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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I had heard good things about this nonfiction account of a writer who stumbles upon an unlikely story about a major heist at the London Natural History Museum, and goes down a rabbit hole learning about the unique world of fly-tiers. And as with any book about a new-to-me subject, it was fascinating learning about the skill and cost that goes into this very niche hobby. But after a while, it became repetitive and lost my interest: if I heard the words Indian crow, bird of paradise or blue chatterer ONE MORE TIME, I might’ve screamed. I became somewhat invested again by the last quarter of the book when I thought the author was going to expose the true criminals and how this heist was pulled off. Alas. There is no real resolution, but I suppose the journey is learning all about this crazy world I knew nothing about and how these people are still grifting the natural history Museum.
This book was recommended by a bunch of biologist colleagues as a good book reading almost like a novel despite being non-fiction. Almost a year later I finally got around to reading it and I agree, interesting and engaging.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
I had no idea the world of fly tying was so intriguing (and insidious)! It was interesting diving into the background of this theft and everything that ensued afterwards.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I didn’t realize it was a true crime until about half way through, which then helped me understand the book better and like it more, but I wish, like the author, that it would have had a more ‘tied up’ ending. It seems incomplete, though I do understand why that is. Overall, it was an interesting read, and makes me want to visit the Tring when we move to England later this year. My 6 year old found the Feather Thief interesting when he heard me explaining the gist of it to a friend, and then wanted me to read it aloud to him so he knew what happened.
This book wove together history, ornithology, and true crime into a compelling narrative whole. I was sorry that it didn’t have a more satisfying conclusion, but that is simply indicative of the events as they transpired, not a fault of the writing.
I really do love this kind of book. It is what one might call a dramatised documentary in the form of a book with page turner qualities.
The author is a researcher and idealist from a very different field. Until he stumbled over The Feather Thief, he was deeply engaged in helping Iraqi refugees.
The Feather Thief is a young man who becomes obsessed with the old art of salmon fly tying. The author hears about him when it becomes public knowledge that he broke into a museum in England and stole hundreds of rare bird skins, just to use them to tie artistic salmon flies that nobody would ever use for fishing.
The book starts somewhere else entirely, because we get a thorough introduction to the history of our fascination with rare and colorful exotic birds. It all started with Darwin and his fellow naturalist Wallace. We hear about Wallace’s work and many years of exploring various rain forests.
In the 1800’s feathers and even whole skins of exotic birds became the craze of the millinery industry (hat making). So many birds were killed that some of them were on the brink of extinction when finally the Audubon society and other nature preservation organizations kicked into gear.
The story about the feather heist and everything that followed is very well told and we feel the author’s pain when he meets the fly tying community and realize how many of them are willing to set all morality aside to fulfill their feather cravings.
I warmly recommend this book, especially naturally to people with an interest in bird life, wild life preservation and fly fishing.
The author is a researcher and idealist from a very different field. Until he stumbled over The Feather Thief, he was deeply engaged in helping Iraqi refugees.
The Feather Thief is a young man who becomes obsessed with the old art of salmon fly tying. The author hears about him when it becomes public knowledge that he broke into a museum in England and stole hundreds of rare bird skins, just to use them to tie artistic salmon flies that nobody would ever use for fishing.
The book starts somewhere else entirely, because we get a thorough introduction to the history of our fascination with rare and colorful exotic birds. It all started with Darwin and his fellow naturalist Wallace. We hear about Wallace’s work and many years of exploring various rain forests.
In the 1800’s feathers and even whole skins of exotic birds became the craze of the millinery industry (hat making). So many birds were killed that some of them were on the brink of extinction when finally the Audubon society and other nature preservation organizations kicked into gear.
The story about the feather heist and everything that followed is very well told and we feel the author’s pain when he meets the fly tying community and realize how many of them are willing to set all morality aside to fulfill their feather cravings.
I warmly recommend this book, especially naturally to people with an interest in bird life, wild life preservation and fly fishing.
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
I love a good mystery... Even more when it's taken from real life.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced