|
|
List Price: $26.95 Amazon.com's Price: $17.79 You Save: $9.16 (34%)Prices subject to change. Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Binding: HardcoverDewey Decimal Number: 759.9492 EAN: 9780060825416 ISBN: 0060825413 Label: Harper Manufacturer: Harper Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 368 Publication Date: July 01, 2008 Publisher: Harper Release Date: June 24, 2008 Studio: Harper Editorial Review: Product Description: As riveting as a World War II thriller, The Forger's Spell is the true story of Johannes Vermeer and the small-time Dutch painter who dared to impersonate him centuries later. The con man's mark was Hermann Goering, one of the most reviled leaders of Nazi Germany and a fanatic collector of art. It was an almost perfect crime. For seven years a no-account painter named Han van Meegeren managed to pass off his paintings as those of one of the most beloved and admired artists who ever lived. But, as Edward Dolnick reveals, the reason for the forger's success was not his artistic skill. Van Meegeren was a mediocre artist. His true genius lay in psychological manipulation, and he came within inches of fooling both the Nazis and the world. Instead, he landed in an Amsterdam court on trial for his life. ARTnews called Dolnick's previous book, the Edgar Award-winning The Rescue Artist, "the best book ever written on art crime." In The Forger's Spell, the stage is bigger, the stakes are higher, and the villains are blacker. Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Spell?Interesting, but many parts are boring. Seems to repeat the same things over and over again. Rating: - Book club recommendsMy book club read this, and even those who did not expect to enjoy this book found it to be engaging, enjoyable, and well written. Sometimes one thread of the story seemed too dominant, but all in all we recommend it. Rating:  - The Real ThingEvery bit as well-written and insightful as The Rescue Artist--a gem of a story from start to finish. Rating: - RivetingFascinating book. I love the way this author tells the story. He's so smart and witty, with a terrific love of language. It is a pleasure to be in his company as he guides us through the worlds of forgers, art and World War II Holland. A couple of things stand out. The story is set against the backdrop of Hitler, Goering and occupied Holland, and the time and place come to life vividly through telling details, e.g., "the Dutch had choked down 'roof rabbit' --dog or cat --" and "Germany ... Read More Rating: - wonderful!I'm an artist and I am fascinated with all aspects painting including forgers and forgeries. This book is a page turner. Dolnick's approach is insightful, intelligent and free of jargon. He's combined the history of the second world war with the current school of thought on human nature. I loved this book, couldn't put it down and have ordered "The Rescue Artist". JL |
