Loot

Exhaustively researched and wonderfully dense, this is the sort of book that takes you ages to read and you don't mind that it does – it took me about six months, total to finish it. It's also dangerous for art fiends and museum lovers because it really highlights the massive moral gray zone in which most of those institutions operate. I love the Met, but what of the provenance for a number of its pieces? And ultimately, do I care that much, as long as I can go there and see such beautiful art? It's a book that makes you sort of uncomfortable, as well as teaching you an enormous amount, absolutely recommended for anybody interested in art. Or stealing shit to sell to the Getty.