Overview

This is a book about authentic fakes, admirable forgeries, and imagined representations of tainted reality: things that are less than meet the eye. Through nine questionable cultural treasures, readers meet those who make, sell, and buy fakes, and through these, explore their own views about what's real, what's fake, and why they should care.

Full Product Details

9781442274433

Table of Contents

Reviews

Once again, Nancy Moses has written about a subject that is both timely and timeless. She takes the reader on a journey that spans centuries and continents and provides a lively narrative about some of history's most revered and iconic masterworks. This deeply researched book contains many surprises about the practitioners of the art of deception. She also pays tribute to the dedicated professionals--curators, connoisseurs and security specialists--who have sustained the integrity of our most trusted cultural institutions.--Brent D. Glass, Director Emeritus, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Author, 50 Great American Places, Essential Historic Sites Across the US. With a lively diversity of case studies examined, from paintings to literature, from ancient manuscripts to bones, Moses' book offers a wonderful introduction to a subject that fascinates.--Noah Charney, Phd, professor specializing in art crime and founder of ARCA (Association for Research into Crimes against Art) Identifying fake Jackson Pollock paintings (he was harder to imitate than you might think), discovering the truth behind Nuremberg's medieval buildings (actually, only seventy years old), and learning how a fraudster passed off an entire play as the work of William Shakespeare... these are some of the true tales I loved in Fakes, Forgeries and Frauds. And, be totally honest, I wouldn't have guessed how fascinating these stories could be until I read this engaging book. But Nancy Moses knew. So she toured the world to sift fakes from facts and then wrote this provocative collection of essays that will surely become a favorite for art connoisseurs and novices.--Keith Talbot, George Foster Peabody Award-Winning radio and television producer Expect nothing less than a tour of cultural reality in this marvelously conceived and riveting book about fakes, forgeries, and frauds. Who does them? How do we discover them? Nancy Moses assumes the role of detective, guiding us through extraordinary stories of deception, revealing methods and motives, meanings and miracles, and asking us why we should care about authenticity in the first place. Prepare for a ride through art and politics from antiquity to the present. Hold tight, for it's a mesmerizing journey.--Carol Loeb Shloss, Stanford University

Once again, Nancy Moses has written about a subject that is both timely and timeless. She takes the reader on a journey that spans centuries and continents and provides a lively narrative about some of history's most revered and iconic masterworks. This deeply researched book contains many surprises about the practitioners of the art of deception. She also pays tribute to the dedicated professionals--curators, connoisseurs and security specialists--who have sustained the integrity of our most trusted cultural institutions.--Brent D. Glass, Director Emeritus, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Author, 50 Great American Places, Essential Historic Sites Across the US. Identifying fake Jackson Pollock paintings (he was harder to imitate than you might think), discovering the truth behind Nuremberg's medieval buildings (actually, only seventy years old), and learning how a fraudster passed off an entire play as the work of William Shakespeare....these are some of the true tales I loved in Fakes, Forgeries and Frauds, . And, be totally honest, I wouldn't have guessed how fascinating these stories could be until I read this engaging book. But Nancy Moses knew. So she toured the world to sift fakes from facts and then wrote this provocative collection of essays that will surely become a favorite for art connoisseurs and novices.--Keith Talbot, George Foster Peabody Award-Winning radio and television producer With a lively diversity of case studies examined, from paintings to literature, from ancient manuscripts to bones, Moses' book offers a wonderful introduction to a subject that fascinates, whether we like it or not because, to be frank, we do like it.--Noah Charney, Phd, professor specializing in art crime and founder of ARCA (Association for Research into Crimes against Art)

Once again, Nancy Moses has written about a subject that is both timely and timeless. She takes the reader on a journey that spans centuries and continents and provides a lively narrative about some of history's most revered and iconic masterworks. This deeply researched book contains many surprises about the practitioners of the art of deception. She also pays tribute to the dedicated professionals--curators, connoisseurs and security specialists--who have sustained the integrity of our most trusted cultural institutions.--Brent D. Glass, Director Emeritus, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Author, 50 Great American Places, Essential Historic Sites Across the US. Identifying fake Jackson Pollock paintings (he was harder to imitate than you might think), discovering the truth behind Nuremberg's medieval buildings (actually, only seventy years old), and learning how a fraudster passed off an entire play as the work of William Shakespeare... these are some of the true tales I loved in Fakes, Forgeries and Frauds. And, be totally honest, I wouldn't have guessed how fascinating these stories could be until I read this engaging book. But Nancy Moses knew. So she toured the world to sift fakes from facts and then wrote this provocative collection of essays that will surely become a favorite for art connoisseurs and novices.--Keith Talbot, George Foster Peabody Award-Winning radio and television producer With a lively diversity of case studies examined, from paintings to literature, from ancient manuscripts to bones, Moses' book offers a wonderful introduction to a subject that fascinates.--Noah Charney, Phd, professor specializing in art crime and founder of ARCA (Association for Research into Crimes against Art)

"By detailing nine case studies where authenticity is in question, Moses draws the reader into the intricacies of each case.... Forgeries, and Frauds is a collection of interesting discussions...The book contains a wealth of curious ti[d]bits with which to engage students at all levels.-- ""Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books"" Educational, informative, and intriguing . . . this book will appeal to audiences everywhere as the topics discussed are fascinating and the subject matter timely in a world of fake news.-- ""Booklist"" Expect nothing less than a tour of cultural reality in this marvelously conceived and riveting book about fakes, forgeries, and frauds. Who does them? How do we discover them? Nancy Moses assumes the role of detective, guiding us through extraordinary stories of deception, revealing methods and motives, meanings and miracles, and asking us why we should care about authenticity in the first place. Prepare for a ride through art and politics from antiquity to the present. Hold tight, for it's a mesmerizing journey.--Carol Loeb Shloss, Stanford University Identifying fake Jackson Pollock paintings (he was harder to imitate than you might think), discovering the truth behind Nuremberg's medieval buildings (actually, only seventy years old), and learning how a fraudster passed off an entire play as the work of William Shakespeare... these are some of the true tales I loved in Fakes, Forgeries and Frauds. And, be totally honest, I wouldn't have guessed how fascinating these stories could be until I read this engaging book. But Nancy Moses knew. So she toured the world to sift fakes from facts and then wrote this provocative collection of essays that will surely become a favorite for art connoisseurs and novices.--Keith Talbot, George Foster Peabody Award-Winning radio and television producer Once again, Nancy Moses has written about a subject that is both timely and timeless. She takes the reader on a journey that spans centuries and continents and provides a lively narrative about some of history's most revered and iconic masterworks. This deeply researched book contains many surprises about the practitioners of the art of deception. She also pays tribute to the dedicated professionals--curators, connoisseurs and security specialists--who have sustained the integrity of our most trusted cultural institutions.--Brent D. Glass, Director Emeritus, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Author, 50 Great American Places, Essential Historic Sites Across the US. With a lively diversity of case studies examined, from paintings to literature, from ancient manuscripts to bones, Moses' book offers a wonderful introduction to a subject that fascinates.--Noah Charney, PhD, best-selling author of ""The 12-Hour Art Expert"""

Author Information

Hon. Nancy Moses is an award winning author, media producer, and former museum director who writes about iconic cultural treasures and the provocative issues they raise. She is a fellow at the American University of Rome and chair of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available