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Dangerous World of Butterflies: The Startling Subculture Of Criminals, Collectors, And Conservationists
This widely praised book chronicles Peter Laufer's adventures within the butterfly industry and the butterfly underground. Laufer begins by examining the allure of butterflies throughout history, but his research soon veers into the high-stake realms of organized crime, ecological devastation, museum collections, and chaos theory. His ever-expanding journey of discovery throughout the Americas and beyond offers a rare look into a theater of intrigue, peopled with quirky and nefarious characters―all in pursuit of these delicate, beautiful creatures. Read this book, and your garden―and the world―will never quite look the same.
288 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2006
22 people are currently reading
1018 people want to read
About the author
Peter Laufer
50 books39 followersPeter Laufer, Ph.D., is the author of more than a dozen books that deal with social and political issues, including "Mission Rejected: U.S. Soldiers Who Say No to Iraq," "Wetback Nation: The Case for Opening the Mexican-American Border," and "Iron Curtain Rising: A Personal Journey through the Changing Landscape of Eastern Eurpoe." He is the coanchor of "The Peter Laufer Show" on radio station Green 960 in San Francisco. More about his books, documentary films, broadcasts, which have won the George Polk, Robert F. Kennedy, Edward R. Murrow, and other awards, can be found at peterlaufer.com. He lives in Bodega Bay, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
May 20, 2020
This was a unique journalistic foray into the world of Butterfly aficionados. And these aficionados span the spectrum.
What I liked about this book, was that the author interviewed people with many different view points. He tried to make sure that all sides were represented.
So no matter what you view is on the subject of Butterflies, give this book a go and found out some interesting things.
What I liked about this book, was that the author interviewed people with many different view points. He tried to make sure that all sides were represented.
So no matter what you view is on the subject of Butterflies, give this book a go and found out some interesting things.
May 14, 2013
The whole time I was reading this book I kept thinking that the author was looking for a story that wasn't there. He didn't necessarily invent anything to write this book, but I think his own ignorance and his entitled sense of poetic license meshed to create a sense of suspense and danger where it really doesn't exist. Are there butterfly poachers out there? Are there lunatics and right-wing conservatives running butterfly farms who earn their profits from killing butterflies for a living? Sure there are, but welcome to America, where we don't bat an eye at the evening news roundup of senseless violence and political corruption. The cute story behind why the author wrote this book is exactly that, cute, but for anyone with even a small background in Lepidoptera, this book is a waste of time that is rife with hyperbole and libel.
The author just couldn't maintain an unbiased viewpoint of his subjects. He kept referring to the people who collect and adore butterflies as a kind of mentally disturbed freak that enjoys sitting in rooms with millions of dead insects. And for the love of God, Mr. Laufer, DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! Butterflies metamorphose in a chrysalis, not cocoons!!! Only moths metamorphose in cocoons!!! You repeated this error almost ten times throughout your book, but finally got it right towards the end.
I realize this book was written for people who may not have much knowledge of, or interest in, butterflies and moths, but I feel this book greatly exaggerates and defiles the world of caring and devout scientists and laymen who are passionate about these wonderful creatures. The Epilogue finally tones down the rhetoric the author used throughout the book to acknowledge how much he learned about butterflies while researching and writing about them, but I wish he had balanced his indictment of all the "crazy" people he portrays with a few more "normal" people; but, of course, this would have made the title of his book moot, wouldn't it?
I would have rated this book only one star if I hadn't found a little bit of intrigue in some of the characters he portrayed. The wonderful conservationist working to save the Palos Verdes Blue and Lange's Metalmark fills my heart with joy knowing that there are caring, beautiful people out there who want to preserve something so miniscule and seemingly unimportant. I grew up with Albany's (New York) Pine Bush in my backyard, one of several homes to the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. Having such a rare and exquisite creature in the woods near my childhood home definitely played a significant role in my love of butterflies. I want to read more stories about Jana Johnson and learn more about the work of Robert Michael Pyle, who only merits a brief mention in the beginning of the book. Where are the heroes of the butterfly world in this book? Our lives are already bombarded by the stories of the losers and miscreants operating in other areas of the scientific and scholastic fields. This book would have been much more balanced if he had included more positive reporting. Instead, we are led to believe there are thousands of pretentious and criminally minded insect fiends living in solitary confinement gleefully surrounded by dead bugs. This is not true at all. Shame on the author for lying to us!
The author just couldn't maintain an unbiased viewpoint of his subjects. He kept referring to the people who collect and adore butterflies as a kind of mentally disturbed freak that enjoys sitting in rooms with millions of dead insects. And for the love of God, Mr. Laufer, DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! Butterflies metamorphose in a chrysalis, not cocoons!!! Only moths metamorphose in cocoons!!! You repeated this error almost ten times throughout your book, but finally got it right towards the end.
I realize this book was written for people who may not have much knowledge of, or interest in, butterflies and moths, but I feel this book greatly exaggerates and defiles the world of caring and devout scientists and laymen who are passionate about these wonderful creatures. The Epilogue finally tones down the rhetoric the author used throughout the book to acknowledge how much he learned about butterflies while researching and writing about them, but I wish he had balanced his indictment of all the "crazy" people he portrays with a few more "normal" people; but, of course, this would have made the title of his book moot, wouldn't it?
