![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLpV9jJ7-Y83W0mf6sH75m8J3hMnV3laPDGJLaXvNSQ4LkJxA2Ev4JkEqB6YpU37k1rMD9mF6UDEvW-yN25xkELGsjlxli2jp2ZVppTcFxCZcBA9A7c5b2ABGtCiuVONeT4nQaw/s320/Elgin_Marbles_east_pediment.jpg)
The Parthenon is an ancient building in Athens. It was decorated with many statures. However early in the seventeenth century Lord Elgin removed (ok looted) a number of the statues, that were eventually displayed in the British Museum. The book is a history of how the statues cam to be in London and the various attempts by people to send the statues back to Athens.
Hitchens is a great essayist when he has a cause to support. I say send the Elgin marbles back to Athens! (However, I will look at them in the British museum the next time I am in London.)