faced death during the last hours of Liberation Day.
At the same time, a young Free French soldier, Alexandre Rosenberg , was fighting his way to Paris with the Allied forces battling to liberate France. Alexandre's father was the exclusive art dealer for Picasso, Matisse, George Braque, and Fernand Léger. The Nazis had taken everything from their family—their art collection, their nationality, their gallery, and their home in Paris.
Vivid and atmospheric, The Art Spy moves from the glittering days of pre-War Paris, home to geniuses of modern culture, including Picasso, Josephine Baker, Coco Chanel, Le Corbusier, and Frida Kahlo, through the tension-riddled cities and resorts of Europe on the eve of war, to the harrowing years of the Nazi occupation of France when brave people such as Valland and Rosenberg risked everything to fight monstrous evil.
In the spirit of Hidden Figures, with the sweeping narrative of The Rape of Europa and the depth of The Resistance Quartet, The Art Spy is an extraordinary tale of a female hero whose courage and tenacity in a time of violence and terror is an inspiration for us all.
390 pages, Hardcover
First published May 13, 2025
526 people are currently reading
4205 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Young
5 books30 followersMichelle Young is an award-winning journalist, author, and professor whose writing and photography has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Hyperallergic, The Forward, and Narratively. She is a graduate of Harvard College in the History of Art and Architecture and holds a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, where she is a Professor of Architecture. She is the founder of the publication Untapped New York. She divides her time between New York City and Paris.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
July 29, 2025
The word "spy" has a rather stereotypical meaning in the English language but spying takes on a new definition in this amazing tale of a woman fighting to save the art treasures of Paris during the Nazi occupation. I was familiar with Rose Valland but didn't know much about her activities as little has been written about her. This book solves that problem.
Mlle.Valland was an administrator at the Paris art gallery, Jeu de Paume, a treasure trove of rare and priceless paintings, tapestries, statuary, and other art work. She was totally dedicated to her profession and was prescient as to what the Nazi occupation might mean to the safety of the treasures. She was also aware that the Vichy government would be of no help as it was nothing more than a front for Germany. As the Nazi looting began, she kept a secretive record of what was taken and where it was going. She also became part of the Resistance which could provide her with valuable information about locations.
There is much in this book which could be included in this review but it is complex and, at times, a bit confusing due to the many acronyms used in the narrative. Regardless, it is a must-read for the WWII buff or for anyone interested in the Nazi occupation of the City of Light. A compelling read.
Mlle.Valland was an administrator at the Paris art gallery, Jeu de Paume, a treasure trove of rare and priceless paintings, tapestries, statuary, and other art work. She was totally dedicated to her profession and was prescient as to what the Nazi occupation might mean to the safety of the treasures. She was also aware that the Vichy government would be of no help as it was nothing more than a front for Germany. As the Nazi looting began, she kept a secretive record of what was taken and where it was going. She also became part of the Resistance which could provide her with valuable information about locations.
There is much in this book which could be included in this review but it is complex and, at times, a bit confusing due to the many acronyms used in the narrative. Regardless, it is a must-read for the WWII buff or for anyone interested in the Nazi occupation of the City of Light. A compelling read.
May 9, 2025
The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland was an incredible tale. The author, Michelle Young, states that she believes she was destined to come across the story of Rose Valland. She attributes that her initial discovery of this incredible woman was in her reading of the fascinating book Goring's Man in Paris by Jonahan Petropoulos, amazed that she had not heard of her, particularly since she read almost exclusively books on female Resistance spies from World War II. Michelle Young relates that her lifelong passion for World War II was sparked by her own family history, which included her grandfather's survival of the bombing in Hiroshima. She states that she felt a deep kinship with Rose realizing that she had been following in her footsteps since she was a child both studying art history.