I would have rated this book only one star if I hadn't found a little bit of intrigue in some of the characters he portrayed. The wonderful conservationist working to save the Palos Verdes Blue and Lange's Metalmark fills my heart with joy knowing that there are caring, beautiful people out there who want to preserve something so miniscule and seemingly unimportant. I grew up with Albany's (New York) Pine Bush in my backyard, one of several homes to the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. Having such a rare and exquisite creature in the woods near my childhood home definitely played a significant role in my love of butterflies. I want to read more stories about Jana Johnson and learn more about the work of Robert Michael Pyle, who only merits a brief mention in the beginning of the book. Where are the heroes of the butterfly world in this book? Our lives are already bombarded by the stories of the losers and miscreants operating in other areas of the scientific and scholastic fields. This book would have been much more balanced if he had included more positive reporting. Instead, we are led to believe there are thousands of pretentious and criminally minded insect fiends living in solitary confinement gleefully surrounded by dead bugs. This is not true at all. Shame on the author for lying to us!
February 26, 2014
2.5 stars
The Dangerous World of Butterflies has an attractive and intriguing concept. The actual book is interesting but lacked a more significant depth to bolster its title.
Overall I would have liked more science, as usual, but it was clear that science was not the author's forte, he barely understood butterflies. (I didn't mind the author overall, his comments felt genuine and I especially liked how he included his opposition to zoos.) A simple way to up the knowledge transferred from author to reader though would have been photos. I am baffled as to why the publishers would not include photos of the butterflies mentioned in the book as it would have added much beauty and further learning potentially.
The interviews included often felt like filler, especially the verbatim inclusions. On top of being tedious, many of those interviewed were not knowledgeable regarding science and their comments were rather annoying. The interviews often felt like replacements for a story that wasn't always really there.
Few things to remember: butterflies available for sale in those glass boxes? Killed as soon as they emerge, aka they never got to enjoy their wings but you do! Sounds entirely fair right? No, totally fucked up. And also, people will collect anything and completely disregard their impact on the environment. Nothing new here, sadly.
The Dangerous World of Butterflies has an attractive and intriguing concept. The actual book is interesting but lacked a more significant depth to bolster its title.
Overall I would have liked more science, as usual, but it was clear that science was not the author's forte, he barely understood butterflies. (I didn't mind the author overall, his comments felt genuine and I especially liked how he included his opposition to zoos.) A simple way to up the knowledge transferred from author to reader though would have been photos. I am baffled as to why the publishers would not include photos of the butterflies mentioned in the book as it would have added much beauty and further learning potentially.
The interviews included often felt like filler, especially the verbatim inclusions. On top of being tedious, many of those interviewed were not knowledgeable regarding science and their comments were rather annoying. The interviews often felt like replacements for a story that wasn't always really there.
Few things to remember: butterflies available for sale in those glass boxes? Killed as soon as they emerge, aka they never got to enjoy their wings but you do! Sounds entirely fair right? No, totally fucked up. And also, people will collect anything and completely disregard their impact on the environment. Nothing new here, sadly.
February 15, 2021
I found this book at a library book sale. Once I started reading it, I was hooked. The author tells about how butterflies are smuggled across borders and sold for tremendous amounts of money. Buying and selling of butterflies is legal...except for some types. These are the ones going for the big bucks!
He tells us also how government agencies are attempting to stop this trade. The book continues on to tell us more about the insects such as how businesses exist that breed them for mass releases for events such as weddings. He delves into fashion and jewelry and how some types migrate for extremely long distances. The Monarch butterfly is probably the most well known for this. He covers butterflies in art and discusses why the colors often appear so vibrant. The book ends with a chapter about trying to save certain types by preserving the lands where they breed and feed. He also tells about how scientist are attempting to breed certain types which are decreasing in population, in captivity so they can be released later to increase their numbers.
Peter is an excellent writer and he held my attention through the whole book. He says how after he started writing the book, he started to notice butterflies everywhere. I have done the same, though most of them are in places other than nature. Here in Pennsylvania, you don't see many during the winter season, but I'll be looking forward to looking for them as the temperatures start climbing once again!
He tells us also how government agencies are attempting to stop this trade. The book continues on to tell us more about the insects such as how businesses exist that breed them for mass releases for events such as weddings. He delves into fashion and jewelry and how some types migrate for extremely long distances. The Monarch butterfly is probably the most well known for this. He covers butterflies in art and discusses why the colors often appear so vibrant. The book ends with a chapter about trying to save certain types by preserving the lands where they breed and feed. He also tells about how scientist are attempting to breed certain types which are decreasing in population, in captivity so they can be released later to increase their numbers.
Peter is an excellent writer and he held my attention through the whole book. He says how after he started writing the book, he started to notice butterflies everywhere. I have done the same, though most of them are in places other than nature. Here in Pennsylvania, you don't see many during the winter season, but I'll be looking forward to looking for them as the temperatures start climbing once again!
January 5, 2014
I was moved to purchase this book after hearing the author interviewed on NPR. Also because of my own experience years ago when in Las Vegas. I remember passing by a kiosk with butterflies framed and under glass. Everyone else was remarking on how beautiful they were. All I could see was how TRAGIC it was.
Why do we need to possess something to appreciate it? Why do we find BEAUTY in the shell of a creature and not something deeper? Those butterflies were free and beautiful at one time. I imagine what it must have been like for them. They were captured and pinned down in the name of “art.”
If they weren’t so beautiful, would they be safer? Or if we found them ugly, would they be in just as much danger – just another form of OBJECTIFICATION (the cringing kind). Do we see past the surface of anything? I have to ask again ~ why must we possess something to appreciate it? And can we really appreciate anything or anyone that we objectify?
When I was a child, I purchased a yellow butterfly in a square Lucite box for my mother. The butterfly was perched as if it were still alive. It was in my parent’s bathroom for years. I think about that sometimes. How there was a time when I made such purchases. Almost no one cares to discuss these things. I do ~ but I’m in the minority. Most everyone I know thinks it’s a waste of time. That somehow my feeling EMPATHY for creatures that most everyone else objectifies is some sort of illogical defect in me.
