National Treasures

Geeks triumph over the forces of darkness: nothing could have given me greater pleasure. Combining an exciting story with scrupulous research, Caroline Shenton has done her unlikely heroes proud – Lucy WorsleyAn engrossing and uplifting story of how some of the greatest treasures of Britains museum, gallery and library collections were protected and preserved during the darkest days of WWII – Richard Ovenden, author of Burning the BooksAn engrossing and uplifting story of how some of the greatest treasures of Britains museum, gallery and library collections were protected and preserved during the darkest days of WWII – Richard Ovenden, author of Burning the BooksShenton has the archivist’s unerring eye for detail and the storyteller’s instinct for what will make a compelling tale. It is brought to life with energy and confidence – Julie Summers, bestselling author of JambustersEntertaining, surprising and full of brilliant vignettes, Shenton does justice to one of the great untold stories of the Second World War – Josh Ireland, author of Churchill & SonFascinating, engaging and often eye-stretching, Caroline Shenton’s account of the battle to save the nation’s greatest treasures during wartime features a wonderfully eclectic cast of oddballs, bluestockings and endearingly eccentric aristocrats. A cracking read – Giles MiltonShenton manages to combine scholarly and diligent research with a powerful narrative drive and a hugely entertaining taste for the anecdotal. Moreover, her cast of characters wouldn’t disgrace an Ealing comedy. I haven’t enjoyed a book so much in years – Adrian TinniswoodReveals the wonderfully inventive ways Britain’s great museums hid their priceless exhibits from Hitler’s bombs – Daily MailVigorously researched and highly entertaining – Daily Telegraph

Dr Caroline Shenton was Director of the Parliamentary Archives at Westminster, where she worked for eighteen years. Prior to this she was a senior archivist at the National Archives, and she is currently a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Historical Society. Caroline has written for the Guardian, The London Review of Books, and reviewed books for The Spectator.