The Art Spy epic saga is set in Paris during World War II when an unlikely heroine, Rose Valland, infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world's most treasured masterpieces. On August 25, 1944, Rose Villand found herself in a desparate position as she gazed through the windows of her beloved Jeu de Paume museum where she had worked and spied on the Nazis throughout the war. She could see that the battle to liberate Paris taking place around her. The Jue de Paume had become the German's final line of defense against the allied troops. Would her years of spying and keeping scrupulous notes about the seizure of the many works of art be lost to history? And this did not come without personal cost as she continued to pass crucial information to Resistance network and putting herself deliberately in harm's way to protect the museum and its staff during the final hours of Liberation Day. But at the same time, a young Free French soldier fighting under General Leclerc was fighting his way to Paris with the Allied forces battling to liberate France. Alexandre's father, Paul Rosenberg, was the exclusive art dealer for Picasso, Matisse, George Braque, and Frida Kahlo. The Nazis had seized everything from them and their family--their art collection, their gallery and their home in Paris. This beautiful and atmospheric book moves from the glittering days before the war where the geniuses of modern culture were gathering. With the likes of James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, and F Scott Fitzgerald wiling away their time at Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare & Company on the Left Bank. Pre-War Paris was home to all of the artistic and literary geniuses, including Picasso, Coco Chanel, and Frida Kahlo. And this book gives the heroic story of one woman using her talents to infiltrate the Nazi network and catalog the art work that she was entrusted to protect, an inspiration for all of us.
And I would like to thank Net Galley, Harper-Collins Publishers, and the author, Michelle Young, for an advanced readers copy. Thank you.
The Art Spy epic saga is set in Paris during World War II when an unlikely heroine, Rose Valland, infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world's most treasured masterpieces. On August 25, 1944, Rose Villand found herself in a desparate position as she gazed through the windows of her beloved Jeu de Paume museum where she had worked and spied on the Nazis throughout the war. She could see that the battle to liberate Paris taking place around her. The Jue de Paume had become the German's final line of defense against the allied troops. Would her years of spying and keeping scrupulous notes about the seizure of the many works of art be lost to history? And this did not come without personal cost as she continued to pass crucial information to Resistance network and putting herself deliberately in harm's way to protect the museum and its staff during the final hours of Liberation Day. But at the same time, a young Free French soldier fighting under General Leclerc was fighting his way to Paris with the Allied forces battling to liberate France. Alexandre's father, Paul Rosenberg, was the exclusive art dealer for Picasso, Matisse, George Braque, and Frida Kahlo. The Nazis had seized everything from them and their family--their art collection, their gallery and their home in Paris. This beautiful and atmospheric book moves from the glittering days before the war where the geniuses of modern culture were gathering. With the likes of James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, and F Scott Fitzgerald wiling away their time at Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare & Company on the Left Bank. Pre-War Paris was home to all of the artistic and literary geniuses, including Picasso, Coco Chanel, and Frida Kahlo. And this book gives the heroic story of one woman using her talents to infiltrate the Nazi network and catalog the art work that she was entrusted to protect, an inspiration for all of us.
And I would like to thank Net Galley, Harper-Collins Publishers, and the author, Michelle Young, for an advanced readers copy. Thank you.
February 11, 2025
Oh those pesky Nazis and their love of fine art. Little did they know one of their most formidable adversaries would be a woman named Rose Valland and her powers of ADMINISTRATION!
Yes, I sound a bit flippant, but honestly not all spies are shanking people in the shadows or stealing military technology. Rose Valland was a (mostly unpaid which was ridiculous) curator for the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris during World War II. She crosses paths with a murderer's row (literally) of despicable humans including rank art amateur Göring.
The book moves along fast and Young's writing is an easy read. I would caution readers that the title sets a standard which the book doesn't necessarily live up to. First of all, Valland is not front and center for a lot of the narrative. She was mostly a background figure, which probably kept her alive, but the story becomes very much about what is going on around her along with side stories about other people. This may be a symptom of the second issue which is that Young is often forced to tell us who Valland is instead of showing us. Valland did not document her own actions and feelings extensively so I think Young needed a lot of other information to fill out the book. It is still a good story overall, but don't expect a lot of cloak and dagger excitement on every page.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by HarperOne.)
Yes, I sound a bit flippant, but honestly not all spies are shanking people in the shadows or stealing military technology. Rose Valland was a (mostly unpaid which was ridiculous) curator for the Jeu de Paume museum in Paris during World War II. She crosses paths with a murderer's row (literally) of despicable humans including rank art amateur Göring.
