Join us for a special event with author, Thomas Harding,  as he discusses his latest book, “The Einstein Vendetta.”

A unit of German soldiers arrives at a villa near Florence. Villa Il Focardo is home to Robert Einstein, cousin to the most famous scientist in the world, Albert Einstein – a prominent enemy of the Nazi regime. Having renounced his German citizenship a decade earlier, Albert’s safely in America, well beyond Hitler’s reach.  The same is not true for his cousin.  Twelve hours after arriving, the soldiers have vanished – and a family is dead. This crime – and what happened next – still haunts those who survived.

Who ordered it? Who was involved? And why did they get away with it?  This is the untold story of the Einstein vendetta.

In conversation with Oliviero Pesce, a close friend of Paola and Lorenza Mazzetti, who moved in with Robert Einstein’s family and survived this tragedy, Harding will delve into the gripping tale of an unsolved murder set against the extraordinary backdrop of Nazi-occupied Florence during World War II.

“Can’t express how moved I am.  The Einstein Vendetta …Remarkable. Totally compelling.” — Edmund de Waal

“The narrative drive of a great novelist and the meticulous research of a great historian.” — The Herald

Thomas will discuss all aspects of writing his latest book; the inspiration, the research and preparation, highlighting some of the chapters and characters, and gradually unveiling some of the key elements of an until-now untold true crime.

Thomas will also be signing books on the night for anyone who wishes to make a purchase.

Drinks and nibbles will be served.

Limited places so an early RSVP is advisable.

About Thomas Harding

Thomas Harding is a bestselling author whose books have been translated into more than 16 languages. He has written for the Sunday Times, the Washington Post and the Guardian, among other publications. He is the author of HANNS AND RUDOLF, which won the JQ-Wingate Prize for Non-Fiction; THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE, which was shortlisted for the Costa Biography Award; BLOOD ON THE PAGE, which won the Crime Writers’ Association “Golden Dagger Award for Non-Fiction” and FUTURE HISTORY, which was shortlisted for the German Children’s Literature Award 2021. His last book, WHITE DEBT, was published in January 2022.

About Oliviero Pesce           

Oliviero Pesce, born in Puglia in 1938, has had a long banking career, working at the World Bank, the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, financial and investment companies, the Consorzio di Credito per le Opere Pubbliche (Crediop) and has been CEO of foreign banks, operating in numerous countries. Translator of texts on economics and economic history, but also translator and author of poetry collections, he has written numerous essays on banking and economic topics and historical essays. He has held university courses in International Management and is a member of the Istituto Affari Internazionali. In 2023, he wrote a book on the history of the Bank of Italy and the evolution of its capital (C’era una volta la Banca d’Italia. Storia del Capitale dell’Istituto), published by Passigli, of Florence.

Oliviero is a close friend of Paola and Lorenza Mazzetti, who, in 1927, were entrusted to their aunt, Nina Mazzetti, and her husband, Robert Einstein, by their father. They witnessed the tragic events that unfolded in their home in 1944.