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(); });
Snow Pharaoh
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear listening in noisy environments. I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. The range of supported formats is impressive. No more converting files! Adjusting playback speed has revolutionized the way I learn and enjoy audiobooks. I can adapt the pace to my needs, maximizing comprehension and retention. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Suicide Jockey
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊
Senior Smurf
ListenBook's library organization and book groups have made managing my audiobooks a breeze. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. 🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠 Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is a technological marvel. ListenBook’s support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is fantastic. I can listen anywhere.
ForumFlare
🏝️🎧 Escaping to paradise with a beach read – this app is my vacation in audio form! 🏖️📖 Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to connect with fellow book lovers. With ListenBook Pro, I'm no longer limited by audiobook length. It's a liberating experience! The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player. The app supports a wide range of formats. ListenBook is very versatile.
The Shield Toronto
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. 🚗 Long road trips? No problem – this app keeps me entertained mile after mile! 🚙📚 Audiobook enthusiasts, gather around! This app's exceptional features, from audio filters to robust support, have transformed my daily routines into storytelling moments. 🎉🎧
Show Boat
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh. The equalizer is a great addition. It really enhances the audio quality.
Skool
ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks! Adjusting the tone of the voice is genius. It's like having a customizable audiobook narrator. Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. I love the variety of themes available. It makes the app feel personalized.
Force
The narrators on this app are truly talented – they bring characters to life. This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
Dance Bloom
💡 Seamlessly weaving audiobooks into my daily routine – this app's functionality has redefined how I enjoy books. 📱📖 With ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become hassle-free, thanks to the various download options.
Toxic-oxide
📱 Turning my phone into a portal of endless stories – this app is pure magic! 📚✨ ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Romance Guppy
This app's user-friendly controls and sleek design have made audiobook listening a truly immersive journey. ListenBook is more than just an app – it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. The app is constantly updated with new features. The developers really care.
Daffy Neo
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment.
Winter Underdog
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores – this app is a lifesaver! Audiobook immersion simplified – this app's ease of use is a true asset. Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. The playback controls are so responsive. No lag at all.
StarStrider
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. The user-friendly interface and precise controls make listening to audiobooks an absolute delight.
DreamDasher
Simplifying audiobook management – this app's functionality is a true asset. No need to convert files anymore – ListenBook's seamless playback of various formats is a game-changer for audiobook enthusiasts like me!
Scrapple
ListenBook has turned my downtime into an opportunity for exploration and growth. Navigating through chapters is effortless with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and intuitive experience.
Whip 2T
This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is fantastic. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. Audiobooks made delightful – this app's usability is a breath of fresh air. ListenBook's interface is not just aesthetically pleasing; it's also highly functional. Navigating through chapters and controls is a breeze.
Broomspun
The library organization feature is a blessing. My audiobooks are finally organized and easy to find. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to connect over shared interests. ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used.
Texas Butterfly
ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Excellent app!
LyRz
The ability to highlight passages and take notes while listening is a fantastic feature. This app's library is a treasure trove – I'm always discovering new favorites. I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. 🎶📚 Replacing tunes with stories – my house is alive with the sound of narration! 🎧🏠 Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thanks, ListenBook!
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