---

By turns fascinating, harrowing, yet ultimately uplifting, this is the story of the Nazis´ systematic pillaging of Europe´s libraries, and the heroic efforts of the few librarians now working to return the stolen books to their owners. In the wake of one of History´s most expansive cultural crimes, Anders Rydell shows just how much a single book can mean to those who own it.

---

"Rydell´s tale is a fascinating blend of intellectual history, detective story, and "restitution activism" that cannot help but inspire its readers." -LA Review of Books

"A chilling reminder of Hitler´s twisted power." -BBC

"This history can still startle and surprise us; that, as researchers ask new questions and follow new leads, revelations are still possible . . . Rydell´s passion for the subject is undeniable. Serving as a courier, he manages to convey the emotional power of returning even a single book to a grateful descendant who has lost so much else." -The Chicago Tribune

"Reader-friendly and a riveting account, the book deserves a large readership." -Jack Fischel, The Jewish Book Council

"An erudite exploration of the systematic plundering of libraries and book collections by Nazi invaders. Looting books by mainly Jewish owners, collections, and libraries was an effective way of stealing Jewish memory and history, as this thorough work of research by Swedish journalist and editor Rydell attests . . . An Engrossing, haunting journey for bibliophiles and World War II historians alike." -Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

---

Anders Rydell is a journalist, editor, and author of nonfiction. As the Head of Culture at a major Swedish media group, Rydell directs the coverage of arts and culture in 14 newspapers. His two books on the Nazis, The Book Theives and The Looters, have been translated into 16 languages. The Book Thieves is his first work published in English.

Henning Koch was born in Sweden but has spent most of his life in England, Spain, and Sardinia. Most recently he translated A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. He has also written a short story collection, Love Doesn´t Work, and a novel, The Maggot People.

---