The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
18 journalers for this copy...
Rare-book theft is even more widespread than fine-art theft. Most thieves, of course, steal for profit. John Charles Gilkey steals purely for the love of books. In an attempt to understand him better, journalist Allison Hoover Bartlett plunged herself into the world of book lust and discovered just how dangerous it can be.
Gilkey is an obsessed, unrepentant book thief who has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of rare books from book fairs, stores, and libraries around the country. Ken Sanders is the self-appointed "bibliodick" (book dealer with a penchant for detective work) driven to catch him. Bartlett befriended both outlandish characters and found herself caught in the middle of efforts to recover hidden treasure. With a mixture of suspense, insight, and humor, she has woven this entertaining cat-and-mouse chase into a narrative that not only reveals exactly how Gilkey pulled off his dirtiest crimes, where he stashed the loot, and how Sanders ultimately caught him but also explores the romance of books, the lure to collect them, and the temptation to steal them. Immersing the reader in a rich, wide world of literary obsession, Bartlett looks at the history of book passion, collection, and theft through the ages, to examine the craving that makes some people willing to stop at nothing to possess the books they love.
Gilkey is an obsessed, unrepentant book thief who has stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of rare books from book fairs, stores, and libraries around the country. Ken Sanders is the self-appointed "bibliodick" (book dealer with a penchant for detective work) driven to catch him. Bartlett befriended both outlandish characters and found herself caught in the middle of efforts to recover hidden treasure. With a mixture of suspense, insight, and humor, she has woven this entertaining cat-and-mouse chase into a narrative that not only reveals exactly how Gilkey pulled off his dirtiest crimes, where he stashed the loot, and how Sanders ultimately caught him but also explores the romance of books, the lure to collect them, and the temptation to steal them. Immersing the reader in a rich, wide world of literary obsession, Bartlett looks at the history of book passion, collection, and theft through the ages, to examine the craving that makes some people willing to stop at nothing to possess the books they love.
My sincere apologies. The book arrived about a week ago and I thought I had journelled it! It was sitting bt the side of bed ready for reading.
Interesting reading. Books hold a certain fasination for me but I could never imagine stealing them. Gilkey through Allison Hoover Bartlett makes it sound all too easy.
pm sent to the next participant in the book ring for their address.
pm sent to the next participant in the book ring for their address.
Journal Entry 4 by mafarrimond at -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, February 28, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (2/28/2010 UTC) at -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posting on to teuffi as next in line for the book ring.
Posting on to teuffi as next in line for the book ring.
Received the book on Friday. Currently finishing another book but should start this one this coming week.
Thanks for sending the book on mafarrimond!
Thanks for sending the book on mafarrimond!
I think this book is a very good introduction to rare books. I love books and understand the fascination holding one can produce (although I never had a chance to hold a rare one!). Gilkey almost made me feel sorry as his obsession seems to make him lose all sense of morality... but I could not help remembering that we all wish to acquire things we cannot afford, yet we do not steal them!
A very interesting read that actually made me decide to keep a book I wanted to exchange as I had not enjoyed it much, as it is a first edition (from 2009!) :-) I will definitely try and learn more about rare books, but I doubt I will start collecting them, I don't have the funds (nor Gilkey's immorality) to enjoy such an expensive hobby! ;-)
Note re the book itself: I love the way the pages sides are uncut, it makes you feel like you are holding one of those 'rare books'!
I have the next participant's address so the book will be on its way after this holiday weekend.
A very interesting read that actually made me decide to keep a book I wanted to exchange as I had not enjoyed it much, as it is a first edition (from 2009!) :-) I will definitely try and learn more about rare books, but I doubt I will start collecting them, I don't have the funds (nor Gilkey's immorality) to enjoy such an expensive hobby! ;-)
Note re the book itself: I love the way the pages sides are uncut, it makes you feel like you are holding one of those 'rare books'!
I have the next participant's address so the book will be on its way after this holiday weekend.
Journal Entry 7 by teuffi at nearest postoffice, Ring/Ray book -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Released 14 yrs ago (4/5/2010 UTC) at nearest postoffice, Ring/Ray book -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Totje2! Thanks again for sharing this book!
On its way to Totje2! Thanks again for sharing this book!
Journal Entry 8 by Boekentrol from Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Sunday, April 11, 2010
Arrived safely in my mailbox yesterday. Looking forward to read it!!
Journal Entry 9 by Boekentrol from Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Sunday, May 9, 2010
The synopsis of this book did not really make clear to me, what this book was all about, and that's why I got so curious to sign up for its ring on BC.
I liked it, the story of a man wo is little more than an ordinary book thief. He finds that he loves books a lot. I think ( and that is what the author also writes) that he just wants to show off, feel important, feel like he really IS somebody.
