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    The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
    The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
    The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
    Audiobook6 hours

    The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession

    Written by Allison Hoover Bartlett

    Narrated by Judith Brackley

    3.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    John Charles Gilkey is an obsessed, unrepentant book thief who has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of rare books from book fairs, stores, and libraries around the country. Ken Sanders is the self-appointed "bibliodick" (book dealer with a penchant for detective work) driven to catch him. Journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett befriended both eccentric characters and found herself caught in the middle of efforts to recover hidden treasure. With a mixture of suspense, insight, and humor, she not only reveals exactly how Gilkey pulled off his dirtiest crimes and how Sanders ultimately caught him, but also explores the romance of books, the lure to collect them, and the temptation to steal them. Immersing the listener in a rich, wide world of literary obsession, Bartlett looks at the history of book passion, collection, and theft through the ages, to examine the craving that makes some people willing to stop at nothing to possess the books they love.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTantor Media, Inc
    Release dateFeb 8, 2010
    ISBN9781400183432
    The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession

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    Reviews for The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

    3.5/5

    125 ratings112 reviews

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    • 2/5
      John Gilkey is a thief, but not a normal thief, he steals rare books from anywhere and anyone and anytime. This is the story of a man who criminally and repeatedly steals rare books, not to read but because he felt that they made him a more important person if they were in his possession. The narrative is by a writer who is researching a book about rare books and the criminals who market stolen tomes and reveals the rare book market in a strange light.I had a very difficult time with this book for several reasons. First, at no point anywhere near the beginning is the reader given any idea of the tract that the story is headed - meaning I saw no plotline. I was about 75 pages into the book when I figured that no plot was the plot and just went with it. Next, I wasn't sure whether the book was supposed to be about John Gilkey (the book thief) or Ken Sanders (who was a book security specialist) and worked to recover lost stolen books. I also did not like the way that the author/writer in the story kept trying to justify Gilkey's behavior or make it seem as if it was understadable considering his background. Lastly, when I finally decided that Gilkey was the center figure, I came to that conclusion simply because the writer kept going on and on with him about how he stole this book and how he would steal that book. It got pretty boring toward the end. Informative to a degree but definitely not a keeper.
    • 4/5
      A great read exploring the history and current state of bibliomania and the book selling industry, specifically rare and fine books, and the people who steal them. Particularly the case of a man who managed to steal thousands and thousands of dollars worth of books from all over the U.S. until a feisty and smart book dealer from Salt Lake City became the Security Chair for the ABAA. Fascinating cast of "characters"...I mean, you have to keep telling yourself that yes, these are real people! You just cannot make this stuff up. Awesome read for anyone who likes books, has any interest in antiquities.
    • 4/5
      A very interesting look into the world of rare books and serious collecting. Bartlett worked, not always comfortably, as an investigative journalist following the exploits of real life book thief John Gilkey. By interviewing him over a period of 2 years she presents a unique perspective of criminal obsession.
    • 3/5
      An entertaining read, but became a bit repetitious towards the end. Something a bit deeper, more philosophical, may have been more satisfying.
