Bruno Lohse was born in 1911. He worked as an art dealer in Berlin prior to the onset of World War II. Lohse ultimately joined the SS in 1933, and was subsequently drafted into the Luftwaffe. He officially joined the Nazi Party in 1937. His close proximity to Hermann Goring allowed him to be elevated to the position of working inside the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg. This was a special unit that appropriated (stole) cultural artifacts and artwork from those "undesirables" on the Nazi's target lists. In this capacity, he helped supply both Goring and Hitler with prized artworks and other collectables. He was imprisoned in the aftermath of World War II and tried for his crimes of looting and dealing in stolen items, but was able to continue on with his art dealings later in life. Lohse died in 2007.

This book was extremely interesting. It is commonly known that the Nazis and regular citizens stole from the apartments and homes of those who were abducted and deported by the Nazis. Those who were taken to concentration camps had their items stolen and sold as well- down to the gold in their teeth. The theft and crimes against humanity that were perpetrated during World War II are exceptional. It is staggering to consider how many precious artworks and artifacts have vanished or have been destroyed because of this. I enjoyed reading the Monuments Men book, and this book was suggested to me because Lohse was investigated by, and later friends with, some of the Monuments Men. If you are interested in this particular subject or in art history, I think you would enjoy this book.