I know I should pay attention when everyone keeps pointing something out to me. But it’s difficult to look at things the same way I did as a child. Especially since something else has occurred to me since then. I wonder why objectification seems so logical to so many people. And as I think back to a time when I purchased that butterfly ~ I wonder what I might be objectifying now without realizing it. I’ll have to keep this in mind as I move forward. I will have to look at everything I own and ask what the cost truly is.
I enjoyed this book. Even if you don't have empathy for the plight of butterflies, you will enjoy the adventure of this book. And, maybe once you set it down, you will look at butterflies with new eyes.
Although the story telling in this work of nonfiction felt more like a book report than a work of literature, it is worth a read simply to learn more about this odd world. And, while it didn't bring me any new questions or make me see the world in a new way ~ it is always interesting to learn about what other's obsess about. Especially when it comes to beauty.
Why do we need to possess something to appreciate it? Why do we find BEAUTY in the shell of a creature and not something deeper? Those butterflies were free and beautiful at one time. I imagine what it must have been like for them. They were captured and pinned down in the name of “art.”
If they weren’t so beautiful, would they be safer? Or if we found them ugly, would they be in just as much danger – just another form of OBJECTIFICATION (the cringing kind). Do we see past the surface of anything? I have to ask again ~ why must we possess something to appreciate it? And can we really appreciate anything or anyone that we objectify?
When I was a child, I purchased a yellow butterfly in a square Lucite box for my mother. The butterfly was perched as if it were still alive. It was in my parent’s bathroom for years. I think about that sometimes. How there was a time when I made such purchases. Almost no one cares to discuss these things. I do ~ but I’m in the minority. Most everyone I know thinks it’s a waste of time. That somehow my feeling EMPATHY for creatures that most everyone else objectifies is some sort of illogical defect in me.
I know I should pay attention when everyone keeps pointing something out to me. But it’s difficult to look at things the same way I did as a child. Especially since something else has occurred to me since then. I wonder why objectification seems so logical to so many people. And as I think back to a time when I purchased that butterfly ~ I wonder what I might be objectifying now without realizing it. I’ll have to keep this in mind as I move forward. I will have to look at everything I own and ask what the cost truly is.
I enjoyed this book. Even if you don't have empathy for the plight of butterflies, you will enjoy the adventure of this book. And, maybe once you set it down, you will look at butterflies with new eyes.
Although the story telling in this work of nonfiction felt more like a book report than a work of literature, it is worth a read simply to learn more about this odd world. And, while it didn't bring me any new questions or make me see the world in a new way ~ it is always interesting to learn about what other's obsess about. Especially when it comes to beauty.
July 26, 2009
You're thinking, "Butterflies? Really?" I was right there with you when I first heard Peter Laufer talking about his book on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. But I was intrigued, and when a friend gifted me a copy of the book, I couldn't wait to get into it. I'm glad I didn't put it off because Dangerous describes this world to a tee. Right from the start you're immersed in the world of butterflies - not stuff of cliche, but truly fascinating facts drawn from this very bizarre world. You'll learn things like how some female butterflies are fertilized before they've even hatched (pupal rape, ewww) and how there's this whole feud between butterfly breeders (you can breed butterflies?) and butterfly enthusiasts whose only goal anymore is to see and maybe photograph butterflies - netting and pinning is so passe. There's this dark and dangerous world of butterfly smuggling where certain species can bring you thousands of dollars for a single specimen . . . and several years in jail when you're caught. Finally there are the scientists who devote hours and hours tending larva and supergluing chrysalises to the undersides of leaves only to have to schedule and carry out these black ops-type releases of endangered species so that butterfly hunters don't descend on the release sites and net all the carefully raised butterflies.
It's exhausting, but oh, what a ride.
It's exhausting, but oh, what a ride.
August 26, 2009
That's right, I'm starting August off with a change-up. No strange monsters, or romantic stories, instead I was pulled into a world I didn't even know existed. No really. Did you know there is a black market for butterfly sales? Or that there are actually criminals in jail for catching butterflies? Mr. Lauffer took the assignment, learning about the butterflying world, to get away from his usual war correspondence. It's easy to catch glimpses of his war reporter style in this book, but it is nowhere near as impersonal as those types of writing tend to be. The information is given to the reader in a mostly first person format, which adds to the "he's new and discovering this information too" feeling. Several times I was just astounded by the information he "uncovered".
I don't usually read non-fiction. It's often dry and painful to me, but I'm so glad I picked up this book. It was an easy read (only took me two days) and an enjoyable read.
I don't usually read non-fiction. It's often dry and painful to me, but I'm so glad I picked up this book. It was an easy read (only took me two days) and an enjoyable read.
January 14, 2025
I got this book while on a birthday used-bookshopping spree for the same reason that a lot of other readers did: *The Dangerous World of Butterflies* is a really cool title, and I was curious about just what the world of butterfly smuggling really entailed. I did have another reason to get the book, though, and that's my growing interest in zoology - I'm becoming fascinated with animals again, and I'm going as far as reading open access science papers to learn more about their world. So while I'm no expert, I'm exposing myself to a lot of experts, and I can tell that Laufer is no butterfly expert. He's more of a political journalist who's decided to tell us about his experiences chatting with other butterfly... if not experts, then enthusiasts. His contacts run the gambit of the American hobby and while I'm not hugely impressed with the book, it was a good way to spend a couple days, and I'd recommend it to you if you like niche topics or journalists' tours through unique corners of the world.