    • 4/5
      A very interesting, quick read. Makes me want to start going back to book fairs
    • 5/5
      You know, there's nothing like a little mystery and humor to get a Tuesday moving. THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH by Allison Hoover Bartlett is the perfect book to satisfy that criteria. I was a little hesitant about this book at first because the premise just seemed to fascinating to really end up being good, but the book held up quite well to the hype. This was an entertaining story perfectly built for book lovers that I would recommend to anyone looking for a good read.THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH is the entertaining story of journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett's journey to discover more about the notorious book thief John Gilkey and Ken Sanders, the book lover and dealer whose goal in life is to catch Gilkey. Beginning with a story and progressing into a full on book affair, this story is one that book lovers everywhere will fall in love with.The one thing that really made THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH superb to me was the writing style. Bartlett has an amazing way with words in that it's often difficult to draw the line between reality and the page. It's easier to imagine someone sitting there and telling the story to you than it is realizing that you're just reading words on a page. Her writing flows beautifully and fully engages the reader. It's not every day that I find myself acquainted with a book that I refuse to put down but THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH was one of them.We've all heard the saying before that books change lives, but in THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH, Bartlett shows us what that really means. Coming from a lover of books to a lover of books, the book hit upon every reason why I love books so much. It was like floating in a warm, silky cloud of wonderful bookness.I might be a little biased about THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH because I loved the topic and the premise of the story, but I think that even fans of regular detective stories or those just looking for a bit of entertainment will find something to love in Bartlett's work. Her character development is great and by the end of the book I really felt like we knew the characters personally. There's nothing worse than a book with a good plot, but lackluster characters. Luckily, Bartlett was able to create a wonderful book retelling her adventure and breathed life into the characters during the process.THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH obviously earns top marks in my book but I'm fairly certain it will for other people as well. Like I mentioned, I was unsure of the story to begin with, but quickly fell in love with Bartlett's writing and the story she shared with us.
    • 3/5
      Very much a book written by a journalist, and a journalist who insists on inserting herself into the story at every opportunity. Too much focus on the man's character, and not enough on what he actually did.
    • 5/5
      As a bibliophile from first grade, I understand the need for books. But until I read The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, I never realized how obsessed with books some people can be. This is a true story about Allison Hoover Bartlett and her journey into the world of books. Allison meets Ken Sanders who is the security chair of the Antiquarian Bookseller's Association of America. Through him she becomes aware of book thief John Gilkey who has stolen a huge amount of rare books. John has it bad and will go to any lengths to possess the books he wants. But in the end he is no match for Sanders and ends up going to jail where he still doesn't think he's done anything wrong. Allison Bartlett has written a book that many of us will find amazing. It showed me a side to the book world that I wasn't familiar with. What a wonderful book!!
    • 5/5
      What a fascinating book, not only that it was a nice peek into rare book collecting but that it mentioned so many bookstores and actual books (with value). Worth keeping as a reference.Primarily dealing with book "thief" extraordinaire, John Gilkey and the bookseller who was primary in putting him away (on several occasions, Ken Sanders. Spanning several years of interviews with the main "characters" and others in the biz, including FBI involved in the cases and family, it was an enjoyable read aside from informative. But PLEASE, ... do not try this at home!
    • 3/5
      Story of a man who stole books to make himself look better. Disappointing ending.
    • 4/5
      i liked this tale of compulsion. well narrated
    • 3/5
      This book did not have an ending, but getting there was an interesting and entertaining read. A third of the way through this story about two men, one who steals books and one who tracks down book thieves, it occurred to me that the title could apply to either one of them. Was the man who loves books too much the thief who steals thousand dollar books or the guy who chases kids down alleys for stealing used paperbacks?Unfortunately, this question didn't seem to occur to the author who set the title squarely on the head of the thief and made the ending all about how she had realized new things about her own life in telling the story. Not important. This could easily have been a four or five star book if the author had been a little less obtuse about human nature and able to make any statement at all about why one thing is right and another wrong. Or maybe she could have delved a little into what is "too much" as the narrative closed. The book could have ended two chapters earlier and been okay.But there is a lot of interesting history of book collecting and book stealing here. The research by the author into the topic was well done and well presented. The reader is able to see how this modern day book thief was so different in methodology, but so similar in motivation, to all those thieves before him. There are meaningful side stories about how successful collectors first got started and how some of those moved to stealing to continue what they started. The author also makes an attempt to show how the "victimless crime" of stealing books actually does hurt the booksellers and, in some cases, their families.I enjoyed this book from beginning to... almost end. If you have any love of books yourself, then this book will be worth your time to read, but perhaps not your favorite.
    • 4/5
      We all know about thieves who steal rare books so they can resell them for money. But what about the ones who steal them just because they want them? That's what we have here, a rare look into the mind of a hoarder who can't afford - or feels like he shouldn't have to pay for - his collection of choice. It's also about the amateur bookseller detective who caught him. I still don't entirely understand the desire to amass books you don't read, but this gave me a little more of a glimpse into that world. Recommended.
