Lost and Found: Heinrich Schliemann and the Gold That Got Away [Mass Market Paperback]

Caroline Moorehead (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1997

One of the enduring mysteries of the last century is the astounding 1873 discovery by the first modern archaeological, Heinrich Schliemann, of the lost gold of Priam, king of ancient Troy. In this book, journalist and biographer Caroline Moorehead explores Schliemann's extraordinary life and tells how he contrived to smuggle part of the treasure from his dig in Asia Minor to his government in Berlin. of photos.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One of the real larger-than-life characters of the 19th century, Heinrich Schliemann made his fortune in the Russian indigo trade and the California gold rush. He achieved his fame by uncovering the cities Troy and Mycenae. And if it wasn't the Troy of the Trojan War or the Mycenae of Agamemnon, as Schliemann claimed, the value of his discovery, in terms of archeology and pure treasure, is still indisputable. Like Schliemann of Troy by David Traill, Caroline Moorehead uncovers Schliemann's arrogance and his propensity to exaggerate, if not lie outright. But she's not so focused on his faults that she's blind to his strengths. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Moorehead, a biographer and journalist, focuses on the convoluted history of the finds German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann made upon his discovery of Troy, from the time of their excavation to the present decade. Based on interviews and archival research, her work is devoted mainly to a well-written and -researched life of Schliemann, drawing on original documents also used by David Traill in his biography (Schliemann of Troy, LJ 2/1/96), while taking a more generous view of Schliemann's flaws. The remainder of the book deals with the objects taken from Berlin during World War II and shipped to the Soviet Union, where they remained hidden in the Pushkin Museum until two Russian art historians were able to document their whereabouts (see Konstantin Akinsha and others' Beautiful Loot: The Soviet Plunder of Europe's Art Treasures, LJ 8/95). Moorehead has done readers a service by bringing together information on so many aspects of the tale of "Priam's Treasure." Presented like a good detective story, her book is hard to put down. For the general reader.?Joan W. Gartland, Detroit P.L.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (June 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140239502
• ISBN-13: 978-0140239508
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,893,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Schliemann and His Gold, September 13, 2001

By 

Ricky Hunter (New York City, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lost and Found: Heinrich Schliemann and the Gold that Got Away (Hardcover)

Caroline Moorehead's Lost and Found (the 9,000 Treasures of Troy, Heinrich Schliemann and the Gold That Got Away) is basically a biography of Schliemann with a long epilogue tracing the travels of the gold from Troy in the twentienth century, taking in its journeys through Nazi Germany and, ultimately, Soviet Russia. This section of the book is fascinating but the real meat is the story of Schliemann himself. The author can be a bit of an apologist for Schliemann but considering the vitriol that has been heaped on him in his own time and the following decades, a little defense is not inappropriate. The story is well told and quite exciting. Schliemann may be a hard subject to like but he is always fascinating to read about and this book tells his story very well. A short, interesting read for those with any interest in the peculiarities of nineteenth century archeology.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A thorough biography, but, June 16, 2003

By 

Ian K O'Malley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lost and Found: Heinrich Schliemann and the Gold that Got Away (Hardcover)

'LOST AND FOUND' is a very thorough biography of Heinrich Schliemann but the insightful discussion concerning "Priam's Treasure", post Schliemann's lifetime, would have been better suited for an extended newspaper editorial. The intricacies of Schliemann's archaeological methodology are not explained adequately and that is a shame. Moorehead mentions Schliemann's innovative use of ceramic analysis (potsherds) but fails to adequately define how revolutionary and important it was at the time. Moorehead does a great job explaining how Schliemann's initial foray into archaeology resembled the work of grave robber. If you are interested in Heinrich Schliemann the man, then read this book... now. But, if you are interested in the evolution of 19th century archaeology or in-depth archaeological validation of the Trojan War, then there are much better books on the subject. A good example of a better book on the latter two subjects is: 'FINDING THE WALLS TROY: FRANK CALVERT AND HEINRICH SCHLIEMANN AT HISARLIK', by Susan Allen.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a great topic, June 22, 2000

By 

Victoria E. Mclure (Lubbock, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lost and Found: Heinrich Schliemann and the Gold That Got Away (Mass Market Paperback)

Caroline Moorehead has written a wonderful book about a fascinating topic. She sifts through the legends about Schliemann and the gold of Troy and provides the reader with a clear and sometimes wryly humorous account of the events. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Schliemann and his discoveries.