The book moves along fast and Young's writing is an easy read. I would caution readers that the title sets a standard which the book doesn't necessarily live up to. First of all, Valland is not front and center for a lot of the narrative. She was mostly a background figure, which probably kept her alive, but the story becomes very much about what is going on around her along with side stories about other people. This may be a symptom of the second issue which is that Young is often forced to tell us who Valland is instead of showing us. Valland did not document her own actions and feelings extensively so I think Young needed a lot of other information to fill out the book. It is still a good story overall, but don't expect a lot of cloak and dagger excitement on every page.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by HarperOne.)
April 3, 2025
Author Michelle Young has done a magnificent job researching and writing about Rose Valland who is the Art Spy during WW2 and who kept track of all the raiding and raping of French Jewish families of their artwork, books and possessions. Rose was one of the few people left inside the French National Museums and was allowed to work there to help catalog all the artwork that was brought to the museum in Paris after their plunder by the Nazi's. She was able to make duplicate copies of inventories and was also able to track which Nazi officials took them, or sold them to raise money for their war machine. Under constant pressure and at great peril she was able to spy upon the Nazi's for the duration of their occupation of France, and then was able to help the Monuments Men in their recovery of so many of these items, as well as testifying at the Nuremberg Trials and help obtain convictions of many of those individuals. Even after the war she was relentless in recovering stolen art, books, furniture and flags taken to Russia. A very well written book that adds to our understanding of citizen soldiers who were instrumental to help win the war and try and restore order to a world gone mad. 4.5****
May 26, 2025
'In the madness at the Jeu de Paume, you were either trying to be a serious art historian or trying to steal the art'.
Rose Valland came from a humble, working-class background but it was clear from a young age that she was meant for brighter things, working within the world of art. Despite ultimately being blocked from her dream role as a curator at the Louvre, she proved her devotion by working for years as a volunteer at the Jeu de Paume. Her tireless effort was never more challenged than when Paris fell to the Nazis in WW2. However, Rose did not cower but campaigned to be left as a custodian of the museum, and actively worked with the Resistance to document the systematic looting and theft of great works of art throughout the war. She somehow even managed to survive multiple interrogations regarding stolen artwork, by the culprits looking to shirk the blame for their deeds. 'She was a one-woman operation - spy, art historian, building superintendent, and archivist all at once...'.
'The Art Spy' is a well-researched book - both in terms of depth and breadth - on the systematic pillaging, theft, and destruction of art during WW2. Although the story pivots on Rose Valland’s courage in documenting the bald-faced looting, despite increasing threats against her life, the Art Spy gives a real synopsis of both the fall and liberation of France. Its short chapters keep the history pacy and it is a very readable narrative non-fiction story. Although it would have been nice to glean more details on some of her feats and day-to-day life of working under the scrutiny of some high-ranking Nazi officers, I appreciate that there was a lot of information to try and cover off. I can't believe that approx 650,000 works of art were stolen during this time and that there could be as many as 100,000 works yet to be found. A job that Rose continued to work on, well after the war.
I love continuing to learn of facets that comprised WW2. I never realised that art became such a pivot point throughout the years of Paris's occupation. Anyone who enjoys women's history and learning about the WW2 years, will enjoy reading this book.
'In a war where resistance took many forms, Rose...fought to retain the humanity of those whose possessions, family histories, identities and sometimes their lives were violently stolen from them'.
Rose Valland came from a humble, working-class background but it was clear from a young age that she was meant for brighter things, working within the world of art. Despite ultimately being blocked from her dream role as a curator at the Louvre, she proved her devotion by working for years as a volunteer at the Jeu de Paume. Her tireless effort was never more challenged than when Paris fell to the Nazis in WW2. However, Rose did not cower but campaigned to be left as a custodian of the museum, and actively worked with the Resistance to document the systematic looting and theft of great works of art throughout the war. She somehow even managed to survive multiple interrogations regarding stolen artwork, by the culprits looking to shirk the blame for their deeds. 'She was a one-woman operation - spy, art historian, building superintendent, and archivist all at once...'.
