Used. Hardcover. Michael Gross pulls back the velvet ropes on the Metropolitan Museum of Art to expose the magnificent misbehavior lurking behind centuries of philanthropy and high-society posturing. This unauthorized history swaps sterile curation for scandal, tracing how robber barons, forged relics, and cutthroat collectors transmuted deadly sins into priceless cultural treasure. From J. P. Morgan's boardroom maneuvers to the chaotic tenures of later directors, you will meet an intoxicating cast of acquisitive scoundrels and philanthropic puppeteers who treated masterpieces like playing cards.