The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
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(as of Nov 12, 2024 03:36:10 UTC – Details)
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.
Cover images: (top) Bat by Albrecht Dürer. Bridgeman Images; (bottom) The Sleeping Shepherd (detail) by François Boucher RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, NY
Customers say
Customers find the book unforgettable, entertaining, and well-told. They also describe the story as interesting from start to finish. Readers praise the writing quality as compelling, easy to read, and poetic. They say the details about art educate them. Additionally, they mention the pacing is fast and smooth.
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13 reviews for The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
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Anna-Lisa H. –
Wonderful book!
This book was exactly what I was hoping it would be. Well-researched, well-written, and very interesting from start to finish.
KatieMa –
Great Book
I like non-fiction that reads as fiction. I read this book in one day because it was so fascinating. The writing made me feel I was there when he took the art, and if it was fiction, I would say no way could they get away with that. Museums are places I love to visit when we travel, and I can see wanting quiet and space to appreciate the pieces. But I have trouble making the jump to him, thinking he should just take them. Great book.
Thomas Sarsen –
Spellbinding
In the riveting world of true crime literature, few tales are as spellbinding as “The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession”. From the very first page, the reader is transported into a world of passion, intrigue, and high-stakes deception. This isn’t just a book; it’s an odyssey that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the lengths people will go for love and obsession.The narrative is as exquisitely crafted as the artworks it chronicles. The author masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, shedding light on the often shadowy underworld of art theft, where fortunes change hands in the blink of an eye and trust is as rare as a genuine Rembrandt. The characters are intricate and multi-dimensional, transcending the typical archetypes of criminals and victims. The interplay of their motivations â from love to greed, ambition to revenge â paints a vivid picture of humanity in all its flawed beauty.The love story at the heart of this saga is as mesmerizing as any of the stolen masterpieces. It reminds us that beneath the veneer of crime lies a tale as old as time: the pursuit of connection and understanding. It’s a poignant reminder that love, in all its forms, can drive us to extremes, both noble and nefarious.The pacing is impeccable. Each chapter brings with it a new revelation, a twist, or a deeper insight, making it nigh impossible to put down. The balance between the meticulous details of the art world and the raw emotions of the characters is nothing short of masterful.But beyond the captivating story and the poetic prose, “The Art Thief” also raises profound questions about the value we place on art and the lengths we’ll go to possess it. Is it the monetary value that drives this obsession, or is it something deeper, more primal? The book challenges us to reflect on the role of art in our lives and the price we’re willing to pay for beauty.In conclusion, “The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession” is a tour de force, a masterpiece in its own right. It’s a tale that lingers long after the final page, urging us to look beyond the surface and find the stories hidden in the shadows. An absolute must-read for anyone who loves art, mysteries, or the complexities of the human heart.
Surreal –
This is an excelenty written work of insanity.
It was well written and reseached…amazing insanity on all the participants.
julie a. smith –
It was well-written, butâ¦
The topic of art heists is fascinating, but I found the last third of it disturbing.
snoop –
An unbelievable true story! Great book.
We read this book for our book club, and, the story is astonishing! The group all really enjoyed both the writing style of the author, as well as the details that were included about the Stephane Breitwieser, the most prolific art thief in history. This is a psychological masterpiece, which left us baffled as to how anyone could live the life of crime as he did. I highly recommend this book for an unforgettable read!
John Berry –
Art Thief
I purchased this book from Amazon based on their recommendation. The author wrote the book with narrative through out that explains what happened after arrests are made. I believe Mr. Finkel did an excellent job leading the reader into Breitwieser’s gradual lust for stealing art. I really can’t imagine how he ever thought this would end of well. Then again, I don’t think he really cared. Personally, I believe he had a thirst for the excitement of stealing and since he loved/studied art why not. Breitwieser had worked for a short time as a security guard at a small museum and learned security or good security is not affordable for these size museums. He of course took full advantage of this knowledge.After a bit, one theft became many and the reader may get a little fatigued reading about all of them. The detail is amazing on each theft. It seems Breitwieser has a fantastic memory with one description relayed by the author as him telling about each screw being removed to obtain a piece of art. So as I’m starting to think about skipping a few paragraphs, my attention is completely swept up by his capture. The story takes many an interesting twist and turn which had my full attention.All in all a very entertaining book. Buy it!
Robert Sinclair –
A fascinating, engaging and well researched read.
As a fan of true crime I specifically chose this book so that I might become more knowledgeable about works of art and peripheral subjects, every time a work of art or a museum was mentioned I turned to Wikipedia. I also chose this book because I had read another interesting work (Stranger in the Woods) by the same author. This book did not disappoint, a fascinating read.
Linda H –
A great read. Well written and researched. An unbelievable story!
Mr. Wd Hoey –
If you know anyone with a brass neck as brassy as this guy , read this !Excellent quirky read , highly recommended
George Barry Pagett –
Muy buen libro, historia real, sobre algo que me gusta. El arte.
Wolf –
leichtes lesen ,Beach etc …
BJ –
A beautifully portrayed horrific true life storyâ¦must read.. made my blood boil till the very end, the author deserves a standing ovation.