We first meet Jane Foulds in her butterfly breedery in Nicaragua. Her and her husband raise and sell butterflies to be used in arboretums, butterfly releases, or - even if she detests it - glass cases with pins stuck through them. The next chapter takes us to California where a butterfly expert - Jeffrey Glassberg - is participating in a butterfly conference and takes Laufer along with his crew one morning to go "butterflying" (think birding, but for butterflies). These folks are opposed to people who breed or collect butterflies, but Laufer seems to maintain an open mind about all of these things and holds a butterfly release in Chapter 3, letting a bunch of butterflies go from an accordion-style case that Foulds sends him; it attracts everyone in the neighborhood because, well, it's pretty cool. Chapter 4 is called "Diapause" and kind of rattles off different butterfly facts or places where the author has started noticing butterflies in popular culture. Chapter 5 is a bit meatier, and deals with monarch butterflies and migration. I'm more interested in the science side of monarchs (for example, I want to know why some migratory monarchs live multiple times longer than the other generations...), but Laufer is here to talk more about Mexico and the de- and reforestation taking place. A lot of this part is told around two Mexican men who are actually paying local farmers to house certain kinds of trees which the Monarchs like, giving them more habitat. They're doing cool work even if it didn't start off as work for butterflies.
Speaking of cool, Chapter 6, which is about Hisayoshi Kojima, a man who disregarded CITES laws and sold butterflies for up to $10,000/pair online before getting caught by Ed Newcomber, a Fish/Wildlife agent put in charge of going undercover, cozying up to Kojima, and getting evidence of his untoward and harmful acts. Newcomber's perspective was a lot of fun, but the chapters get a little muddier after that. Chapter 7 is also about illegal butterfly selling + collection, but this time there are three perps instead of one and their story isn't as interesting, and Chapter 8 returns to Laufer's political roots and talks about how American border law enforcement will destroy butterfly habitat. It won't be disastrous according to the experts, but it's not exactly helpful, and for all of Laufer's neutrality on butterfly matters, he's a little less neutral on matters of National Security. "The Butterfly as Art" explores different things but centers around the infamous Damien Hirst and others who make art from real butterflies, and the following chapter features Laufer talking with a conservative businessman who runs a "Butterfly World" so the two can debate the merits of evolutionism and creationism, without facts or logic on either side. Then the last chapter takes us through Jana Johnson's hope-laden project which seeks to reintroduce Lange's Metalmarks into the wild...
This book reminded me a lot of a book which you probably haven't read: *The Mummy Congress* by Heather Pringle, which explores mummification through the millennia (and not just Egyptian mummification) by relating a bunch of encounters she had with different subject matter experts or those otherwise close to the field, instead of basing it off a lifetime of research or interest. *The Dangerous World* is very much about the people whom Laufer sought out, and not about himself, and it's a well-rounded group of people. There are people from all sides of the different aisles and he seems to do a good job of relaying their stories. The writing is nice; it's obviously journalistic, but not trite. That being said, I remember thinking that Pringle really gave herself to her work and really lived the lifestyle of those whom she was researching, where I don't get that feeling from Laufer. His writing is fairly personable and friendly, but his depth of knowledge doesn't seem particularly impressive. He's a layman, and while he doesn't say he's not, he also doesn't try and elevate himself in the context of butterflies, at least that I could tell. This is more about the people, and if you're looking for real scientific knowledge, I'd look elsewhere. But if you want to see how the attraction of butterflies attracts different kinds of people to their world... this may be the book for you.
A lot of reviews here to touch upon animal cruelty and things like that, so I'm going to say my piece here. First of all: I don't think that Laufer interviewing different people means that he is buying into their ideals or shouldn't be supported because of it. For example, he spoke with people who use live butterflies to make artwork and those who would look at those artists as committing original sin for it; Laufer is able to remain pretty neutral in these debates, even if he holds a soft spot for Jane Foulds - who sadly passed away before this book's publication - for always being gracious and for helping into the culture of the butterfly world. I don't think that Laufer is entirely opposed to some of the "animal cruelty" some people will point at, but I don't mind that he keeps an objective view on things as long as they don't stray into contemporary politics, like the narrative does when we talk about the Mexican-American border - in that case, his journalistic tendencies rear their opinionated head, for better or worse, depending on the reader. When it comes to butterflies, it's probably a good thing he didn't get too opinionated about a subject which he doesn't know all that well, even if he's very happy to lead us into the expert's heads...
At the end of the day, this is not the kind of animal-based book I want to keep on reading. Personally, I want more facts and figures and consideration of captive and wild population management and crap like that. But this was still a good read and even though it didn't exactly keep me hooked, it did keep me engaged and some sections - specifically that about the "World's Most Wanted Butterfly Hunter" - will stick in my head. I give this a 7/10 but won't exactly be rushing off to read the rest of Laufer's unofficial animal trilogy though. Maybe you will; if you do, let me know how it goes. On that note, good luck with your future reading...
We first meet Jane Foulds in her butterfly breedery in Nicaragua. Her and her husband raise and sell butterflies to be used in arboretums, butterfly releases, or - even if she detests it - glass cases with pins stuck through them. The next chapter takes us to California where a butterfly expert - Jeffrey Glassberg - is participating in a butterfly conference and takes Laufer along with his crew one morning to go "butterflying" (think birding, but for butterflies). These folks are opposed to people who breed or collect butterflies, but Laufer seems to maintain an open mind about all of these things and holds a butterfly release in Chapter 3, letting a bunch of butterflies go from an accordion-style case that Foulds sends him; it attracts everyone in the neighborhood because, well, it's pretty cool. Chapter 4 is called "Diapause" and kind of rattles off different butterfly facts or places where the author has started noticing butterflies in popular culture. Chapter 5 is a bit meatier, and deals with monarch butterflies and migration. I'm more interested in the science side of monarchs (for example, I want to know why some migratory monarchs live multiple times longer than the other generations...), but Laufer is here to talk more about Mexico and the de- and reforestation taking place. A lot of this part is told around two Mexican men who are actually paying local farmers to house certain kinds of trees which the Monarchs like, giving them more habitat. They're doing cool work even if it didn't start off as work for butterflies.
Speaking of cool, Chapter 6, which is about Hisayoshi Kojima, a man who disregarded CITES laws and sold butterflies for up to $10,000/pair online before getting caught by Ed Newcomber, a Fish/Wildlife agent put in charge of going undercover, cozying up to Kojima, and getting evidence of his untoward and harmful acts. Newcomber's perspective was a lot of fun, but the chapters get a little muddier after that. Chapter 7 is also about illegal butterfly selling + collection, but this time there are three perps instead of one and their story isn't as interesting, and Chapter 8 returns to Laufer's political roots and talks about how American border law enforcement will destroy butterfly habitat. It won't be disastrous according to the experts, but it's not exactly helpful, and for all of Laufer's neutrality on butterfly matters, he's a little less neutral on matters of National Security. "The Butterfly as Art" explores different things but centers around the infamous Damien Hirst and others who make art from real butterflies, and the following chapter features Laufer talking with a conservative businessman who runs a "Butterfly World" so the two can debate the merits of evolutionism and creationism, without facts or logic on either side. Then the last chapter takes us through Jana Johnson's hope-laden project which seeks to reintroduce Lange's Metalmarks into the wild...
This book reminded me a lot of a book which you probably haven't read: *The Mummy Congress* by Heather Pringle, which explores mummification through the millennia (and not just Egyptian mummification) by relating a bunch of encounters she had with different subject matter experts or those otherwise close to the field, instead of basing it off a lifetime of research or interest. *The Dangerous World* is very much about the people whom Laufer sought out, and not about himself, and it's a well-rounded group of people. There are people from all sides of the different aisles and he seems to do a good job of relaying their stories. The writing is nice; it's obviously journalistic, but not trite. That being said, I remember thinking that Pringle really gave herself to her work and really lived the lifestyle of those whom she was researching, where I don't get that feeling from Laufer. His writing is fairly personable and friendly, but his depth of knowledge doesn't seem particularly impressive. He's a layman, and while he doesn't say he's not, he also doesn't try and elevate himself in the context of butterflies, at least that I could tell. This is more about the people, and if you're looking for real scientific knowledge, I'd look elsewhere. But if you want to see how the attraction of butterflies attracts different kinds of people to their world... this may be the book for you.
A lot of reviews here to touch upon animal cruelty and things like that, so I'm going to say my piece here. First of all: I don't think that Laufer interviewing different people means that he is buying into their ideals or shouldn't be supported because of it. For example, he spoke with people who use live butterflies to make artwork and those who would look at those artists as committing original sin for it; Laufer is able to remain pretty neutral in these debates, even if he holds a soft spot for Jane Foulds - who sadly passed away before this book's publication - for always being gracious and for helping into the culture of the butterfly world. I don't think that Laufer is entirely opposed to some of the "animal cruelty" some people will point at, but I don't mind that he keeps an objective view on things as long as they don't stray into contemporary politics, like the narrative does when we talk about the Mexican-American border - in that case, his journalistic tendencies rear their opinionated head, for better or worse, depending on the reader. When it comes to butterflies, it's probably a good thing he didn't get too opinionated about a subject which he doesn't know all that well, even if he's very happy to lead us into the expert's heads...
At the end of the day, this is not the kind of animal-based book I want to keep on reading. Personally, I want more facts and figures and consideration of captive and wild population management and crap like that. But this was still a good read and even though it didn't exactly keep me hooked, it did keep me engaged and some sections - specifically that about the "World's Most Wanted Butterfly Hunter" - will stick in my head. I give this a 7/10 but won't exactly be rushing off to read the rest of Laufer's unofficial animal trilogy though. Maybe you will; if you do, let me know how it goes. On that note, good luck with your future reading...
February 22, 2012
The subject matter was fascinating but the writing was lacking. I found Laufer's attempts at wit to be mildly annoying, and his writing to have a condescending undertone that I didn't care for. The chapters did not flow as a cohesive body of work should. The chapter on the world's most notorious butterfly smuggler was exciting and I found the chapter on Monarch migration to be particularly interesting. The book really could have used some photos. These creatures are insanely beautiful and the amazing descriptions only left me wanting for a visual. But what a pain to run to the computer mid read and look up a butterfly photo.
June 18, 2009
This is an enjoyable book to either read in one sitting or poke through. Peter Laufer's writing style is very engaging. He tells fascinating stories on butterfly topics ranging from tourism to scholarship to poaching. Most of the chapters are quite interesting stand alone stories, but book has a narrative thread that makes it much more than a collection of articles.
July 24, 2017
I was not sure if I would like this book, as it is non-fiction which I normally enjoy, but written by an amateur new to the field rather than a scientist. It was an interesting journey, as you follow the narrator around the world as he discovers the world of butterflies. However, at times it really feels like he is writing about anything vaguely related just to fill pages (p186 when he starts listing different foods which look like butterflies and their recipes was really pushing it). Another section which made me skim read was p212 when he is talking to a butterfly expert and devolved into a conversation about god and evolution for several pages -seriously?!