'The Art Spy' is a well-researched book - both in terms of depth and breadth - on the systematic pillaging, theft, and destruction of art during WW2. Although the story pivots on Rose Valland’s courage in documenting the bald-faced looting, despite increasing threats against her life, the Art Spy gives a real synopsis of both the fall and liberation of France. Its short chapters keep the history pacy and it is a very readable narrative non-fiction story. Although it would have been nice to glean more details on some of her feats and day-to-day life of working under the scrutiny of some high-ranking Nazi officers, I appreciate that there was a lot of information to try and cover off. I can't believe that approx 650,000 works of art were stolen during this time and that there could be as many as 100,000 works yet to be found. A job that Rose continued to work on, well after the war.
I love continuing to learn of facets that comprised WW2. I never realised that art became such a pivot point throughout the years of Paris's occupation. Anyone who enjoys women's history and learning about the WW2 years, will enjoy reading this book.
'In a war where resistance took many forms, Rose...fought to retain the humanity of those whose possessions, family histories, identities and sometimes their lives were violently stolen from them'.
March 16, 2025
THE ART SPY
If you’re looking for a true story about a strong, intelligent, and independent woman, The Art Spy is an excellent choice. Rose Valland loved art. Her whole life, starting with an excellent education from the École des Beaux-Arts School in Lyon, to working as an underpaid curator at the avant-garde Jeu de Palme Museum, prepared her for her greatest challenge: protecting Paris artwork from the Nazi pilfering and destruction during WWII.
Unassuming and nondescript, Valland worked throughout the occupation side by side with high level Nazi officials, providing administrative help at the Jeu de Palme museum. This access allowed her considerable opportunities to monitor and track all art movement done by the Germans. After the war she was very instrumental in returning stolen artwork to the rightful owners.
Her efforts are beautifully woven into a highly detailed background of the Parisian art world during Nazi occupation. Artwork of a modern style was considered degenerate, large private family collections were confiscated, and museum collections were moved to Germany for “safekeeping”. Owners and dealers of valuable pieces attempted to hide their treasures from the invading forces. Rose’s low profile approach, ingenuity, and genuine love of art enabled her to accomplish a truly remarkable service to Paris and the world of art in general.
Well written and fascinating to read, The Art Spy is well researched with extensive notes, bibliography, and photos. I would like to thank NetGalley, Michelle Young, and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book.
If you’re looking for a true story about a strong, intelligent, and independent woman, The Art Spy is an excellent choice. Rose Valland loved art. Her whole life, starting with an excellent education from the École des Beaux-Arts School in Lyon, to working as an underpaid curator at the avant-garde Jeu de Palme Museum, prepared her for her greatest challenge: protecting Paris artwork from the Nazi pilfering and destruction during WWII.
Unassuming and nondescript, Valland worked throughout the occupation side by side with high level Nazi officials, providing administrative help at the Jeu de Palme museum. This access allowed her considerable opportunities to monitor and track all art movement done by the Germans. After the war she was very instrumental in returning stolen artwork to the rightful owners.
Her efforts are beautifully woven into a highly detailed background of the Parisian art world during Nazi occupation. Artwork of a modern style was considered degenerate, large private family collections were confiscated, and museum collections were moved to Germany for “safekeeping”. Owners and dealers of valuable pieces attempted to hide their treasures from the invading forces. Rose’s low profile approach, ingenuity, and genuine love of art enabled her to accomplish a truly remarkable service to Paris and the world of art in general.
Well written and fascinating to read, The Art Spy is well researched with extensive notes, bibliography, and photos. I would like to thank NetGalley, Michelle Young, and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 1, 2025
Little known story of woman curator, Rose Valland, at Paris museum who tried to keep rare paintings from German occupiers who looted them for Hitler and his henchman. Hitler considered modern artists like Picasso, etc. decadent and tried to burn or destroy their work. The Nazis stole especially Jewish owned collections and this brave woman tried to outsmart the Germans and saved many works for posterity.
