Fireside Readers Book Discussion Group

Fireside Readers Book Discussion Group

On September 13^th the book group will meet to discuss the book The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World’s Largest Unsolved Art Theft by Ulrich Boser. The following is a brief description of the Boser’s story.

In the early morning hours of March 18, 1990, thieves posing as cops entered Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and left with a haul unrivaled in the art world, including three Rembrandts and a Vermeer, valued today at $600 million. Boser, a contributing editor at U.S. News and World Report, turned amateur sleuth after the death of a legendary independent fine arts claims adjuster, Harold Smith, who was haunted by the Gardner robbery. Boser carried on Smith’s work, pursuing leads as varied as the Boston mob and the IRA. Along the way, he visited felons—including the notorious art thief Myles Connor—and Bob Wittman, the FBI’s only art theft undercover agent. Boser’s rousing account of his years spent collecting clues large and small is entertaining enough to make readers almost forget that, after 18 years, the paintings have still not been found: the museum is offering a $5 million reward for information leading to their return.

The group meets on the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Community room. As always, new members and guests are always welcome. Join us, even if you haven’t finished the book! Light refreshments will be served. Stay up to date with the Fireside Readers by visiting our web page. http://www.wayne.uakron.edu/library/fi reside.php