Overall, this was an interesting book, a nice light read and I did learn something new about the farming and captive breeding of butterflies, and the conservation efforts at the end of the book were really interesting, its just a pity the author wanted to look at everything to do with butterflies, including art, rather than focus on one story.
This might be a good book for someone with a passing interest in nature or already a fan of the author, but is unlikely to appeal to serious nature lovers.
Overall, this was an interesting book, a nice light read and I did learn something new about the farming and captive breeding of butterflies, and the conservation efforts at the end of the book were really interesting, its just a pity the author wanted to look at everything to do with butterflies, including art, rather than focus on one story.
This might be a good book for someone with a passing interest in nature or already a fan of the author, but is unlikely to appeal to serious nature lovers.
January 29, 2020
A very interesting read from the perspective of someone who is brand new to the world of Lepidoptera. It was easy to read and chocked full of engrossing stories surrounded around conversations, deforestation, butterfly poaching and more. Especially the tale of Ed Newcomer, a fish and wildlife protectors journey in catching Yoshi Kojima who was trading protected butterflies for thousands and thousands of dollars. I learned a lot more about the subculture of butterflies, I learned more from this book than I expected to. I appreciate Peter Laufers efforts in researching and traveling all over in pursuit of his newfound interest.
August 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. While the subject matter is covered from a journalistic perspective—like a written documentary, it is so very well written that I found it easy to read, entertaining and educational. So many people, like me, love to “butterfly garden” yet know so little about the world of butterflies. After finishing Peter Laufer’s “The Dangerous World of Butterflies”, I feel satisfied as a reader and also quite enriched in knowledge about the unusual and extreme challenges many butterflies face.
May 20, 2025
2.5* rounded up. A fascinating deep dive into the world of butterflies from scientists, artists, collectors and criminals. This book touches on many different layers of butterfly appreciation, including the morally gray areas. It reads more like a train of thought than a fleshed out non-fic and at times the author seems to be a bit judgey towards the people he interacts with. Overall interesting story but at times a bit slow and rambling.
May 9, 2019
The Dangerous World of Butterflies is a great exploration of the different subsets and issues of butterfly culture. It's a unique look at butterflies and the people who devote their lives to them. Laufer meets butterfly farms, smugglers, collectors, conservationists, scientists, and more. It was a fun read with a great variety of stories.
June 21, 2019
This book covers many different people that work in the world of butterflies, from conservationists to criminals who sell illegal butterflies without regard to their extinction. My favorite parts were at the end, where he describes some of the conservationists working hard to repopulate diminishing species.
January 27, 2020
I loved this book. It covered a range of issues pertaining to butterflies in an organized fashion, some that you might not even have been aware were issues. The author is primarily a journalist and it shows in his interview style, but he leads the reader to a wide assortment of characters almost as colorful as the butterflies themselves.
April 23, 2023
Very interesting if you love butterflies, which I always have! The author/journalist does a great job of making it seem you’re on adventures with him as he researches and interviews various people in the butterfly world. He makes it interesting without being too technical. Good read for nature lovers!
July 22, 2019
The author usually writes about war and crime, but switches gears for this book. Well written and thoroughly documented, but feels a bit long in places. I do, however, appreciate that he seems cover many different viewpoints, and attempts to portray them as best he can.
January 16, 2020
I enjoyed this book very much. I enjoyed the author's way of writing. There was a sense of ease to reading it. Laufer touched on a lot of the attraction to butterflies and the drive of the black market, which was eye opening to me.
May 20, 2018
Great book if you want to learn everything about butterflies while reading a fun documentary story.
July 20, 2020
Amazing that this can take place.
July 11, 2019
Nell’anno della biodiversità mi sarei aspettato un profluvio di libri riguardanti specie a rischio di estinzione, habitat in pericolo, personaggi che hanno lottato o lottano per l’ambiente e che sono in grado catalizzare l’attenzione sul degrado del nostro pianeta, ma fino ad ora le mie attese sono state deluse. Tra le poche presentate al pubblico possiamo però fortunatamente annoverare alcune pubblicazioni di grande qualità; tra queste La battaglia delle farfalle di Peter Laufer.
Al primo impatto questo libro sembra incentrato sulla minaccia che certa parte del collezionismo di lepidotteri rappresenta. In realtà il collezionismo è solo uno dei molteplici aspetti che l’autore affronta nel delineare il mondo di questi invertebrati. Credo di poter ravvisare tre diversi livelli di lettura. Prima di tutto vi sono le farfalle viste come organismi viventi e Laufer intervista studiosi, appassionati e protezionisti mettendone a fuoco la biologia e la biodiversità. Ogni pagina riserva qualche sorpresa. Questi insetti per esempio, pur essendo da sempre collegati a sensazioni di bellezza, libertà, spensieratezza, speranza che sembrano metterli al riparo delle difficoltà della vita, devono fronteggiare gli usuali problemi dell’esistenza alla pari di ogni altra creatura: mangiare, non essere mangiati, riprodursi. Le soluzioni sono a volte imprevedibili. È il caso degli stupri che i maschi di alcune specie compiono ai danni delle femmine allo stadio di pupa e che Laufer presenta nelle prime pagine spacciandoli per vita ordinaria di una farfalla. A noi uomini la vicenda appare raccapricciante, ma si tratta di un espediente necessario per assicurare alle femmine i maschi “migliori”. Infatti, attraverso l’emissione di potenti feromoni, sono le femmine stesse a chiamare i maschi che lotteranno tra loro per arrogarsi il diritto all’accoppiamento.