I mean, normally, when you cannot afford to buy whatever it is that you want, you do not go out and steel it. Wel, he did (does?).
I like the story, as the detective it is. But I got really annoyed by Gilkey. When you are cought, imprisoned, fined, you just quit with the thing(s) that have caused that. But he just kept going, stole even more as a sort of 'revenge'. For what??
Mixed feelings are the result: liked the book, but was at times very annoyed by its contents and mainly the behaviour of the main character.
I liked it, the story of a man wo is little more than an ordinary book thief. He finds that he loves books a lot. I think ( and that is what the author also writes) that he just wants to show off, feel important, feel like he really IS somebody.
I mean, normally, when you cannot afford to buy whatever it is that you want, you do not go out and steel it. Wel, he did (does?).
I like the story, as the detective it is. But I got really annoyed by Gilkey. When you are cought, imprisoned, fined, you just quit with the thing(s) that have caused that. But he just kept going, stole even more as a sort of 'revenge'. For what??
Mixed feelings are the result: liked the book, but was at times very annoyed by its contents and mainly the behaviour of the main character.
Journal Entry 10 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (5/12/2010 UTC) at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I enjoyed to read this book. Now it is off to the next reader in line. Wish you many hours of reading pleasure, chich.
I enjoyed to read this book. Now it is off to the next reader in line. Wish you many hours of reading pleasure, chich.
Journal Entry 11 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Book received today, thanks for passing it on Totje2:)
I'll finish the book I'm reading at the moment and will get right on to this one.
Many thanks for hosting this ring faerie-glen:-)
I'll finish the book I'm reading at the moment and will get right on to this one.
Many thanks for hosting this ring faerie-glen:-)
Journal Entry 12 by chich from Ibiza - Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears/Islas Baleares Spain on Saturday, May 22, 2010
What an interesting read! I didn't know that rare books theft was such a widespread problem in the book world. Now that I think of it however, it doesn't surprise me as it can be compared to art theft. I don't really think that Gilkey steals for the love of books. As others have mentioned he seems to steal simply to show off and tell the world that he owns this or that book. To me that has nothing to do with a love of book. He could be collecting paintings, I don't think it would make much of a difference to him. What surprised me most in this book is that many collectors never read the books they collect, seldom leaf through them and sometimes only look at them from afar. I understand that some of these books may be both very fragile and valuable but the idea of having a book around and never read is just inconceivable to me! ;) I wonder what these collectors would think of BookCrossing. A nightmare come true probably! :)
Again, many thanks for sharing this faerie-glen:)
I already have mrbaggins1's address and the book will resume its journey shortly.
Again, many thanks for sharing this faerie-glen:)
I already have mrbaggins1's address and the book will resume its journey shortly.
Released 13 yrs ago (5/24/2010 UTC) at bookring, Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Book sent to mrbaggins1 today, enjoy!
Book sent to mrbaggins1 today, enjoy!
Arrived today. Thanks for sharing, I'm looking forward to reading this one, but have a couple in front of it
A fascinating read about book thief Gilkey' kleptomaniac tendencies concentrated around the theft of rare books. This guy is a serial thief using mainly credit card fraud to obtain books from dealers. What amazed me about his story is that he seemingly got away with his thievery for years on end and only spend short periods in jail notwithstanding the fact that he stole books worth a small fortune and also defrauded hotels etc by using other people's credit cards. Did a quick internet search and it seems as if he's presently serving a three years sentence.
Thanks for sharing off to hyper 7 in Secunda whose next up.
Thanks for sharing off to hyper 7 in Secunda whose next up.
Released to hyper7 in Secunda, South Africa today by post whose next in line. Thanks for sharing.
Got it today, along with a 50 billion dollar note! (Zim dollars, that is.) Thanks MrBaggins!
What a brilliant book! I loved every word. Thanks for sharing!
Off it goes to klaradyn. Enjoy.
Arrived today. Thanks, hyper7. I'll read this and send it on as soon as I return from my holiday. Should still be within a month from now!
I read this book earlier in October but have not gotten around to makiing a journal entry before now.
I enjoyed this book, but in the second half I felt quite uncomfortable about how much the author was becoming part of the story. To my mind that is not supposed to happen in reportage such as this. At least she was honest about how she felt about being with Gilkey at certain moments.
In terms of book collectors: I find this quite a strange hobby. From what I've read, it seems that book collectors aren't always readers. They just collect the books as objects. Don't know why this surprises me. I wouldn't expect someone who collects teacups, for example, to be a connoisseur of various kinds of tea, or even to enjoy drinking tea. But somehow it strikes me as strange that someone would collect books and then never read them. (I also have a large number of unread books in my house, but at least I INTEND to read them at some point in the future!)
