In a secret meeting in 1981, a master thief named louis royce gave career gangster ralph rossetti the tip of a lifetime. Steve kurkjian will be speaking about his book at the cotuit public. As a kid, royce had visited the isabella stewart gardner museum and made a habit of sneaking in at night to find a good place to sleep. Its a spectacular mysteryboth because of the value of the pieces and the daring of the bad guys, says stephen kurkjian, author of the new book master thieves. Stephen kurkjian, one of the top investigative reporters in the country, has been working this case for over nearly twenty years. Master thieves is a treasure hunt the boston globe. Investigative journalist stephen kurkjian has written the definitive, revealing history of the famed isabella stewart gardner museum heist that took place 25 years ago. Kurkjians 2005 article about the theft of pieces of artwork from the isabella stewart gardner museum is regarded as the most complete account of the stillunsolved crime. In master thieves kurkjian reveals how the two criminal gangs battling for control of the boston underworld knew of the museums poor. In master thieves, we dont actually know who planned and carried off the heist that robbed the isabella gardner museum of several precious works of art. Master thieves and the art of the con the new york times. Now master thieves will reveal the identities of those he believes plotted the heist, the motive for the crime, and the details that the fbi has refused to discuss. Master thieves stephen kurkjian 9781610394239 netgalley. And why, more than 20 years later, did the fbi issue a press conference stating that they knew who had pulled off the heist and what had happened to the artwork, but provided no identities and scant details.
In the book master thieves, stephen kurkjian describes one of the most famous robberies in american history. Master thieves by stephen kurkjian washington post. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Stephen kurkjian to discuss book on boston art theft at the. As for the revelation about the identities of these master thieves, kurkjian s. As stephen kurkjian shows in master thieves, the museums inadequacies were. Mar 10, 2015 now master thieves will reveal the identities of those he believes plotted the heist, the motive for the crime, and the details that the fbi has refused to discuss.
More than just a summation of all thats publicly known about the casefrom the thieves false mustaches to the f. Masterthieves book discussion with stephen kurkjian. Norfolk senior center masterthieves book discussion with. Filmed on october 11, 2017 at the norfolk senior center. If youre one of those readers who demand giftwrapped endings to books, you might be frustrated by master thieves. Kurkjian explores all the possibilities and comes up with a plausible new theory of his own.
This book has the grit and intelligence of a lifelong gangster and the high tension of a midnight caper. A new look at a legendary art heist in master thieves by. Aug 26, 2015 its a wellknown crime story in boston. Stephen kurkjian to discuss book on boston art theft at. The master thieves behind bostons greatest cold case.
Master thieves is a fastpaced book that will appeal to all those who enjoy art, mysteries and true crime. Kurkjian writes about it in his book, master thieves. There are so many crimeworld figures with their fingers in this story that the book is like a goodfellasthe departed double feature. Thus begins stephen kurkjian s master thieves, a tale of one of the most brazen and expensive art thefts in history, still unsolved. The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist by stephen kurkjian isbn. In master thieves, master reporter steve kurkjian tackles one of the worlds great unsolved mysteriesthe 1990 gardner museum art heist in bostonand leaves the reader feeling like hes cracked the case.
Kurkjian will discuss his book master thieves, a retelling of the isabella stewart gardener museum art theft based on his investigative reporting as a boston globe journalist. Thus begins stephen kurkjians master thieves, a tale of one of the most brazen and expensive art thefts in history, still unsolved. Master thieves goodreads share book recommendations. The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist, stephen kurkjian, also points the way to possibly. The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist, critically acclaimed as the most complete account of the 1990 theft from the isabella stewart gardner museum in boston. For this book, he interviewed lowlevel criminals long suspected of the crime and he reached out to mob bosses. Jun 28, 2015 more than just a summation of all thats publicly known about the case from the thieves false mustaches to the f. He received the pulitzer prize for local investigative specialized reporting in 1972 and 1980. Master thieves ebook by stephen kurkjian rakuten kobo. Mar 12, 2015 kurkjian writes about it in his new book. Jan 30, 2020 now master thieves will reveal the identities of those he believes plotted the heist, the motive for the crime, and the details that the fbi has refused to discuss. Mar, 2015 stephen kurkjian, one of the top investigative reporters in the country, has been working this case for over nearly twenty years. The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist audiobook written by stephen kurkjian.
Kurkjian s law degree also allows him access to court documents that a regular author wouldnt be able to get to. More than just a summation of all thats publicly known about the case from the thieves false mustaches to the f. Master thieves minuteman library network overdrive. The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist takes a look at the investigations, theories, blunders, and complex web of the boston mafia that all contributed to the paintings being stolen. Additionally, he contributed to the boston globe spotlight teams coverage of the clergy abuse scandal within the roman catholic archdiocese of boston that was awarded the pulitzer prize for public service in 2003. As a kid, royce had visited the isabella stewart gardner museum and made a habit of sneaking in at night to find a good place. The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art. The book does not solve the mystery of one of the worlds biggest. Harvard book store welcomes acclaimed investigative reporter stephen kurkjian for a discussion of his book master thieves. In master thieves, he sheds new light on some of the gardners most abiding mysteries. In the three years since publication steve has spoken about the book and the theft at an estimated 200 sites including. Kurkjian s law degree also allows him access to court documents that a.
