Welcome to another bonus episode of Calm History, an extra treat for my Silk Plus members.

If you enjoyed my prior episode about the history of salt and salt mines,

then get ready for an amazing true story that involves a bunch of salt mines,

as well as Hitler, Rembrandt, Michael Angelo, King Charlemagne, Beethoven, George Clooney, Kate Blanchett, Bill Murray, Matt Damon, John Goodman,

unstable nitroglycerin, and $12 billion worth of gold.

That's right.

You're going to hear the fascinating story of how and why Hitler stole art during World War II

and hit it in various salt mines.

But this isn't a story focused on a bad man doing bad things.

This is a story about good people doing good things.

This episode is really about hundreds of men and women who found those salt mines, rescued that

stolen art, and helped to return it to its rightful owners.

If you've seen the movie Monuments Men,

then you already know about this inspirational and uplifting true story.

And of course, I'll also dissect the Monuments Men movie to reveal which aspects

were true to history and which aspects were absolutely bunky bunk and wonky fiddles.

The Monuments Men movie is currently streaming on Netflix in the U.S., so feel free to watch it after you listen.

All right, lean back, close your eyes, and settle into my Time Machine of Tranillity. I hope this episode distracts and relaxes

your overactive brain squirrels. The History of Salt Mines and Nazi Lute. Something you'll hear me say in this episode that may shock you

is that Adolf Hitler valued art more than he valued gold.

To understand the deep reason behind that,

I need to tell you about the youth of Hitler.

...