Book · 2026 · True Crime
The Man Who Stole the Gods
A True Story of War, Obsession, and a Global Art Conspiracy
- mentions
- 1
- person
- 1
- podcast
- 1
- episode
- 1
- recommendation
- 1
On ridiculous crime, we have an interesting two-part interview with the author Matthew Campbell about his book, The Man Who Stole the Gods. And it's all about the Cambodian civil war, Vietnam, and some some, you know, art collectors who use that chaos to pull statuary out of places like Anchorwat and then sell it in New York and give.
Why people recommend it
The Man Who Stole the Gods by Matthew Campbell is an investigative true crime book that explores illicit art trafficking, cultural heritage theft, and international smuggling networks operating against the backdrop of historical conflicts. Zaren Bernett mentioned Matthew Campbell's book during an interview on an August 2026 episode of Behind the Bastards. Bernett recommended the two-part interview featured on their podcast, Ridiculous Crime, which focused on Campbell's investigation into art collectors and intermediaries who exploited the chaos of the Cambodian civil war and the broader Vietnam conflict to loot invaluable statuary from ancient historical sites like Angkor Wat. The discussion detailed the daring and illicit operations required to extract priceless artifacts from war-torn regions and funnel them into the global black market for antiquities. The book offers a gripping look at the intersection of geopolitical turmoil, criminal enterprise, and the shady world of high-end international art collecting, shedding light on a dark chapter of cultural heritage loss.
Every mention
Zaren Bernett On ridiculous crime, we have an interesting two-part interview with the author Matthew Campbell about his b… 1
“On ridiculous crime, we have an interesting two-part interview with the author Matthew Campbell about his book, The Man Who Stole the Gods. And it's all about the Cambodian civil war, Vietnam, and some some, you know, art collectors who use that chaos to pull statuary out of places like Anchorwat and then sell it in New York and give”
