Book description
“An uncommon book . . . [that] informs and enlightens. . . A heist story that manages to underline the enduring and continuing importance of natural history collections and their incredible value to science. We need more books like this one.” —Science“The best compliment I can give a nonfiction writer is that they make me care deeply about an obscure topic I would otherwise never have been interested in. That’s the case with Kirk Wallace Johnson’s The Feather Thief.” —Eva Holland, Outside, “The Best Summer Books”“A fascinating account of a bizarre crime . . . The Feather Thief is one of the more peculiar and gripping crime stories in recent memory.” —LitHub CrimeReads, “The Essential True Crime Books of Spring 2018” “Johnson succeeds in conveying the gravity of this natural-history 'heist of the century,' and one of The Feather Thief’s greatest strengths is the excitement, horror, and amazement it evokes. It’s nonfiction that reads like fiction, with plenty of surprising moments.” —Outside “A riveting read.” —Nature “A literary police sketch—part natural history yarn, part detective story, part the stuff of tragedy.” —Smithsonian“Within pages I was hooked. This is a weird and wonderful book . . . Johnson is a master of pacing and suspense . . . It’s a tribute to [his] storytelling gifts that when I turned the last page I felt bereft.” —Maggie Fergusson, The Spectator (London)“A riveting story about mankind’s undeniable desire to own nature’s beauty and a spellbinding examination of obsession, greed, and justice . . .[told] in engrossing detail. . . . A gripping page-turner.” —Bustle“Enthralling.” —HelloGiggles“Richly informative, with handy illustrations, endlessly fascinating and crackingly entertaining, The Feather Thief is the kind of true-crime narrative that gives Erik Larson's much-lauded The Devil in the White City a run for the money.” —Shelf Awareness“Highly entertaining . . . journalism at its best . . . If you know nothing about fly-fishing or tying, it doesn’t matter, as long as you like a well-written story.” —Karen Gallagher, The Baltimore Sun's Roughly Speaking podcast“Reads like a whodunit . . . I could not put it down.”—Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast“This is the type of book I absolutely love – one that takes a seemingly obscure topic and shines a brilliant and bizarre and endlessly fascinating light upon it. The crime itself is riveting, but Kirk Wallace Johnson’s portrayal of the crazy world of feather fanatics makes this an unforgettable read.”—Michael Finkel, author of The Stranger in the Woods“Captivating...Everything the author touches in this thoroughly engaging true-crime tale turns to storytelling gold. . . . Johnson's flair for telling an engrossing story is, like the beautiful birds he describes, exquisite. . . . A superb tale about obsession, nature, and man's ‘unrelenting desire to lay claim to its beauty, whatever the cost.’”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review“[An] enthralling account of a truly bizarre crime. . . . Johnson goes deep into the exotic bird and feather trade and concludes that though obsession and greed know no bounds, they certainly make for a fascinating tale. The result is a page-turner that will likely appeal to science, history, and true crime readers.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review“A remarkably compelling story of obsession and history.” —Booklist, Starred Review“You'll never look at a feather the same way again after reading this riveting detective story . . . [The Feather Thief] brilliantly weaves together Alfred Russel Wallace, the surprisingly shadowy history of fly fishing, conservation and the plumage of the most beautiful birds on earth.” —The Bookseller (UK) “A true-crime tale that weaves seemingly unrelated threads—a museum break-in; the development of evolutionary theory; a case of post-Iraq PTSD; endangered birds; and (above all) the murky underworld of fly-tying obsessives—into a spellbinding narrative tapestry.” —Mark Adams, author of Turn Right at Machu Picchu “A captivating tale of an unlikely thief and his even more unlikely crime, and a meditation on obsession, greed, and the sheer fascination in something as seemingly simple as a feather.”—Paul Collins, author of The Murder of the Century“A stirring examination of the devastating effects of human greed on endangered birds, a powerful argument for protecting our environment—and, above all, a captivating crime story.”—Peter Wohlleben, author of The Hidden Life of Trees“This gem of a book, about a heist of archival birds, is marvelous, moving, and transcendent. I can’t stop thinking about it.” —Dean King, author of Skeletons on the Zahara and The Feud“This extraordinary book exposes an international underground that traffics in rare and precious natural resources, yet was previously unknown to all but a few. A page-turning read you won’t soon forget, The Feather Thief tells us as much about our cultural priorities as it does about the crimes themselves. There’s never been anything like it.” —Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs jQuery(function() { jQuery( "#tabs" ).tabs(); });
Baby Brown
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can 'read' while I work! This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Roma Kabuki
ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app! ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's a true companion for all my literary adventures. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Bug Blitz
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play – it's genius! Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience.
Forger
Efficiency and ease combined – this app is a must-have for book lovers. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! Great app for listening to lectures and speeches. Highly useful!
21st Street
Audiobooks on this app have made my workouts more enjoyable and productive. 💡 This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts – it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. 📚🎧 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. My audio quality has improved dramatically.
Twiddle Twix
Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is truly impressive. Auto-rewind feature is extremely helpful. Great functionality. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
Pink C
This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into every nook and cranny of my day. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Take Away
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠 Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that sets this app apart. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Day Hawk
An audiobook lover's dream come true. So many options, I'm in heaven! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
TrinitySoul
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. Looping playback has taken my language learning to new heights. Highly recommended! Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. The app is perfect for road trips. It keeps me entertained for hours.
Duchess
Audiobooks at my fingertips – this app's ease of use is a game-changer. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. Solid performance overall though some character voices sounded too similar. I occasionally got confused about who was speaking in dialogue-heavy scenes.
AirportHobo XD
The selection of classics is a treasure trove for literature enthusiasts. ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. 👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
QuantumQuill
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. ListenBook's sharing options make it a breeze to connect with fellow audiobook enthusiasts and share recommendations. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Mental
With this app, I've discovered a new way to make my daily routines more enriching and rewarding. I'm in awe of how this app has made reading a part of my busy life. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
Plum Moon
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Magenta
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Very convenient. This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
RiddleRanger
ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. I can't get enough of the binaural audio processing. It's like a breath of fresh air for my ears. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend! The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Trash Pocky
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver – no more losing my place in the story! ListenBook's features make it the ultimate audio companion for any audiobook enthusiast. ListenBook's features are a dream come true for anyone who loves to learn on the go. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's robust features, I'm always just a tap away from immersing myself in captivating narratives. 📚📱 ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Flame OUT
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. The ListenBook app has transformed my device into a treasure trove of knowledge and entertainment.
Stallion Patton
Binaural audio processing on ListenBook is a thoughtful addition that keeps my ears comfortable during extended listening sessions. With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience