The annual Authors in April event to benefit the Pioneer Heritage Center at LSUS will be held at noon on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Sam’s Town Casino and Hotel.  The event will feature Robert M. Edsel as the featured author. Tickets are $40 per person or $400 for a table of 10.

Edsel has written several non-fiction books, “Rescuing Da Vinci andThe Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History.He is currently working on his third book, “Saving Italy,” which will be published by WW Norton in spring 2013. He is also the co-producer of the successful documentary film, “The Rape of Europa,” and the Founder and President of the non-profit organization, Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art.

As a bonus, Edsel’s, documentary, “The Rape of Europa,” will be shown at the LSUS Science Lecture Hall, Friday, April 13, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The showing is free to the public and students. Edsel will be in attendance to answer questions from the audience after the film. 

Edsel has a long history of philanthropic endeavors and he has received many accolades for his work, including:

  • The Texas Medal of Arts Award (2011) presented by Texas Governor Rick Perry for creative excellence in the arts and entertainment industry among Texas leaders and luminaries.
  • The Distinguished Alumnus Award (2011) from St. Mark’s School of Texas that recognizes achievement of exceptional nature in any field covering an entire career.
  • The Hope for Humanity Award (2008) from the Dallas Holocaust Museum’s Center for Education and Tolerance.
  • Two Emmy nominations for “The Rape of Europa.”
  • The National Humanities Medal (2007) for The Monuments Men Foundation presented by President George W. Bush, which is the highest honor given for excellence in the Humanities field.

He has also established The Greatest Theft in History educational program that includes resources for teachers to use in their classrooms and is a dynamic speaker who is regularly invited to lecture at prominent institutions, including Eisenhower Institute, Yale University, the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Archives and the National Gallery of Art. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Marty Young at the Pioneer Heritage Center at (318) 797-5339. 

For additional information about Robert Edsel or the Monuments Men, please visit www.monumentsmen.com, or for additional information about the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art, visit www.monumentsmenfoundation.org

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