Loot: The Heritage of Plunder

The plundering of other people's treasures is older than civilisation and as new as the most recent war. The French, no mean practitioners in the art themselves, have labelled it elginisme after the much misjudged Lord Elgin. Loot: The Heritage of Plunder examines the looting of major ancientcivilisations and of many Third Eorld nations. It ranges from the pillage of important archaeological sites in Greece and Egypt by conquerors, archaeologists and tourists to the fate of the Stone of Scone and other major symbols of nationhood , and the campaigns of epic looters such Napoleon and Hitler. The book also explores the differing attitudes through the ages - the understanding that 'might is right' or 'to the victor the spoils' is currently being challenged by the growing debate concerning the ethics of one nation retaining the historical treasures of another. Russell Chamberlin's book is a lively and informative exploration of the passion for collecting and its effects on the course of history. It will appeal to everyone interested in the past and its preservation.