Vi sono poi le farfalle in quanto oggetto. Laufer svela un commercio internazionale di farfalle che finiscono nelle collezioni di migliaia di appassionati, alcuni dei quali disposti a sborsare cifre esorbitanti per le specie più pregiate. Viene ritratto anche un mercato nero dove si muovono individui di pochi scrupoli disposti a tutto pur di poter catturare e vendere una specie protetta e che sono braccati dai tutori della legge che altrettanto tenacemente si sforzano di incastrarli. In questo panorama, a tratti desolante, Laufer visita gli allevamenti di farfalle che producono legalmente individui destinati alle collezioni o ad essere liberati in cerimonie quali matrimoni, funerali e compleanni. La ciliegina sulla torta è costituita dalle farfalle, in verità sono i bruchi ad essere consumati generalmente, utilizzate come alimento umano: un aspetto che un occidentale fatica davvero a digerire.
Per finire Laufer si muove con agio anche nel campo dell’arte e della conservazione dell’ambiente (qui le farfalle sono viste come simbolo). Laufer passa in rassegna la produzione di artisti pressoché sconosciuti e di quelli più noti come Damien Hirst che ha visto battere all’asta per la modica somma di quattro milioni di dollari opere prodotte utilizzando farfalle come materiale. Il simbolo per eccellenza di ambienti a rischio di alterazione e distruzione è, invece, la farfalla monarca che compie traversate enormi per andare a riprodursi nelle foreste di abete sacro del Messico. Su queste foreste, minacciate dalla contrabbando del legname attuato da organizzazioni criminali e da agricoltori alla ricerca di una integrazione di reddito, si focalizzano gli sforzi delle organizzazioni internazionali che cercano di insegnare alle popolazioni locali il valore economico ed ambientale del territorio in cui vivono. Le farfalle monarca potranno sopravvivere a riduzione, frammentazione o scomparsa delle foreste di abete sacro?
Ho trovato il libro piacevole, istruttivo e appassionante al punto che ora, quando incontro una farfalla, mi chiedo cosa sia, dove vada, perché sia lì. Scienza e conservazione vengono trattate andando oltre gli aspetti tecnici e coinvolgendo i principali attori dei diversi campi. Leggeremo altri libri del genere? Lo spero. In questa occasione si è parlato di farfalle, ma di soggetti adatti (tartarughe, orchidee, coralli, felini…) ve ne sono molti altri e perché si inizi a comprendere cosa è la biodiversità abbiamo bisogno di ascoltare altre storie.
Al primo impatto questo libro sembra incentrato sulla minaccia che certa parte del collezionismo di lepidotteri rappresenta. In realtà il collezionismo è solo uno dei molteplici aspetti che l’autore affronta nel delineare il mondo di questi invertebrati. Credo di poter ravvisare tre diversi livelli di lettura. Prima di tutto vi sono le farfalle viste come organismi viventi e Laufer intervista studiosi, appassionati e protezionisti mettendone a fuoco la biologia e la biodiversità. Ogni pagina riserva qualche sorpresa. Questi insetti per esempio, pur essendo da sempre collegati a sensazioni di bellezza, libertà, spensieratezza, speranza che sembrano metterli al riparo delle difficoltà della vita, devono fronteggiare gli usuali problemi dell’esistenza alla pari di ogni altra creatura: mangiare, non essere mangiati, riprodursi. Le soluzioni sono a volte imprevedibili. È il caso degli stupri che i maschi di alcune specie compiono ai danni delle femmine allo stadio di pupa e che Laufer presenta nelle prime pagine spacciandoli per vita ordinaria di una farfalla. A noi uomini la vicenda appare raccapricciante, ma si tratta di un espediente necessario per assicurare alle femmine i maschi “migliori”. Infatti, attraverso l’emissione di potenti feromoni, sono le femmine stesse a chiamare i maschi che lotteranno tra loro per arrogarsi il diritto all’accoppiamento.
Vi sono poi le farfalle in quanto oggetto. Laufer svela un commercio internazionale di farfalle che finiscono nelle collezioni di migliaia di appassionati, alcuni dei quali disposti a sborsare cifre esorbitanti per le specie più pregiate. Viene ritratto anche un mercato nero dove si muovono individui di pochi scrupoli disposti a tutto pur di poter catturare e vendere una specie protetta e che sono braccati dai tutori della legge che altrettanto tenacemente si sforzano di incastrarli. In questo panorama, a tratti desolante, Laufer visita gli allevamenti di farfalle che producono legalmente individui destinati alle collezioni o ad essere liberati in cerimonie quali matrimoni, funerali e compleanni. La ciliegina sulla torta è costituita dalle farfalle, in verità sono i bruchi ad essere consumati generalmente, utilizzate come alimento umano: un aspetto che un occidentale fatica davvero a digerire.
Per finire Laufer si muove con agio anche nel campo dell’arte e della conservazione dell’ambiente (qui le farfalle sono viste come simbolo). Laufer passa in rassegna la produzione di artisti pressoché sconosciuti e di quelli più noti come Damien Hirst che ha visto battere all’asta per la modica somma di quattro milioni di dollari opere prodotte utilizzando farfalle come materiale. Il simbolo per eccellenza di ambienti a rischio di alterazione e distruzione è, invece, la farfalla monarca che compie traversate enormi per andare a riprodursi nelle foreste di abete sacro del Messico. Su queste foreste, minacciate dalla contrabbando del legname attuato da organizzazioni criminali e da agricoltori alla ricerca di una integrazione di reddito, si focalizzano gli sforzi delle organizzazioni internazionali che cercano di insegnare alle popolazioni locali il valore economico ed ambientale del territorio in cui vivono. Le farfalle monarca potranno sopravvivere a riduzione, frammentazione o scomparsa delle foreste di abete sacro?
