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10th out of 15 books
—
3 voters
Stolen World: A Tale of Reptiles, Smugglers, and Skulduggery
by
Jennie Erin Smith (Goodreads Author)
Tortoises disappear from a Madagascar reserve and reappear in the Bronx Zoo. A dead iguana floats in a jar, awaiting its unveiling in a Florida court. A viper causes mayhem from Ethiopia to Virginia. In Stolen World, Jennie Erin Smith takes the reader on an unforgettable journey, a dark adventure over five decades and six continents.
In 1965, Hank Molt, a young cheese sale...more
In 1965, Hank Molt, a young cheese sale...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Published
January 4th 2011
by Crown
(first published January 3rd 2011)
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I was disappointed by this, although that's only partially the fault of the author. I just couldn't handle the amount of pointless reptile death. And the turtles... I think it might have been different if the writing had been really good, but it just didn't hold my interest to make the feeling of mild horror worthwhile.
Ten years of effort can yield a wide diversity of possible results. For writer Jennie Erin Smith, a decade of work has resulted in an incredibly compelling and deeply layered expose that reveals the shadowy underbelly of the reptile trade. In her book Stolen World, Smith carefully unravels the adventures, aspirations, personal struggles, and public trials of a legendary few who famously—or infamously—smuggled many of the world’s rarest, and most desirable species.
Stolen World earns high marks f...more
Stolen World earns high marks f...more
Like a Tom Clancy or Stephen King novel of herptology is the best way to cateragorize Jennie Smith's book "Stolen World" except with one difference, it real not fiction. She is able to radiate distain, pity, revulsion and a list of other emotions for the smugglers and herptology enthusiast. From such bi-polar characters as Hank Molt to the narsacistic collector Tom Crutchfield along with many more minor residents, this snake soap opera sometimes leaves the reader with a unbeileivable look at the...more
(4.5) I thought this book was a hoot. How can you not be interested in a book where people curl up 6 feet pythons into the small of their backs and pass them off as tumors at the airport? (Yes, this happened pre-9/11 security measures). Or when someone runs off the road because he digs his hand into a piece of luggage where he's keeping his gila monster and the thing latches on and begins to grind in its poison? It's fascinating! I'm very squeamish with snake talk, but for some reason, it didn't...more
I initially picked up this book because I have a friend with somewhere around eleven snakes, and I wondered how these species all came to be in the US market. This book painted a fascinating tale of a group of 'old school' reptile wranglers, always seeking out something new and rare in remote locations to ship back to the US through extremely illegal means. After countless legal battles, the men kept going, and persevere to this day in the reptile business.
It was rather shocking to learn how of...more
It was rather shocking to learn how of...more
An amazing book, full of droll humor, sharp insights and relentless environmental tragedy. Jennie Erin Smith spent 10 years reporting and writing this non-fiction account of the odd lives and loves of reptile smugglers Hank Molt and Tom Crutchfield, and her deep knowledge of her subject really shows. She does a terrific job of profiling these two frenemies, as well as a vast supporting cast that includes a swinging karate instructor, a black-toothed German giant, undercover wildlife officers and...more
Really, where do I begin with this book?
It starts back in the day when reptile collectors were traveling the world to bring back the rarest and most intriguing reptiles for zoos and museum collections until, in 1973, with the introduction of the Endangered Species Act, these "reptile collectors" were made into smugglers overnight. Zoos, no longer wanting to be associated with smugglers (at least not publicly,) went into a panic and began breeding as many species as they could, to the point that...more
It starts back in the day when reptile collectors were traveling the world to bring back the rarest and most intriguing reptiles for zoos and museum collections until, in 1973, with the introduction of the Endangered Species Act, these "reptile collectors" were made into smugglers overnight. Zoos, no longer wanting to be associated with smugglers (at least not publicly,) went into a panic and began breeding as many species as they could, to the point that...more
Excellent book on the sordid dealings of old-time "reptile smugglers" masquerading as "exotic wildlife dealers" who tromp all over the world looking for the rarest creatures (mostly snakes but other reptiles too) to smuggle back to Europe, Japan and the U.S. for collectors. Smith chronicles chiefly the lives of two smugglers, (dealers?)one very successful and the other not so much, (both whom go to prison, however). They are repellent but you can't really put this one down. Reveals a lot about t...more
A fabulous micro-history about a little-known subculture, a thriller, and an expose all in one. Also: the characters are unforgettable. I love what Peter Nicholls said about it: “If DARWIN, DOSTOYEVSKY, and GEORGE LUCAS had collaborated on a novel, it might have resembled STOLEN WORLD." Awesome. Dive in to the read, you won't be able to put it down http://su.pr/1hUi2U.
