This book was a long time coming, and worth the wait. Dr. O'Keefe takes the reader through this important field with magisterial insight and authority. He makes particularly acute observations on the Napoleomic wars and the attempts to preserve cultural sites at that time.

Most of all, this book is just plain exciting reading. As a prose stylist, Dr. O'Keefe ranks among the greats.

For centuries to come, this book will be crucial to anyone doing research in the protection of cultural treasures and of great interest to the lay reader as well. At least until the Deathly Hallows is released, this book is certain to dominate everyone's summer beach reading this season.