The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson

4.02 AVERAGE

kayverly's profile picture

kayverly's review against another edition

5.0
adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced

pippinator's review against another edition

5.0
challenging emotional tense fast-paced
Horrific story with a remorseless perpetrator - just thinking about the specimens destroyed along with their information is gut wrenchin, and the curse of hindsight being 20/20 makes it even harder. I saw the author give a plenary lecture at the SPNHC meeting and it was phenomenal.

crsllvn's review

4.5
adventurous informative mysterious reflective tense

sunflower_13's review against another edition

4.25
informative mysterious medium-paced
This audiobook was engaging and informative. I had never heard this story before and there were twists and lies that kept me thinking through the book.
When Edwin got back to his room after stealing the birds and he was counting his haul, I immediately questioned that he could fit almost 300 birds in his suitcase even if some of them are small. When that was brought back later as a point of doubt in what he said happened that night, I really wondered whether he wasn’t telling the truth. Maybe he did have an accomplice. Maybe he was smart enough to know by pleading guilty immediately after being found out, the investigation would halt and not all of the bird skins would be found and taken.
elizabitch's profile picture

elizabitch's review against another edition

4.0
Easy, fun read that was up my natural history alley!

redshoes595's review against another edition

5.0
I was recommending this book for like the hundredth time and I decided to come read my review. Imagine my shock when I found I hadn't written one! I love this book. The history, the many, many layers, and the who dunit make for a mystery you will want to have all the details on. Yep, I think he did it, with his friend. That's all I'm going to say about that.

menageriemeadow's review against another edition

4.0
Normally true crime is not my usual genre, but as a bird lover I’d been interested in this for some time. Finally picked it up and really enjoyed this deep dive into the world of fly tying. Fascinating crime and a fun read

tammytfang's review against another edition

4.0
informative medium-paced

ghosty_reads's review against another edition

3.0
adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced

bigcitydreamer's review against another edition

This book was a wild ride but I really enjoyed it. Have already recommended to several others. Honestly so crazy it can't even be described, just go for it!

I do hate the selfishness of the people who don't care about preservation though.