The secret histories of the world's most famous masterpieces

Caravaggios, Rembrandts, Monetsthe works of immortal artists such as these are indelibly imprinted in the public mind; they are priceless masterpieces whose beauty, artistry, and emotional impact have inspired admiration, awe, and envy through the centuries. Yet behind many of these brilliant paintings and sculptures are fascinating, unique histories. In Scandals, Vandals, and da Vincis, award-winning writer Harvey Rachlin relates in exciting detail how nearly thirty of these works came to be created and how they...

One out of every ten homicides in the United States takes place in New York City. The job of investigating these unending murder cases and bringing their perpetrators to justice falls to the city's elite corps of homicide detectives. In the dark and violent world of police work no other group commands more respect or projects a stronger mystique. Today one of the best of them is Detective David Carbone, the hero of The Making of a Detective. Harvey Rachlin, the acclaimed author of The Making of a Cop, enjoyed literally unprecedented access to Carbone and his fellow detectives in the 75th...