July 17, 2025
My enjoyment: 4 ⭐️’s
But I think someone who enjoys reading history books would rate it 4.5 ⭐️’s or higher as it tells an under represented part of history
I did it, my first non-fiction in almost two years! Super glad I read this, I just want to go to art museums and look at art with a whole new appreciation for both the work the museum staff put into putting together exhibits but also how much work went into protecting many of the Picasso’s Van Gogh’s and Matisse’s during WW2. This book primarily focuses on Rose Valland her career in art history and museums and the work she invested into keeping track of the stolen art during WW2 in Paris. The final chapters detail her work after the war to find and return the art. There are larger than expected sections that focus on someone who is connected to an art family but was fighting in the war which I have mixed feelings about, I liked seeing a different perspective but feel like it took away from Rose, and unnecessarily lengthened the book.
I had to really push through the first 75 pages as there are so many artists who I’m not familiar with, it’s what I imagine a non-science teacher would feel about the sciency sections of science fiction. Once the focus was on life during the German occupation of Paris and the museum I was able to sink into the book.
But I think someone who enjoys reading history books would rate it 4.5 ⭐️’s or higher as it tells an under represented part of history
I did it, my first non-fiction in almost two years! Super glad I read this, I just want to go to art museums and look at art with a whole new appreciation for both the work the museum staff put into putting together exhibits but also how much work went into protecting many of the Picasso’s Van Gogh’s and Matisse’s during WW2. This book primarily focuses on Rose Valland her career in art history and museums and the work she invested into keeping track of the stolen art during WW2 in Paris. The final chapters detail her work after the war to find and return the art. There are larger than expected sections that focus on someone who is connected to an art family but was fighting in the war which I have mixed feelings about, I liked seeing a different perspective but feel like it took away from Rose, and unnecessarily lengthened the book.
I had to really push through the first 75 pages as there are so many artists who I’m not familiar with, it’s what I imagine a non-science teacher would feel about the sciency sections of science fiction. Once the focus was on life during the German occupation of Paris and the museum I was able to sink into the book.
May 31, 2025
I recently have been on a biography kick and immediately jumped on the opportunity of reviewing The Art Spy by Michelle Young which shares the story of Rose Valland an art historian turned resistance spy.
During WWII she worked as an art historian at the Jeu de Paume and witnessed the plans in place to acquire the art work of France. She fought and stood in the way to protect France’s art. I had not heard of Rose before reading this lengthy well researched book. I was nervous it would be to smart for me but the whole book felt very cinematic and the physical copy is stunning with photographs throughout. Rose Valland was a total bad ass… and I’m so glad I picked this one up and learned about her history to share with my girls.
If you love art or history this is a great one to dive into. A great pick to add to your NF November or Pride month stacks.
Thank you HarperOne, Harper Collins and The Future of Agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
During WWII she worked as an art historian at the Jeu de Paume and witnessed the plans in place to acquire the art work of France. She fought and stood in the way to protect France’s art. I had not heard of Rose before reading this lengthy well researched book. I was nervous it would be to smart for me but the whole book felt very cinematic and the physical copy is stunning with photographs throughout. Rose Valland was a total bad ass… and I’m so glad I picked this one up and learned about her history to share with my girls.
If you love art or history this is a great one to dive into. A great pick to add to your NF November or Pride month stacks.
Thank you HarperOne, Harper Collins and The Future of Agency
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
June 10, 2025
A masterpiece in storytelling, research, and capturing the essence of a forgotten hero.
July 26, 2025
4* on information and research
3* on the way it was written, kind of tough to get through
3* on the way it was written, kind of tough to get through
February 4, 2025
Michelle Young's fascinating World War II account of Rose Valland, one-time caretaker and curator of Paris's Jeu de Paume Museum, is a must-read. When Nazis overtook the Jea de Paume in the wake of the occupation of Paris, Valland courageously remained a stalwart guardian of the museum, and, acting as a spy, kept meticulous records of the artwork the Nazis were confiscating from personal collections all over France. Later in the post-war years, she became one of the Monuments Men and Women who worked tirelessly to track down and rescue looted art in order to return it to its owners. Michelle Young paints a thoroughly engrossing and detailed portrait of Rose, taking readers on a thrilling ride through Rose's clever spy maneuvers within the museum as she outwitted the Nazis time and time again. The glimpses of Rose's personal life are poignant and, at times, tragic, as she and her decade-long partner Joyce face wartime dangers and the trials of living in occupied Paris. Young's writing is filled with page-turning suspense, action, and surprises, and Rose's real-life story is even more compelling than fiction. Michelle Young gives a masterful recounting of Rose's wartime years and the pivotal role she played in rescuing countless priceless works of art. Histories about the Monuments Women are sorely lacking, and this book will find a grateful audience among readers looking for more information about the remarkable women, like Rose, who worked in the realm of art restitution. Perfect for art lovers and World War II history buffs alike, this is a compelling, fast-paced read that's not to be missed.
