Pollak's Arm

This intense and exciting book brings back to life the voice of Ludwig Pollak who, when confronted with Nazi-occupied Rome's grim reality, powerfully conveys a taste for collecting, the pleasure of erudition, and an unshakeable faith in culture. This period of European history-remarkably captured here by Hans von Trotha-still has much to tell us. -Salvatore Settis, chairman of the Louvre Museum Scientific Council and author of Laocooen and If Venice Dies Hans von Trotha has composed a small jewel of a novel. Set as the Holocaust reaches Rome in October 1943, it quietly evokes an archaeologist's reflections on a European life of scholarship and art. The result is physical death for him and his family. Yet this book offers vivid testimony of his words and actions in defense of humane culture against barbarism. -R. J. B. Bosworth, author of Mussolini and The Oxford Handbook of Fascism This enthralling novel describes an undying passion for antiquity with an underlying theme of great poignancy. A great read. -Philippe de Montebello, former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art A book every traveler to Rome should put in their luggage. -Markische Oderzeitung Exciting and extremely moving. -Westdeutscher Rundfunk Something special, that is, above all, something that will stimulate your thoughts ... The book is a treasure trove for those interested in art history ... With an intensely packed narrative, the very substantial novel deserves to be read twice. -Literatur Kritik