One of the most recognized paintings in the world is that of Mona Lisa. The woman with that subtle smile has been seducing men for centuries - and she doesn't even have eyebrows! Fewer people know that she was stolen in 1911 and remained missing for two years. It was interesting to hear (I listened to the audio book!) how the press and the country of France went crazy. It knocked rumblings of a war right off of the front page! Humorists wondered if the Eiffel Tower would be the next target of thieves. I think the Italians were probably snickering a bit since in their reality Mona Lisa was stolen from their country.
So the book begins with the abduction. Security was a bit lax back then. If you do not like French history you might want to skip this book. I happen to love it. The book covers everything from suspects in the heist (Picasso and Apollinaire) to the story of Da Vinci. It tells about the kings and emperors who kept her in their bedrooms. What does that woman have that I don't have????
At the end of the book is the triumphal return of the painting to the Louvre. Not a book for everyone but it covered many of my interests, so I enjoyed it!
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