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(); });
QuantumQuipper
ListenBook's interface is sleek and user-friendly, making navigation a breeze. 🚗📖 On-the-go listening has never been smoother – this app's functionality keeps me engaged during long commutes. 🚗📚 ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my library look organized and professional.
Eye Devil
The app's layout is clean and intuitive, making it a pleasure to navigate. The 'Explore' feature has introduced me to authors I might never have discovered otherwise. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. 📚👏 Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and visually appealing.
Easy Street
I've become addicted to this app – in the best possible way! I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me.
Pinup Diva
💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 🎧 Navigating through narratives has never been simpler – this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. 📚💫
Bae
ListenBook's customizable audio filters allow me to personalize my listening experience – a fantastic feature. This audiobook app is a true gem – it brings stories to life with every click. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly – it's a game-changer. 📱 An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality – audiobook listening has never been this effortless. 📖🔗 I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Black Fantastic
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! 🏝️🎧 Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads – this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. 🏖️📚 Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. 📚✨ Navigating through my audiobook collection is a breeze – this app's intuitive interface and convenient controls have made my reading journey effortless. 📱📖
Bambi Wings
This app has made literature accessible and engaging for all ages. The audio filters in ListenBook allow me to customize my listening experience. Speed up or slow down playback—it's all up to me! Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a joy to use. It's a seamless experience. The audio filters to adjust playback speed and volume are a fantastic addition for customizing my experience.
Steel
Audiobooks have become my preferred way to unwind – and this app is my partner in crime. Audiobooks have become my companions during daily chores, making them enjoyable. ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. Organization made simple – this app's efficient management of my audiobook collection ensures that every story is just a tap away. Convenience at its finest. 📖📱 Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
ButterQuest
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content.
Boo
Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is a marvel. Say hello to audiobook nirvana! This app's user-friendly design and comprehensive features have made my reading routine smoother than ever. 🌌📚 I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Green Scavenger
📱 A world of books at my fingertips – this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. 📚📱 Binaural audio processing is a game-changer – my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like having a library on my phone! ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Z-Boy
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. I can't believe I waited this long to discover the joy of audiobooks through this app. This app has made me realize that there's always time for a good book. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
Dora the Destroyer
Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Manly Reno
This app's support for various formats ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks without any limitations. 🚗📖 Road trips have never been this entertaining – this app keeps me engaged on the highway! 🚙🎉 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Diamond Gamer
Thanks to ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks without the need for constant synchronization. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am.
Admiral Tot
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable.
Red Heroine
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study. ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use.
Bleeker
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an indispensable tool for my audiobook enjoyment. I'm amazed at how effortlessly I can immerse myself in stories with this app. ListenBook has become my trusted companion for literary adventures. The app's features are exceptional. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Sand Whiskers
ListenBook has become an indispensable part of my daily routine – it's my ultimate audio companion. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks seamlessly. Very convenient. This audiobook was an absolute pleasure to listen to! The narrator's voice was rich and expressive, perfectly capturing the tone of the material. I found myself completely immersed in the story, often sitting in my car longer than necessary just to hear what happened next. The production quality was excellent with clear audio throughout. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Pitfall
📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 The tone adjustment feature in ListenBook Pro is a novel addition that allows me to personalize my audiobook 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