Master thieves, his book on the theft, was published by publicaffairs last year and received critical praise from the new york times, the boston globe, and the. Pulitzer prizewinning boston globe investigative reporter kurkjian worked on the story when it first broke, and in his fastpaced, though sometimes repetitious, debut book, he recounts the heist, the official investigation and his own probing into the case. The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist. Master thieves and millions of other books are available for instant access. Why would someone steal these paintings, only to leave them hidden for twentyfive years. Master thieves tells of the story and investigation of a real life art theft mystery. Stephen kurkjian, author of master thieves, says hed like to see boston bring the same commitment and resolve it showed after the 20 boston marathon attacks to recovering the art stolen. Gibsons bookstore is thrilled to host the pulitzer prizewinning investigative reporter and author of master thieves. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good crime story. Taking you on a journey deep into the gangs of boston, kurkjian emerges with the most complete and compelling version of this story ever told. These mysteries are the story of kurkjian s revealing book.
Master thieves by stephen kurkjian overdrive rakuten. Pittsfield awardwinning journalist stephen kurkjian will discuss and sign copies of his new book master thieves. Book overview the definitive story of the greatest art theft in history. A new look at a legendary art heist in master thieves by stephen kurkjian. Author stephen kurkjian, who won three pulitzer prizes as a globe investigative reporter, has pulled together a cast of characters that would make martin scorsese swoon in admiration. Master thieves master thieves audiobook, by stephen kurkjian. Pulitzer prizewinning journalist and author of master thieves. Mar, 2015 a new look at a legendary art heist in master thieves by stephen kurkjian. His book on the theft of pieces of artwork from the isabella stewart, master thieves. This article was originally published in the march 2015 issue of bookpage. Now 25 years after the theft, stephen kurkjian who was the principal reporter on the case for the boston globe for years, has written a gripping account of the stillunsolved heist of a quarter century ago.
The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist on saturday, november 7, at 10. Stephen kurkjian, pulitzer prizewinning journalist and author of master thieves. The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist kurkjian, stephen on. In a secret meeting in 1981, a lowlevel boston thief gave career gangster ralph rossetti the tip of a lifetime. Author and former boston globe spotlight reporter stephen kurkjian will talk about his new book, master thieves, which covers the biggest theft in art history. Boston globe reporter turned author stephen kurkjian.
Kurkjian upton bell collection at umass lowell libraries. Hes talking about the 1990 theft of pieces of art from bostons isabella stewart gardner museum, a stillunsolved crime thats at the heart of his newest book, master thieves. Why are works still missing from the isabella stewart gardner museum. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading master thieves. The author, being from boston and working for the boston globe helped to add a personal dimension to master thieves. The 1990 theft of artworks from the isabella stewart gardner museum was the largest art theft in history, carried the worlds largest. Norfolk senior center masterthieves book discussion. Kurkjian, an investigative reporter and threetime pulitzer prize winner, pens the book like a mystery novel, examining the scenarios that the fbi has considered over the years. Meet master thieves author author and former boston globe spotlight reporter and editor stephen kurkjian to speak about his book master thieves at dover public library may 23rd at 6. The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist kindle edition by kurkjian, stephen.
The boston gangsters who pulled off the worlds greatest art heist by stephen kurkjian. Security was lax at the museum, making it possible for two men, dressed in police. Master thieves, his book on the theft, was published by publicaffairs last year and received critical praise from the new york times, the boston globe and the washington post. Yet another booklength examination of the gardner museum heist, this one concentrating on the men of bostons underworld who may have had a hand in the. Pulitzer prizewinning boston globe investigative reporter kurkjian worked on the story when it first broke, and in his fastpaced, though sometimes repetitious, debut book, he recounts the heist, the official investigation. Kurkjian is well suited as the author of this book he wrote stories about the heist for the boston globe for many years, so he has an emotional connection as well as knowledge and research ties to the case.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Stephen kurkjian has some theories formed from years of investigation as a reporter and interviews with experts on art, art theft, and bostonian crime. Stephen kurkjian developed the characters and lays the groundwork in telling this story. Mar 10, 2015 master thieves author stephen kurkjian talks about the isabella stewart gardner theft the largest art heist in world history. Kurkjians 2005 article of the theft of pieces of artwork from the isabella stewart gardner museum is regarded as the most complete account of the stillunsolved crime.
1433 782 1527 367 160 284 634 1125 671 350 1040 1193 1544 667 166 100 1009 923 1407 67 642 1549 1505 1046 49 1127 686 136 300 123 659 1286 782 1427