    • 4/5
      When I received an email from the publisher offering me a review copy of The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, I couldn't wait to get me hands on it. I just knew it was going to be a great book - and I was not disappointed! This is a modern-day detective story, a compelling true-crime drama, with a unique setting: the world of rare books and collectors. Enter at your own risk and discover the fascinating world of book collecting. Explore the motives of John Charles Gilkey, and try to determine what drives people to become fanatic and obsessive over their literary treasures. The Man Who Loved Books Too Much is a wonderful read - all-the-more-so because it is a true story. The story is cohesively woven together, using Allison Hoover Bartlett's alternating interviews of John Gilkey and Ken Sanders. The details of Gilkey's crimes are marvelous and shocking, totally immersing the reader in the mind of an unrepentant book thief and Sanders, his very own "Sherlock Holmes." It is inevitable when reading The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, that the reader will become infuriated with Gilkey and his idea that he is entitled to the rare books he takes, simply because he wants but cannot afford to buy them. He feels that it is not fair for a bookseller to sell a rare book for $40,000, because that puts the book out of his reach. He wants these books not to read them, but as status symbols. What he neglects to understand is that if everyone could afford to buy these rare books, they would cease to be symbols of wealth and prosperity.The Man Who Loved Books Too Much was a "can't-put-it-down" book for me. I read it cover to cover in a single afternoon and my only complaint is that the story is unfinished! At the end of the book Bartlett states that John Gilkey continues to steal books even today. I wish that the book could have concluded with Gilkey "learning his lesson" or at the very least, being locked up for an extended time, but I understand why this did not happen. The "need" he has to acquire books, and also to "stick it" to the booksellers that he believes are the real thieves, is really a compulsion. I'm not sure it is something that can ever be "cured." An extremely well-researched, fun and easy read, The Man Who Loved Books Too Much will appeal to fans of detective fiction and book-a-holics everywhere. The story is captivating, the characters, quirky and interesting - a completely engrossing and quick read. I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in the literary world.
    • 4/5
      I don't normally read Non-Fiction books mostly because the writing style is so much different than a fiction book and is often times a slower read. This one was no different for me. With that said however I actually really liked this book even if It took me longer to get through.I found all the rare book information fascinating and I'm not sure I'll ever look at a book the same again. I also learned a lot of interesting stuff, stuff I would have never given a second thought too before reading this book.I found Gilkey to be an interesting sort of fellow, even though he is the thief in question. I, like Allison, found myself wondering what made him tick. What compelled him to perform all these acts of thievery just to obtain this book or that book. In the end I don't think I can really understand why he does what he does because I'm not him. Part of me feels sad for the obsession that must drive him to do these thing but at the same time I also hate him for his selfishness in thinking he deserves to have these books at whatever cost.In the end I think Allison did a wonderful job on this book. I would recommend this to anyone who has a love for books, it really was an informative read.
    • 4/5
      A true story of a literary obsessed thief, the book collector who needs to capture him and the author who desires to tell the story of both and of other like obsessions in history.I found this story interesting enough to stay with it. How many of us have thought to ourselves we were becoming a bit "too taken "with acquiring"? This story gives a new branch to the bibliophile tree.
    • 4/5
      Enthralling and well-written. The author does a great job painting a portrait of an inveterate thief of rare books.