May 14, 2025
The Art Spy is a biography about an art historian in the 1930's and 40's of Paris who had a key position in safeguarding important art works before and during World War II. It was interesting to learn about Rose's early life and the difficulty and prejudice that she faced. As a woman growing up in the late 1970's and 80's, it was an entirely different culture from mine in the US. This book would be an important read for anyone who is interested in either art history or World War II history. While I have a passing interest in both, this book was too detailed to hold my interest. The author is a professor of architecture has degrees in architecture and art history. This book would be best suited to someone with that level of knowledge, not the casual reader. I was given a complementary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
March 20, 2025
We are all familiar with the brave exploits of the American all male Monuments Men team that scoured Europe on the heels of the Nazis to recover stolen art treasures. We are not familiar with Rose Valland who helped save thousands of artworks being moved to stock Hitler's private art museum or destroyed as degenerate art. Valland in her position at the prestigious Jeu de Paume art museum in Paris along with her co-workers found dangerous and clever ways to thwart the Nazi's. A story of true heroism but because she was a woman it has been kept under wraps until now. Fascinating and well written account that will have your jaw dropping when you consider how these priceless works of art could have disappeared forever. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
July 31, 2025
A lot of interesting facts, but it just did not hold my interest. Very slow paced.
July 31, 2025
1930's France was the international hub for art - not only for the artistic bohemia but also the classics - with Paris as its crown jewel.
Unfortunately such eminence attracted German interests (in Hitler and Göring), and during the occupation of France, it became a fruit for the picking by the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg, a Nazi party orginaization dedicated to destroying 'degenerate' art as well as culturally appropriating (stealing) art from French instituions and collectors.
When one thinks of the struggles during war, art is not the first thing that comes to mind.
When one thinks of the actions of resistance spies, one thinks first of purloining tactical strategies, not train manifests for artwork leaving the country.
Yet Rose Valland is a WWII hero nevertheless, for she witnessed the shadowy cultural plunder occuring all around her, actual histories being stolen and destroyed, and resisted and defied this force to little benefit to herself.
She was suspected, threatened, kicked out, put on various extermination lists, and yet put on the face as an abled compliant curator so she could secretly record all of the actions of both the invaders and oppurtunistic collaborators alike as 20000 pieces of art were being stolen from the galleries and museums of France.
And she did this merely as a VOLUNTEER at the Jeu de Paume Museum.
Michelle Young does an excellent job of threading the events of Valland's resistance to the war stories outside of France, slowly tightening them together where these multiple fronts will collide in Paris.
If I had one criticsm of this entire book, it would be her coverage of Paul and Alexander Rosenberg. In telling the story of Paul (a Jewish art dealer who fled Paris and then had to learn about his collection being stolen and destroyed) and following up with his son Alexander, who joined the army efforts and was present at the liberation of France near the wars end, I was worried that the exciting action war story pushed Rose's survivor/resistor story out of the limelight a bit, which is analgous to the treatment she received during and after the war.
Unfortunately such eminence attracted German interests (in Hitler and Göring), and during the occupation of France, it became a fruit for the picking by the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg, a Nazi party orginaization dedicated to destroying 'degenerate' art as well as culturally appropriating (stealing) art from French instituions and collectors.
When one thinks of the struggles during war, art is not the first thing that comes to mind.
When one thinks of the actions of resistance spies, one thinks first of purloining tactical strategies, not train manifests for artwork leaving the country.
Yet Rose Valland is a WWII hero nevertheless, for she witnessed the shadowy cultural plunder occuring all around her, actual histories being stolen and destroyed, and resisted and defied this force to little benefit to herself.
