Priceless

How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures

De: Robert K. Wittman, John Shiffman

Narrado por: Mark Deakins

The Wall Street Journal called him “a living legend”. The London Times dubbed him “the most famous art detective in the world”.

In Priceless, Robert K. Wittman, the founder of the FBI’s Art Crime Team, pulls back the curtain on his remarkable career for the first time, offering a real-life international thriller to rival The Thomas Crown Affair.

Rising from humble roots as the son of an antique dealer, Wittman built a 20-year career that was nothing short of extraordinary. He went undercover, usually unarmed, to catch art thieves, scammers, and black market traders in Paris and Philadelphia, Rio and Santa Fe, Miami and Madrid.

In this compelling memoir, Wittman fascinates with the stories behind his recoveries of priceless art and antiquities: The golden armor of an ancient Peruvian warrior king. The Rodin sculpture that inspired the Impressionist movement. The headdress Geronimo wore at his final pow-wow. The rare Civil War battle flag carried into battle by one of the nation’s first African-American regiments.

The breadth of Wittman’s exploits is unmatched: He traveled the world to rescue paintings by Rockwell and Rembrandt, Pissarro, Monet and Picasso, often working undercover overseas at the whim of foreign governments. Closer to home, he recovered an original copy of the Bill of Rights and cracked the scam that rocked the PBS series Antiques Roadshow.

By the FBI’s accounting, Wittman saved hundreds of millions of dollars worth of art and antiquities. He says the statistic isn’t important. After all, who’s to say what is worth more - a Rembrandt self-portrait or an American flag carried into battle? They're both priceless.

The art thieves and scammers Wittman caught run the gamut from rich to poor, smart to foolish, organized criminals to desperate loners. The smuggler who brought him a looted sixth-century treasure turned out to be a high-ranking diplomat. The appraiser who stole countless heirlooms from war heroes’ descendants was a slick, aristocratic con man. The museum janitor who made off with locks of George Washington's hair just wanted to make a few extra bucks, figuring no one would miss what he’d filched.

In his final case, Wittman called on every bit of knowledge and experience in his arsenal to take on his greatest challenge: working undercover to track the vicious criminals behind what might be the most audacious art theft of all.

©2010 Robert K. Wittman (P)2010 Random House

Reseñas de la Crítica

"More realistic than The Thomas Crown Affair, more entertaining than Catch Me If You Can. It's hard to believe one undercover FBI Agent rescued so many cultural and national treasures......but it's all true.” (Jack Garcia, former FBI undercover agent and New York Times best-selling author of Making Jack Falcone)

Excellent story

The narrator voice was fantastic and the story gripping and compelling. I'm not an art connoisseur and still I could follow and understand.

Good story

It was amazing to me how little these art treasures were valued by the FBI hierarchy and how few resources were allocated for their recovery.

Thank you for your service and story!

A captivating collage of unique cases from an undercover FBI agent who shares his incredible life as a man who cared deeply about preserving the heritage, culture, antiques, and art from around the globe. All future generations are fortunate to have had this gentlemen and his fellow agents working so diligently on saving some of history's greatest creative accomplishments. A toast to goes to him and his supportive family for all they have done!

Enjoyed this book!

I really enjoyed this book. The flow of the story kept me glued to hear more. Had all elements I like, art, history and crime solving. Would love to see it made into a movie

For the love of art!

Any additional comments?

A wonderful look back at one's successful life of good versus greed. An amazing story recounting recovery of important pieces of human history and culture by a few FBI individuals and then small unit devoted and passionate about importance of the art. The message: it is not about putting bad guys in jail, but being able to offer current and future generations a glance into the past. A read worth listening!

Great story. I love art and history so Bob’s books are tops.

The author has an eye for detail, not surprising given his work. He is a great observer and tells the finest story. Keep up the great work.

A riveting memoir of cops, robbers and art

Wittman’s story about the world of art and the underworld that deals in it will not disappoint. Not only will the reader come away with an understanding of this multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise, but also the nail-biting story how one undercover agent changed how the FBI now views and approaches the theft of art.

Wait…it's over??

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Just as I hit the climactic peak of this book, it ended. It reminded me of when I was in Jr. High, I would write short stories…just to have my story end abruptly with,

Worth the credit

A very interesting story about a part of law enforcement I didn't even know existed. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

good story about largely unknown story.

interesting, good story. easy to finish. good narrator. wonder where things are now with art theft investigation