    • 3/5
      An entire book about the love of books, The Man Who Loved Books Too Much is equal parts ode to books, specifically rare books, and insight into one man's psyche. Mr. Gilkey and Mr. Sanders make for interesting, albeit somewhat stilted, reading. It is written about a love of books driving one's actions by someone who truly does love books. That love makes itself apparent in the loving, almost erotic, way that Ms. Barrett describes her favorite childhood books or viewing some of the rare books she finds. As she explains it, the love of books is more than visceral. It includes the experience of reading one and the memories associated with that reading. I wholeheartedly agree with this idea, and her statement that the experience behind reading is what will keep the written word in print form around forever.Unfortunately, this book is not without its drawbacks. Ms. Barrett describes Mr. Gilkey as someone who has found his purpose in life, and even though that purpose may be against the law, it makes him happy and gives his life meaning. She even tries to compare his life with someone who works in a dead-end job and has nothing in the way of motivation. It's an interesting comparison but one that falls short of the truth, in my opinion. Truly, the title of the book is a misnomer in that Mr. Gilkey does not love books, he loves the IDEA of books. His entire life has been fabricated around an idea that possessions make a man. His whole purpose behind stealing books is to build a fabulous library, such as those found in movies or seen when touring historical homes of the fantastically wealthy. He doesn't love the books but loves what he thinks they can bring to him - respect, wealth, status in society. Worse yet, Mr. Gilkey operates under a false sense of entitlement that it is not fair that only a select few can afford the truly wonderful rare books and therefore sets about to personally settle the score by stealing those same books. It is an interesting, somewhat disturbing philosophy, one that Ms. Barrett hints he learned from his family. Mr. Sanders, the hero of the novel, is also interesting. What is so intriguing is the idea that throughout her research, he continues to distrust Ms. Barrett and her motives. This distrust makes itself apparent in the rather unflattering light in which she portrays him. He's the hero but is not discussed nearly as often as Mr. Gilkey. At one point in time in the novel, Ms. Barrett mentions her struggle with not making Mr. Gilkey appear more sympathetic than he deserves. Unfortunately, she does not succeed in this endeavor, as she paints Mr. Sanders in a more unfavorable light than Mr. Gilkey. My biggest issue with this book is the author's actions. She loses her sense of being an impartial observer as she finds herself drawn to the mystery that is Mr. Gilkey's motives behind his thievery. As she starts to rationalize his behavior as well as her own in not going to the authorities when he discusses his crimes with her, she receives his sympathy, which shows very clearly on the page. I also took issue with Ms. Barrett's lack of ethics. While researching this book, Mr. Gilkey did share with her knowledge of several crimes of his, and yet even though she felt uncomfortable about her part in these proceedings to warrant discussing it with lawyers, she does nothing about her continued misgivings. In this case, she lets the story get in the way of her ethics, and I have major problems with her lack of ethical behavior and impartiality. Ms. Barrett waffles between telling the story of Ms. Sanders and Mr. Gilkey, often jumping from topic to topic and including her own commentary with very little bridge between the sections. It makes for very disjointed reading as well as causing difficulties relating to any of the characters on the page. These negative issues with the book are disappointing because taken as a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed my view into the world of rare book collecting. I would love to be able to own one or two rare books myself but unlike serious collectors, I would own them to read them. Even though I was disturbed by the author's behavior towards Mr. Gilkey and his lack of responsibility for his actions, I would recommend this to any bibliophiles as merely an interesting read from one book lover to another.Speaking of bibliophiles, Ms. Barrett defines both bibliophiles and bibliomaniacs. To me, there is such a fine line between the two that the differences are purely personal. As a book blogger, who devotes her free time to reading, where do we fit in among book lovers? Have we crossed the threshold to bibliomania or does that word only apply to serious collectors? Thoughts?
    • 4/5
      Short, easy read, but completely enjoyable. The little bits of history thrown in with two personal stories are what really make this book a standout for me. I loved the connection between the two. I also liked the question that Bartlett keeps asking throughout, 'What turns the book lover into a book thief?' or 'Where is the line, and what obsessions will make us cross it?'