I really wanted to like this book - the premise sounded very interesting - but it just seemed to be the same thing over and over again. Then, she would make reference to someone whose name was familiar but I couldn't remember who it was and couldn't look it up because there was NO INDEX. Unbelievable! It was the first book I haven't finished in a very long time.
A thoroughly entertaining read. I had never been particularly interested in reptile smuggling, but this book was featured on the "new items" shelf at the library, so I decided to give it a try. All of the individuals featured in this book are reprehensible, but the fiascos that they get involved in are thoroughly entertaining.
i am donating this book to the school so t hat more people will be able to read
the book about why it is so hard to get smugglers out of the system i in joyed the book
a lot took only one day it ell you how the animals were brought in t he state and some of t he
better know zoo were involved and they tell you how they made money and went to prison and came back out and re did it again this need to stop and then protect the animals
the book about why it is so hard to get smugglers out of the system i in joyed the book
a lot took only one day it ell you how the animals were brought in t he state and some of t he
better know zoo were involved and they tell you how they made money and went to prison and came back out and re did it again this need to stop and then protect the animals
Sep 01, 2011
Hank Stuever
added it
Started, but didn't finish. Was lured by the praise for the reporting and writing here, but it turns out I just wasn't interested -- at all -- in the subject. That's my fault, not the author's.
Loved it. I found it very interesting. I did not know that there was that much smuggling of reptiles going on. The book is well written and entertaining.
A surprisingly entertaining story about the world of lizard smuggling - informative, fast-paced, funny, and with an entertaining cast of characters.
I hoped that this book would get better as I read but it didn't. There was a lot of reptile information in it but the story didn't keep me interested.
Sordid and sad and weirdly heartwarming. Also the most fun read I've had in a while.
A depressing look at the seamy, sordid world of the reptile "trade" (supported by smuggling and massive violations of endangered species law) with focus on several especially slimy characters. Smith does a fine job explaining the issues, making sense of the players (including the ethically challenged caretakers at zoos), and peering inside the twisted minds of the parties involved. I would have liked more discussion of whether enforcement has really improved since the 1960s and if endangered rep...more
Very well written and well told.
I loved this book!!
Reptile collectors are a strange breed, most moderately to severely handicapped in social skills. Perhaps this is due to their odd obsession of keeping creatures inthe basement that eat live chickens and mice for dinner.
See the rest of my review at The Internet Review of Books www.internetreviewbooks.blogspot.com...more
See the rest of my review at The Internet Review of Books www.internetreviewbooks.blogspot.com...more
I loved it. The author is a great writer and could probably make reading about cement drying exciting. The folks she is writing about make a great read even if i wouldn't want to know them too well in real life.
It will make you think differently about zoos and their reptile houses and snakelovers everywhere.
It will make you think differently about zoos and their reptile houses and snakelovers everywhere.
Pretty good book on some snakes stealing snakes. Everyone in this book is really slimy even the zoos. But I am happy to say that I now have a plowshare tortoise up as my screen saver. Good read.
It was a five at the beginning, and fell to a three as it got long and repetitive towards the end.
A lot of repetitive stuff. It was hard to keep up with where I was in the story since it went back and forth between the past and present.
Great book for anyone with an interest in reptiles
These guys are wack jobs.
Lots of information crammed into a storybook format. I'm sure the author did her research and everything's accurate to source, but the presentation doesn't always make it seem that way.
May 16, 2013
Teresa Dicentra
marked it as to-read
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I am a reporter, writer and reviewer specializing in science and natural history, with a longtime interest in zoos, museums, animals and conservation. For several years I worked as an environmental reporter in Florida, where I developed many of the contacts needed to write Stolen World; currently I live in Europe, where I write for the Times Literary Supplement and other publications. I am always...more
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Jan 27, 2011 07:16am