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Art Crime:  History in Peril-Recovering a Lost Nazi Diary with Robert Wittman

Art Crime: History in Peril-Recovering a Lost Nazi Diary with Robert Wittman


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Robert K. Wittman chronicles the dramatic recovery in 2013 of the long-lost private diary of Alfred Rosenberg, who, as the Nazi Party’s chief ideologue, laid the philosophical foundations for the Holocaust. The Diary had been lost for more than 60 years.
A game-changing World War II narrative wrapped in a riveting detective story, this seminar draws on the personal experience of Robert Wittman, FBI agent, and art crime detective. Based on his bestselling book, The Devil’s Diary: Alfred Rosenberg and the Stolen Secrets of the Third Reich, this seminar will explore the history behind this stolen document and also discuss the importance of the protection and recovery of priceless manuscripts, rare books, and other documents. Rosenberg is known as the man who made Hitler into Hitler, and the diary’s long-hidden contents give us first-person insight into the Nazi rise to power, the Final Solution, and Germany’s brutal occupation of the Soviet Union.
Led by an art crimes expert, known in some circles as the FBI's 'Real Indiana Jones', Robert Wittman has recovered more than $300 million in lost and stolen artwork and cultural property in his career. He is the author of two books describing the cases he has worked on and his experiences in the field.
This conversation is part of a multi-part series with Robert Wittman. Each session is designed to be enjoyed as a stand-alone seminar or as part of the extended Art Crime series.

Robert K. Wittman joined the FBI as a Special Agent in 1988. As a result of specialized training in art, antiques, jewelry and gem identification, he served as the FBI's investigative expert involving cultural property crime. During his 20 year FBI career he recovered more than $300 million worth of stolen art and cultural property which resulted in numerous prosecutions and convictions. As a result of his unique experience Mr. Wittman coauthored the FBI Cultural Property Investigative Manual in 2001. In 2005, he created the FBI's rapid deployment national Art Crime Team (ACT). Mr. Wittman has represented the United States throughout the world conducting investigations and instructing international police and museums in recovery and use of high value asset security techniques. Mr. Wittman is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations including the Order of Merit for Distinguished Service-Officer Level, presented by the President of Peru, the White Cross of Law Enforcement Merit with Distinction, by the government of Spain, Director's Award for Outstanding Contributions in Law Enforcement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Robert Burke Award for Cultural Property Protection from the Smithsonian Institution, and the S.A.F.E Beacon Award from Saving Antiquities for Everyone. In 2010, Mr. Wittman penned his New York Times bestselling memoir “PRICELESS: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures.” His second book, “THE DEVIL'S DIARY: Alfred Rosenberg and the Stolen Secrets of the Third Reich” is a worldwide best seller published in 29 languages in more than 30 countries.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 16 reviews
75%
(12)
6%
(1)
13%
(2)
6%
(1)
0%
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Anonymous (Arlington, US)

Guest did not leave comment

K
Kathleen L. (Danvers, US)
Great expertise in history of famous stolen documents

All aspects were excellent - his flow of topics was well planned … His first hand involvement in these cases added an element of drama

K
Kris Shapar (Stuttgart, DE)

Guest did not leave comment

L
Lauren Topel (Chicago, US)
Art Crime

This was our third seminar with Robert and they all have been excellent. His knowledge of art and his experience with the FBI combine for some fascinating stories. He is also very generous with his time in regard to answering everyone's questions.

A
Anonymous (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment

Customer Reviews

Based on 16 reviews
75%
(12)
6%
(1)
13%
(2)
6%
(1)
0%
(0)
A
Anonymous (Arlington, US)

Guest did not leave comment

K
Kathleen L. (Danvers, US)
Great expertise in history of famous stolen documents

All aspects were excellent - his flow of topics was well planned … His first hand involvement in these cases added an element of drama

K
Kris Shapar (Stuttgart, DE)

Guest did not leave comment

L
Lauren Topel (Chicago, US)
Art Crime

This was our third seminar with Robert and they all have been excellent. His knowledge of art and his experience with the FBI combine for some fascinating stories. He is also very generous with his time in regard to answering everyone's questions.

A
Anonymous (Orinda, US)

Guest did not leave comment