    • 3/5
      Anyone who has made their way to LibraryThing is almost certainly fascinated by books. As members of that clan, LTers will find much to enjoy -- and be provoked by -- in "The Man Who Loved Books Too Much." Author Allison Hoover Bartlett delves into the book stealing crime spree and the mind of thief and con man John Gilkey. She interviewed Gilkey on multiple occasions over the course of several years. And she entered the world of rare book collectors and sellers to research her reporting.Bartlett takes a somewhat unexpected approach in her book. She examines how she influences Gilkey and how she comes perilously close to unwanted complicity in his actions. (It's a tenet of physics often ignored by nonfiction writers and journalists: no one can observe a phenomenon without changing it.) Gilkey starts to live through the book she will write -- offering possible endings for his character that will aggrandize him and bring the respect and recognition he craves. Watching Bartlett struggle with this is fascinating. Are her rationalizations more valid than Gilkeys? Is she as obsessed with collecting her story as he is with "collecting" books? Bartlett exonerates herself. Readers will feel unsettled and will need to come to their own conclusions. Including their own conclusions about what they would have done in Barlett's place -- and their complicity in enjoying the tale.
    • 5/5
      Meet John Charles Gilkey. Gilkey is a rare book thief. Obsessed by the quest to obtain rare and valuable literature, Gilkey toils at great length to devise schemes that will net him free books. Gilkey spends much of his time researching both the books and the shops and fairs they will be liberated from, and perfecting his distressing schemes. Beginning with amateur attempts at passing bad checks and eventually engaging in voracious credit card fraud, Gilkey's passion for books is only surpassed by his belief that he should receive these books at no charge to himself.Reporter Allison Bartlett is interested in documenting Gilkey's story, as well as the story of Ken Sanders, the "bibliodick" who has made it his job to catch thieves of this nature. Allison, having conducted numerous interviews with both the thief and the detective, begins to piece together the story of Gilkey and his exploits, as well as the story of Sanders, the man who always seems to be one step behind him. As Bartlett investigates the two men, she becomes embroiled in the heady world of book collecting and collectors, and sheds light on both the people who make their living selling the rarest of books and the people that will apparently stop at nothing to get them. A book about the love of books taken to the extreme, The Man Who Loved Books Too Much is at once an outrageous and unbelievable story about one of the most appalling thieves you are likely to ever come across.This was a sensational read in every aspect of the word. Reading about Gilkey and his literary transgressions was at times frustrating but was also very beguiling. I found Gilkey to be a ridiculously unrepentant thief, and the brazenness of his crimes caused me to have several jaw-dropping moments. He seemed an unlikely criminal, one whose charm and politeness belied his true intentions. When Bartlett begins meeting with Gilkey in an effort to better understand his motivations and compulsions, she, too, is fooled by his seemingly placid nature and overt good manners. It is only when Ken Sanders, the book detective, begins to weigh in that Bartlett begins to discover that Gilkey is in fact a profligate thief, so cocky and emboldened that he thinks nothing about stealing from the same sources time and time again, even after being convicted and sentenced to prison.It was amazing for me to discover that Gilkey had stolen hundreds of rare books worth several thousand dollars and that most of the time he got away with it. It seemed that luck was mostly on his side, and when it wasn't, he had a way of absurdly justifying his crimes to himself that left no feelings of guilt in his mind. The most interesting aspect of this book was the in-depth look into Gilkey's behavior and background. Through the interviews Bartlett conducts, Gilkey is revealed as a man with an extremely questionable family life and very flexible morals. He doesn't seem to have a filter between wrong and right and appears almost dim-witted, which is why I found it surprising that he had been so successful as a rare book thief. At one point, Gilkey is talking with Bartlett about his plans for the future, and he mentions the idea that each person in America should send him one book, to keep him from thievery. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at his absurdity because his comment was made with total sincerity. That is the type of person he is: comically short sighted and morally underfunded. At times I really wanted to throttle him, for he never seemed to understand the basic premise that stealing books is wrong and something that most people just don't do. Instead he had an overblown sense of entitlement and felt that he was somehow owed these rare books.I found it oddly humorous that towards the middle section of the book, Bartlett manages to become so enmeshed with his story that she questions weather she herself may be thought of as an accomplice to his strange schemes, and wonders just how she might disentangle herself from him. This book had a great cat and mouse quality, and the more I read about Gilkey and his nemesis Sanders, the more I got caught up in the web of this tale. Though Sanders comes off as a bit standoffish, he shows an amazing tenacity in his job as head of the security chair for the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, and does everything in his power to make sure that Gilkey and thieves of his ilk are caught and prosecuted for their crimes. Sanders takes Gilkey's attacks as a personal affront, and like most of the dealers who have been victims of theft, he is dogged in his pursuit of retribution.I really loved reading about all the aspects of book procurement and collecting that this novel explored. Aside from it being a story about one man's theft of rare books, it also highlighted a great deal about the love of obscure books and delved into the haunts one might frequent when going in search of these treasures. It was quite easy for me to personally relate to the collectors. They all shared a sense of wonder and fervor over books that they wished to possess, and it was wonderful to see the sense of awe that they got when something really rare came into their sights. Although I enjoyed reading about Gilkey and his drive to steal books, I found myself more enthralled with the information about the collectors and their quarry.I had never imagined coming across as aggravating a thief as John Gilkey, and I thought that this book deftly explored both the man and his crimes in great detail. The story was both humorous and at times troubling, but nevertheless I had a great time with it. If you are a book lover, you will surely love this exceptionally told story. It was a fast paced and extremely unique look at the world of book lovers everywhere, and a telling portrait of a very afflicted man. A great read, highly recommended.
