Book Club
The Art Spy:
The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland
by Michelle Young
Evening Session: Tuesday, February 17, 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Pratt Munson Library, 510 Henry St., Utica, N.Y. 13502
Join us for the launch of the Munson Book Club! We’ll explore books about art, culture, and creativity— with Michelle Young's story of courage, art, and espionage.
About the Book
On August 25, 1944, Rose Valland, a woman of quiet daring, found herself in a desperate position. From the windows of her beloved Jeu de Paume museum, where she had worked and spied, she could see the battle to liberate Paris thundering around her. The Jeu de Paume, co-opted by Nazi leadership, was now the Germans’ final line of defense. Would the museum curator be killed before she could tell the truth—a story that would mean nothing less than saving humanity’s cultural inheritance?
Based on troves of previously undiscovered documents, THE ART SPY chronicles the brave actions of the key Resistance spy in the heart of the Nazi’s art looting headquarters in the French capital. A veritable female Monuments Man, Valland has, until now, mostly been written out of the annals, despite bearing witness to history’s largest art theft. While Hitler was amassing stolen art for his future Führermuseum, Valland, his undercover adversary, secretly worked to stop him.
Reserve a Copy
The Mid-York Library System has 20 copies available for Book Club members through a local partnering library. To reserve, call the partnering library below (different for each book) and mention the Munson Book Club. You may pick up the book there or request delivery to your home library.
Partnering Library
New Hartford Public Library
📞 315-733-1535
📍 2 Library Lane, New Hartford, N.Y. 13413
Library Location and Directions
The Library is located on the second floor of the Pratt Munson Academic Building at 510 Henry St., Utica, N.Y. 13502.
Parking Options
- Main Munson parking lot: entrance off State Street
- Parking lot behind the Studio Building: entrance off William Street
- Parking lot behind the Student Life Building: entrance off William Street
On-street parking is also available on Henry Street on the southern side of the street only.
Building Access
- To gain access to the Academic Building, please call Library Services at 315-927-8586.
- The building is handicapped accessible at the north side entrance via a ramp that extends from the east side of the building (closest to State Street). An elevator is located in the center of the building.
- Please note that access to the Academic Building from the parking lot behind the Studio Building is limited to a staircase.
