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(); });
Corny
Apple Watch compatibility enhances my audiobook experience. It's a convenient way to control playback. Binaural audio processing reduces listening fatigue. Fantastic feature!
Snake Eyes
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Helmet Destroyer
ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. With this app, I've rediscovered the joy of literature during my daily walks – it's truly invigorating. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle.
Dez
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. ListenBook is a game-changer! Finally, an app that lets me enjoy my favorite audio files with ease. The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. As someone who struggles to focus on audiobooks, this kept my attention the whole way through. The narrator's clear diction and expressive delivery were perfect.
Classy Dancer
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's intuitive and user-friendly design. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. Playback speed and volume controls are top-notch. Highly recommend.
InsightfulInk
Kudos to ListenBook for optimizing the app for iOS 16 – it shows their dedication to excellence. This app's user-friendly layout and quick access to controls have made audiobook listening a breeze. 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 ListenBook's attention to detail in design and functionality sets it apart from other audiobook apps. I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
xSTORMx
I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. With this app, I can read anytime, anywhere – it's a reader's dream come true. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read. Listening statistics motivate me to read more. Excellent feature!
Bliss
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! 🎉 This app has turned my errands into exciting quests – I can conquer the grocery store while enjoying a book! 🛒📖 Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. 📚👏 I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Freeze Queen
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of literary escape. Bookmarks have become my study companion. I can easily revisit important passages in my audiobooks. I can't get enough of the app's sleek interface and intuitive controls. It's a joy to use!
Undergrad
🏃♂️📚 Combining exercise and exploration – this app keeps me motivated on my daily jogs! 🏃♂️📖 My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
Prone
I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates with my daily routine. I can't imagine my audio routine without ListenBook's seamless and user-friendly design. 📚 Who needs TV when you have this app? Every moment is a storytelling session! 📺🎧 ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever.
Bleeker
With this app, I've found a way to make long flights and road trips more enjoyable and enlightening. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. 🌟 Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? 🚗📖 My audiobook collection has never looked better. Thanks to automatic artwork and metadata.
Old Orange Eyes
I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser – a time-saver! I can't stop raving about this app – it's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Pink Hopper
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres – there's something for everyone. I'm blown away by how this app has made my workouts more enjoyable and my mind more active. The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
Loot
ListenBook's commitment to a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls is evident in every aspect of the app. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket.
Whip 2T
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. 🚗📖 Transforming traffic jams into opportunities for literary exploration – this app keeps me engaged on the road! 🚗🎧 Audiobook joy made simple – this app's ease of use is a true marvel. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket.
Mafia Princess
This app is my travel companion – making long journeys enjoyable and insightful. ListenBook's audio filters are a fantastic addition, enhancing the sound quality of my audio files. Audiobooks have never been this immersive – this app transports me to different worlds. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening.
Crash Test
📚 Farewell, boredom during ironing sessions – audiobooks make it a breeze! 👗🎧 The app's versatility in downloading audio is impressive. It streamlines the process and saves time.
Lilac Lizard
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my life so much easier. ListenBook has elevated my audiobook enjoyment to a whole new level – it's a must-have for any audio enthusiast. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Are Ess Tee
💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly.
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