    • 3/5
      Interesting to learn of the rare book world and to imagine all the lovely old and rare books. The story was interesting, but (unlike the author) I became less and less interested in Gilkey as the story wore on. Really, once his general life philosophy was articulated there really wasn't that much else of insight for him. I did realize through the reading of this book how I differ from the rabid bibliophile - and not just in craziness. This book was a story of people fascinated with seeing, having and owning books. My obsession, if you could call it that, is with READING books. I love the story, the transport to another time, place, life...
    • 3/5
      Gilkey is one pathetic human being. The author presented that pretty well despite their cloying coziness. While the subject was interesting, I don't think there was enough here for a book; too repetitive. Also it was a bit disorganized and every section was just a clone of every other one, covering the same subjects and tangents. She did make me think about my first editions though, all gathered without intent, and wonder if they have any special value other than as the books they are.
    • 4/5
      A fascinating and disturbing book. The author follows John Gilkey through the labyrinth of his twisted reasoning, listening while he justifies in his own mind his relentless thieving of rare and precious books. The author delves into what sparks a normal collector's passion, and the driving sense of entitlement that sparks Gilkey's thefts.She does acknowledge the difference between the dedicated, even obsessive love of most collectors and the warped logic of Gilkey's thought processes - but it seems sometimes that she blurs the line. So, too, she occasionally blurs the line between observing Gilkey and contributing to his ego trips. She even accompanied him as he strolls around a rare book store showing her how he cases the security, and how he identifies the prime book selections. It made me a bit uncomfortable.But the overall impression I take from this book concerns the widespread brotherhood/sisterhood of book lovers to which I belong. (English really needs more gender-neutral nouns) Bartlett writes movingly of the deep almost visceral anger of one of the store owners that Gilkey ripped off - and the deep hurt that the loss of a rare book causes another. A really good book for bibliophiles. Oh, and by the way, Gilkey is on the loose again.