She was suspected, threatened, kicked out, put on various extermination lists, and yet put on the face as an abled compliant curator so she could secretly record all of the actions of both the invaders and oppurtunistic collaborators alike as 20000 pieces of art were being stolen from the galleries and museums of France.
And she did this merely as a VOLUNTEER at the Jeu de Paume Museum.
Michelle Young does an excellent job of threading the events of Valland's resistance to the war stories outside of France, slowly tightening them together where these multiple fronts will collide in Paris.
If I had one criticsm of this entire book, it would be her coverage of Paul and Alexander Rosenberg. In telling the story of Paul (a Jewish art dealer who fled Paris and then had to learn about his collection being stolen and destroyed) and following up with his son Alexander, who joined the army efforts and was present at the liberation of France near the wars end, I was worried that the exciting action war story pushed Rose's survivor/resistor story out of the limelight a bit, which is analgous to the treatment she received during and after the war.
July 14, 2025
This was so very much more than the story of Rose Valland. It was a solid overview of WWII, from its inception, to the occupation of France (particularly Paris) and its liberation, told from the standpoint of the art world. A concurrent thread told the story of Alexandre Rosenberg, son of a wealthy Jewish family prominent in the international art scene, who escaped and later returned with the Free French forces who liberated Paris. The Third Reich's systematic looting, fencing and destruction of not only Jewish art and treasures, but pieces from the Musees Nationaux, cathedrals and castles, is well told in a clipped, gripping style. Valland's participation in the Resistance as curator at the Jeu de Paume, and her meticulous if indecipherable records helped in the recovery and restoration of more than 61,000 works with her team (650,000 were taken). The most decorated woman in France, a Captain in the curatorial corps (even a Lieutenant Colonel with the US Monuments Men group), was buried with no acknowledgement by the French government. That she is finally being acknowledged in the 2000's is justice served. She has defined the field of art provenance and restitution. The epilogue is a must-read.
April 6, 2025
True stories about heroes and heroines are always interesting, but this story about an unassuming woman who fiercely protected valuable artworks during WWII is absorbing and incredible. Rose Valland had a love of art at a young age, but in those days, women did not have many opportunities to pursue careers as artists, art experts or in administration. Despite excellent grades and talent, Rose was relegated to accepting a lowly curator's job at the Jue de Palme Museum in Paris. She managed to convince Nazi soldiers that she was a nobody and not worth worrying about. Her cataloguing of stolen art was especially important. And little did she know that she would become one of the country's top protectors and investigators of thousands of artworks from across Europe that were stolen by the Nazis, mostly to satisfy Adolf Hitler's determination to create the greatest "Fuhrermuseum" in Linz, Germany, which would house all the pilfered art he obtained. Rose Valland's work became so crucial in thwarting Hitler's plans and later recovering stolen art, that she was even given a commission in the French First Army.
I applaud Michelle Young's detailed research, not only of Ms. Valland, but also of secondary -- but no less significant -- characters such as Alexandre Rosenberg. The old photographs in the book also made this story even more interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and the author for the eARC and the opportunity to read and review this book.
I applaud Michelle Young's detailed research, not only of Ms. Valland, but also of secondary -- but no less significant -- characters such as Alexandre Rosenberg. The old photographs in the book also made this story even more interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and the author for the eARC and the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 13, 2025
One of the best nonfiction books this year is The Art Spy by Michelle Young, and the year is not yet done! The Art Spy tells the story of Rose Valland art historian turned resistance spy rescuing art that the nazi’s wanted to loot. Rose came face to face with Goering and risked her life several times reporting to the resistance and documenting everything that was happening. Rose provided information to stop the last train of artworks leaving Paris which included works by Picasso, Monet, Cezanne, Gauguin, Braque, Degas, Modigliani, & Toulouse-Lautrec.
