The Map Thief by Michael Blanding

The Map Thief by Michael Blanding

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I enjoyed reading about Forbes Smiley III, thief of rare maps. It would be interesting to anyone who likes history and antiques and perhaps a little dull to those who are not interested in these things. There's quite a lot of detail and history about the various maps in question. The history is necessary to understand the rarity and value of the items stolen. It doesn't read like a suspenseful thriller, but I found it quite interesting, partly because I found the character of Smiley. While reading, I told someone that Smiley seems like a "popular nerd." Part of what we admire in those at the top of the social totem pole is confidence, I think. Smiley had intellectual, nerdy interests, but he was also extroverted, confident and gregarious. I liked the description of the over-the-top professionally executed dollhouse he built for a store's window display while he was still a student. He seemed to have so many talents, except in the area of managing money. Smiley, I think, would be a likeable man to those who did not know he was a thief, and he was liked by those who were his victims. After reading the conclusion, I believe he feels genuine regret for betraying those who trusted him. The book also has bits of interesting forensic evidence that incriminated Smiley.



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