I enjoyed this book, but in the second half I felt quite uncomfortable about how much the author was becoming part of the story. To my mind that is not supposed to happen in reportage such as this. At least she was honest about how she felt about being with Gilkey at certain moments.
In terms of book collectors: I find this quite a strange hobby. From what I've read, it seems that book collectors aren't always readers. They just collect the books as objects. Don't know why this surprises me. I wouldn't expect someone who collects teacups, for example, to be a connoisseur of various kinds of tea, or even to enjoy drinking tea. But somehow it strikes me as strange that someone would collect books and then never read them. (I also have a large number of unread books in my house, but at least I INTEND to read them at some point in the future!)
Released 13 yrs ago (11/3/2010 UTC) at Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On the way to crimson-tide via surface mail.
My book #41 for the Keep Them Moving challenge.
My book #7 for The The Challenge 2010.
My book #41 for the Keep Them Moving challenge.
My book #7 for The The Challenge 2010.
Journal Entry 23 by 
crimson-tide
at Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
crimson-tide at Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Arrived safe and sound after a pretty long trip! Looks interesting.
Thanks for sending it, klaradyn.
Thanks for sending it, klaradyn.
Enjoyed the read, even though it was not 100% what I was expecting. I do agree with klaradyn in that I felt it was a bit "off" when the author became so involved herself, to the point of going to bookstores with him.
I'm not so sure that Gilkey actually loved the books themselves all that much though . . . he just loved and wanted what he thought they represented and how he would be thought of if he owned them.
And what absolutely staggered and amazed me was that when he went to pick up the books, none of the stores asked to see the credit card or asked for a signature. It was credit card fraud rather than physically stealing the books, and that is one reason that Gilkey did not see it as stealing. Apart from the fact that he has some type of delusional disorder of course. And his fraud was helped along by the booksellers who were totally slack with basic security practices.
Now off to bekoh.
I'm not so sure that Gilkey actually loved the books themselves all that much though . . . he just loved and wanted what he thought they represented and how he would be thought of if he owned them.
And what absolutely staggered and amazed me was that when he went to pick up the books, none of the stores asked to see the credit card or asked for a signature. It was credit card fraud rather than physically stealing the books, and that is one reason that Gilkey did not see it as stealing. Apart from the fact that he has some type of delusional disorder of course. And his fraud was helped along by the booksellers who were totally slack with basic security practices.
Now off to bekoh.
Released 13 yrs ago (3/28/2011 UTC) at Balingup, Western Australia Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted off to Bekoh as the next on the list for the ring.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
I am slack! I received this book weeks ago, read it immediately and then went on holidays and forgot to journal it. Sorry people.
I found this book fascinating. I was amazed Gilkey has no remorse for what he has done. It's fortunate his obsession was directed towards books and was not developed into something that would actively harm people (apart from the financial loss of being the victim of theft).
I couldn't quite understand his relationship to books at all really. They were things to own, not read.
I found this book fascinating. I was amazed Gilkey has no remorse for what he has done. It's fortunate his obsession was directed towards books and was not developed into something that would actively harm people (apart from the financial loss of being the victim of theft).
I couldn't quite understand his relationship to books at all really. They were things to own, not read.
Posted to Taiwain today - sorry it's late
Hi there:
I went and checked the mail and was so excited to see this book in the mail. I forgot that I sent bekoh my address. Thanks for sending it. I can't wait to read it.
I went and checked the mail and was so excited to see this book in the mail. I forgot that I sent bekoh my address. Thanks for sending it. I can't wait to read it.
Hi there:
I went and checked the mail and was so excited to see this book in the mail. I forgot that I sent bekoh my address. Thanks for sending it. I can't wait to read it.
I went and checked the mail and was so excited to see this book in the mail. I forgot that I sent bekoh my address. Thanks for sending it. I can't wait to read it.
Finally finished this book. Not sure if I really liked it. I was bummed that I felt that one of the main char didn't really have a love of books and just wanted social status. However it was a fun book I havem pm the next reader
It arrived on November 10, just the day that my computer shut down! Anyhow, I read through it quickly, enjoyed it very much, and am ready to pass it on.
Got it on its way to bookmaniac70 on November 26
The book arrived here. Thank you, mssaver, for sending it via first class service! It made it for 5 days ( on December 1 it was already in the post office.):-)). I will try to start it ASAP.
I enjoyed the book. The topic was definitely of interest to me, as I have never come across much talking about it. I think that Gilkey actually loves books- the writer mentions that he reads, and on very fast speed, a lot of books. But it`s obvious that he sees acummulating books as means of obtaining certain social status. For me it goes without question that he suffers from some kind of disorder, and it was fascinating to have a look into his mind. Thank you for sharing this unusual story!
I am going to PM the next reader on the list.
Update: MartinaViola asked to be skipped, so I contacted Eprinzessin. I`m waiting for reply.