Writing, Photos & Research
Michelle is an excellent writer; researcher and I love the photos she puts in the book. While The Art Spy is a nonfiction book, I appreciate that while Michelle’s research is there and she sticks to the facts, the writing itself is engaging and fast paced. Sometimes nonfiction books have a bad habit of reading like a dry textbook & for those who aren’t nonfiction readers it’s going to turn them off from the genre, heck it can annoy people who do enjoy nonfiction. Thank goodness The Art Spy is not a textbook of events. I loved reading the parts about Rose & the Rosenberg family. It was also interesting learning things I didn’t know before. The Art Spy is also a reminder of bravery & doing what’s right no matter what the cost & Rose demonstrated that. The Art Spy launched today on May 13th wherever books were sold. If I were you, I’d buy it. Thank you, Michelle Young, for bringing Rose’s story to the world!
Writing, Photos & Research
Michelle is an excellent writer; researcher and I love the photos she puts in the book. While The Art Spy is a nonfiction book, I appreciate that while Michelle’s research is there and she sticks to the facts, the writing itself is engaging and fast paced. Sometimes nonfiction books have a bad habit of reading like a dry textbook & for those who aren’t nonfiction readers it’s going to turn them off from the genre, heck it can annoy people who do enjoy nonfiction. Thank goodness The Art Spy is not a textbook of events. I loved reading the parts about Rose & the Rosenberg family. It was also interesting learning things I didn’t know before. The Art Spy is also a reminder of bravery & doing what’s right no matter what the cost & Rose demonstrated that. The Art Spy launched today on May 13th wherever books were sold. If I were you, I’d buy it. Thank you, Michelle Young, for bringing Rose’s story to the world!
June 8, 2025
I saw author Michelle Young speak recently about the 3 years of research she invested before writing this thrilling novel, which is based on real life. The heroic story of how Rose Valland tracked and saved so much of the art and culture of France is expertly woven into the WWII timeline of the Nazi invasion. Their greed is palpable. Rose helped the better-known Monument Men recover 10s of thousands of artworks, yet history would never have known her full contribution if not for this book. It’s disgusting how the Nazis hoarded the art they coveted and slashed or burned many modern works because Hitler didn’t like them. It’s heartbreaking that more than 100,000 artworks are still missing.
The audiobook is excellent and I plan to purchase the hardback book for my library! I’m kicking myself for not buying it at the Bexley, OH Library the night of the author talk.
The audiobook is excellent and I plan to purchase the hardback book for my library! I’m kicking myself for not buying it at the Bexley, OH Library the night of the author talk.
June 24, 2025
The amount of research that went into this book is staggering. In the Author’s Note, Michelle Young writes, “I believe that is you look deep enough, read someone’s words closely enough, and are patient enough, their stories will speak to you through what they left behind.” Rose Valland was certainly brought to life through the pages of this book and I am thankful to now know and appreciate her story and contribution in to history.
June 29, 2025
This new book will be one of my top nonfiction reads of the year - and probably my top history read/biography. How have I never heard of this woman before? Better late than never, as her story is spectacular. If you enjoy 20th century history, WWII, or art, or all of the above, you’ll enjoy this book. I listened to the audiobook in one day. There is a lot to discuss for bookclubs if yours is looking for a no fiction option.
July 11, 2025
What was great about this book is that the author doesn’t get in the way of telling the story or draw any attention to herself. The action just moves along and though PACKED with details, the book doesn’t feel tedious.
July 12, 2025
Phenomenal audio book. Memoir about a WW2 female resistance fighter in the art world. This was a page turner of a book. I am amazed at what she was able to accomplish under such circumstances. Highly recommend.
June 6, 2025
I will never stop being immensely moved by the stories that I continue to learn about the heroes and heroines of WWII.
June 28, 2025
Wow. A part of WWII I had never given thought to. What an incredible force Rose Valland was. A fascinating well-told story that deserves to be known. So many great works of art that we wouldn’t have today if it weren’t for this one woman.
August 27, 2025
3.5 stars
March 22, 2025
An excellent biography of a hero of the French Resistance during WWII. The Art Spy tells the story, in great detail, of Rose Valland and how she documented, at great danger to herself, the Nazis perpetrated the biggest art theft in the world and helped to recover so much of the stolen art. It clearly shows the nazis to be nothing more than murdering, bullying, thieving, criminals. Worthwhile read.
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