    • 5/5
      I love books about books – not only do I think that the not-so-obscure references to other books and characters are a little bonding between the author and me (they’re not – but I like to think so) but they also enlarge my already too-long-reading-list.In this book the author shines a light on the world of collecting in general and the little known world of rare book collecting specifically. Ms. Bartlett writes her fascinating narrative while trying to understand John Charles Gilkey, a man with no real job and no real address and whose only passion is acquiring rare books by any means necessary.What makes this book, in my opinion, is the fact that Ms. Bartlett met with Gilkey several times, in prison, after he was released and even at a bookstore he stole from. Gilkey talks about how he “acquired” the books, boasts about his crimes and even tries to justify them to us – which doesn’t really work.Another compelling character in the book is a dealer named Ken Sanders who made it his mission to capture the person or persons who were stealing from California based book shops. This is no small feat in a business where admission of theft is akin to lost revenue (because clients won’t trust you to sell their books for them) and the amounts stolen as well as the objet d'art are of no, or very little, interest to the local Constables.The author peppers the book with anecdotes about past thieves and builds a very interesting narrative around a story which otherwise would make a meager subculture take notice, but skid on the sidelines for the rest of us.As a collector whose objects of passion have spiraled beyond his meager means to continue collecting them, I certainly understand Gilkey’s frustration (after all speculation ruins every hobby once it turns into a business) but I find his justification for stealing abhorring, nonsensical and immature. From what I gathered, Gilkey is a manipulative con man and a thief – not a bibliophile.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book tremendously. As someone who as wanted to collect books since she was a child but had no clue where to start or what to do this was perfect for my introduction into the world of rare books. A story about a man who steals books, and yet can't seem to understand the fact that he steals, and a book selling detective who watches over everything would be seemingly uninteresting; but it is in fact quite the opposite. I expected it to be dry being non-fiction but Bartlett has a style that makes you feel very comfortable with the story and the information, and it makes the story flow in away that makes it hard to put down.I recommend this book not only for reading but also to place on your shelf.In compliance with FTC guidelines, I won this book through the First-reads program on Goodreads
    • 4/5
      The title of this book aptly describes its focus. Journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett writes, first of all, about rare book thief John Gilkey -- his life's ambition to amass a collection of rare books, his illegal methods of acquiring the books he covets, and his self-justification for his crimes. Secondly, Bartlett writes of rare book dealer Ken Sanders, who, in his role as chair of security for the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA), collected and disseminated information about Gilkey's thefts and his modus operandi. His diligent pursuit of Gilkey eventually led to Gilkey's arrest and the recovery of some, but by no means all, of the items Gilkey had stolen. Finally, Bartlett contextualizes her narrative with stories of other book collectors who turned to crime to satisfy their lust for books.Before I read this book, I would have described myself as a book lover. Now I realize that, although I like books, I love reading, not the books themselves. I prefer to own books that I can pack in a suitcase, carry in a tote bag, and stack on a nightstand. I don't have enough shelf space for all the books I want to read, and I don't want to give up any of my limited space for books that are meant only for looking at, not for reading. Thus, it's hard for me to imagine why Gilkey is willing to repeatedly risk incarceration by stealing books that he doesn't read. Gilkey makes more sense to me as a career criminal rather than as a collector. I have the impression that, even if he didn't have a passion for rare books, he would still be a habitual criminal. He seems, in my untrained opinion, to have a pathological personality.I learned several things from this book. Firstly, stolen books are difficult to identify, making it difficult to catch and prosecute book thieves. Secondly, the penalty for such crimes doesn't appear to be in any way rehabilitative. Thirdly, if I'm ever in the market for a rare book, I'll look for a seller who is an ABAA member. Fourthly, any business whose employees have access to customer credit cards would do well to run background checks on those employees. Finally, security procedures may discourage theft, but they will not prevent theft, so when I hear of such crimes, I should remind myself not to blame the victim for a lack of vigilance. I highly recommend the book to readers of true crime stories, detective novels, psychological suspense mysteries, and book lovers of all kinds.
    • 2/5
      This is a piece of good quality journalism about: Bibliophilia, kleptomania, Credit Card fraud and the attraction of evil. The prose is workmanlike, and Mr. Gilkey is obviously not to be left alone in the library.
    • 4/5
      An interesting look at the world of bibliomania.
    • 5/5
      This book is the true story of a bookstore's worst nightmare come true: John Gilkey, the skilled con artist and thief with a severe case of bibliomania and a lust for rare books that he can never satisfy. The author, a reporter, meets multiple times with Gilkey and tries to get us (her readers) inside his head... but only those who have discovered true love within the yellowed pages of a well-bound book can fully understand his motivations, for he never stole for money, but for love. And as they say, 'love is blind', in this case Gilkey was blind to the high price tags! Also entering into this story is bookstore owner Ken Sanders, who was obsessed about tracking Gilkey down and putting him behind bars... for good. While this book is nonfiction, it is written in such an entertaining and endearing way that it will have you completely enthralled from the beginning to the end.