I am going to PM the next reader on the list.
Update: MartinaViola asked to be skipped, so I contacted Eprinzessin. I`m waiting for reply.
Sent to Eprinzessin.
The book arrived in the last days. I will start to read it soon.
09.01.2012 I liked the book. It is funny that especially this book is travelling with bookcrossing.
15.01.2012 The book is ready for shipping. I hope I will meet my colleague on Monday who will take the book with him to a German letterbox.
09.01.2012 I liked the book. It is funny that especially this book is travelling with bookcrossing.
15.01.2012 The book is ready for shipping. I hope I will meet my colleague on Monday who will take the book with him to a German letterbox.
Journal Entry 37 by rem_QQD-730725 at Schmallenberg, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Thursday, January 19, 2012
The book arrived today. Thanks for sharing. Two more to be read before I'll start on this one.06/02/2012: Finished the book last night and enjoyed it quite a lot. For me the book shows many parallels between collectors (of anything) and addicts (drugs, alcohol, etc.). They simply cannot get enough of something and at some point even start to commit crimes - not even stopping those after being convicted...
Thanks a lot fpr sharing this book! It's a nice little story and just the right one for sharing through BookCrossing!
I already have the next address, so the book will continue its journey today!
Journal Entry 38 by rem_QQD-730725 at -- Per Post geschickt / Persönlich weitergegeben --, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Monday, February 6, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (2/6/2012 UTC) at -- Per Post geschickt / Persönlich weitergegeben --, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The book will travel on. This time from the "Schmallenberger Sauerland" to Neresheim. I hope all following readers will enjoy it as much as I have!
Thaks for book and tea! Now I enjoy even more this cold winter :)
The story is nice but it´s a bit confusing. First she tells about the thief and the next sentence is about the catcher.
I like the art of the book, like a real rare book, old and thik paper ;)
The story is nice but it´s a bit confusing. First she tells about the thief and the next sentence is about the catcher.
I like the art of the book, like a real rare book, old and thik paper ;)
Back home at last, and reunited with its dust jacket. Thanks to everyone who participated!
This book was stuck on my shelf for far too long and wants to go traveling. On to bluezwuzl!
What a journey this book has already had! I'm looking forward to this read - thanks for the offer!
---
What a story!
I have been among very old books for some time and I'm very much aware of their magic. I don't think Gilkey acumulated his old rare books only for showing off, as it becomes clear that he is an avid reader, he even enrolled in a class to find out more about one of his favourites and, there is the dream, however hazy it may be, to own an old-and-rare-bookstore one day. He clearly has an obsession about books, and, as it is with his clothing (always neat, always respectable) he is going after the best that he can get (how unrespectable the means to get them may be.)
Some time ago, an aquaintance told me, how she was working for a seller of antiquarian maps and prints during her studies - colouring up old documents, prints and maps. This seems to be a legal and wide-spread practice. Ever since I've wondered, why on earth someone could prefer a (often very shaky) coloured print without questioning its authenticity.
That Gilkey seems to get away with most of his criminal activities could be a hint, that the prosecuting powers don't care about book-theft as long as "only some little businesses" are victimized and that they absolutely underrate the harm done, when "only a heap of old paper" disappears from public memory.
Thanks for sharing this book, I'll make sure, it will continue its journey!
---
What a story!
I have been among very old books for some time and I'm very much aware of their magic. I don't think Gilkey acumulated his old rare books only for showing off, as it becomes clear that he is an avid reader, he even enrolled in a class to find out more about one of his favourites and, there is the dream, however hazy it may be, to own an old-and-rare-bookstore one day. He clearly has an obsession about books, and, as it is with his clothing (always neat, always respectable) he is going after the best that he can get (how unrespectable the means to get them may be.)
Some time ago, an aquaintance told me, how she was working for a seller of antiquarian maps and prints during her studies - colouring up old documents, prints and maps. This seems to be a legal and wide-spread practice. Ever since I've wondered, why on earth someone could prefer a (often very shaky) coloured print without questioning its authenticity.
That Gilkey seems to get away with most of his criminal activities could be a hint, that the prosecuting powers don't care about book-theft as long as "only some little businesses" are victimized and that they absolutely underrate the harm done, when "only a heap of old paper" disappears from public memory.
Thanks for sharing this book, I'll make sure, it will continue its journey!
Journal Entry 43 by bluezwuzl at -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Bayern Germany on Thursday, June 20, 2019
Released 4 yrs ago (6/19/2019 UTC) at -- Per Post geschickt/ Persönlich weitergegeben --, Bayern Germany
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The book has idled away its time on my shelf far too long. Now it will travel again - to a bookcrosser who has it on its wish list.
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
Thank you so much for the surprise RABCK. I look forward to reading this well-travelled book which is so well loved by previous bookcrossers.