Ho trovato il libro piacevole, istruttivo e appassionante al punto che ora, quando incontro una farfalla, mi chiedo cosa sia, dove vada, perché sia lì. Scienza e conservazione vengono trattate andando oltre gli aspetti tecnici e coinvolgendo i principali attori dei diversi campi. Leggeremo altri libri del genere? Lo spero. In questa occasione si è parlato di farfalle, ma di soggetti adatti (tartarughe, orchidee, coralli, felini…) ve ne sono molti altri e perché si inizi a comprendere cosa è la biodiversità abbiamo bisogno di ascoltare altre storie.
March 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and feel bad that it took me so long to finish.
January 17, 2023
As a person who worked with butterflies, it’s a no for me dog. The butterfly rape in chapter 1 was a killer on the spot. DNF.
March 7, 2020
Check out more of my reviews on my blog!
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Peter Laufer used to believe that butterflies and flowers are an analogy for tranquility. He needed an answer for a persistent question and as a journalist he was tired of war and the horrible things in the world, so on a whim Peter Laufer said he was going to write about butterflies. Little did he know that an American lady living in Nicaragua would take him seriously and invite him to her little piece of land to begin exploring the world of butterflies. Peter Laufer had no idea what a treacherous world he was about to step into. The Dangerous World of Butterflies is this story of exploration. Peter Laufer discovers collectors, criminals, and cops all obsessed with these tiny and miraculous creatures. He explores the roles of butterflies in history and different cultures’ mythology and art. He stumbles into stories of organized crime, ecological devastation, and a growing list of endangered butterflies. Your garden, the creatures in it, and the world will not look the same to you after reading this book.
The Dangerous World of Butterflies drew me in right from the title. I had never thought that the world of butterflies was actually quite dangerous and even had some very infamous criminals. I was surprised at how naive I had been about butterfly trading and the troubles that plagued many species of butterflies. I had always innocently associated butterflies with peace and rainbows and all the good things in the world but this book opened my eyes.
One thing that made my experience better as a reader was that Peter Laufer always presented both sides of everything. This was very helpful as it allowed me to look at the problem or debate, examine “all the evidence,” and then take a stand on it and decide what I believed to be the right course of action or the right choice to be. It also showed the opposing views on things that I already believed in such as evolution vs. creationism.
I found the book to be...
You can find the rest of this review here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter Laufer used to believe that butterflies and flowers are an analogy for tranquility. He needed an answer for a persistent question and as a journalist he was tired of war and the horrible things in the world, so on a whim Peter Laufer said he was going to write about butterflies. Little did he know that an American lady living in Nicaragua would take him seriously and invite him to her little piece of land to begin exploring the world of butterflies. Peter Laufer had no idea what a treacherous world he was about to step into. The Dangerous World of Butterflies is this story of exploration. Peter Laufer discovers collectors, criminals, and cops all obsessed with these tiny and miraculous creatures. He explores the roles of butterflies in history and different cultures’ mythology and art. He stumbles into stories of organized crime, ecological devastation, and a growing list of endangered butterflies. Your garden, the creatures in it, and the world will not look the same to you after reading this book.
The Dangerous World of Butterflies drew me in right from the title. I had never thought that the world of butterflies was actually quite dangerous and even had some very infamous criminals. I was surprised at how naive I had been about butterfly trading and the troubles that plagued many species of butterflies. I had always innocently associated butterflies with peace and rainbows and all the good things in the world but this book opened my eyes.
One thing that made my experience better as a reader was that Peter Laufer always presented both sides of everything. This was very helpful as it allowed me to look at the problem or debate, examine “all the evidence,” and then take a stand on it and decide what I believed to be the right course of action or the right choice to be. It also showed the opposing views on things that I already believed in such as evolution vs. creationism.
I found the book to be...
You can find the rest of this review here.
October 10, 2024
Laufer writes clearly and succinctly so any complicated scientific info is easy to understand. He often presents the science through the stories of the people involved, and presents all sides of an issue.
Laufer is an investigative journalist who has brought that experience into play as it is evident the book was well researched.
Laufer is an investigative journalist who has brought that experience into play as it is evident the book was well researched.
September 30, 2012
I can't say that this book was amazing, but it was an interesting look into a world I (and probably most) never knew existed. Most people love butterflies, but who ever thought to look into it deeper than that? Before this book, I had never known about butterfly smugglers, the practice of "farming" them, or even people with butterfly phobias.
That said, this book starts off with the author introducing himself, and speaking about his previous books about wars and other human issues. He knows very little about the biological aspect of things, political or otherwise, and it shows. He was a beginner at learning about butterflies, so the writing is not only very unorganized, but he also writes about each new thing like its amazing, which is fine for the truly interesting things, but after a whole book about it, it gets tiring. Lastly, the writing style itself has nothing to draw you in- the stories are interesting, and the author is not a bad writer; however, when it is put together so unorganized, its hard to get into it, and as a result there is no excitement that makes you want to keep reading.
That said, this book starts off with the author introducing himself, and speaking about his previous books about wars and other human issues. He knows very little about the biological aspect of things, political or otherwise, and it shows. He was a beginner at learning about butterflies, so the writing is not only very unorganized, but he also writes about each new thing like its amazing, which is fine for the truly interesting things, but after a whole book about it, it gets tiring. Lastly, the writing style itself has nothing to draw you in- the stories are interesting, and the author is not a bad writer; however, when it is put together so unorganized, its hard to get into it, and as a result there is no excitement that makes you want to keep reading.
November 2, 2009
This was okay. Little to no mention of the butterfly farms. What "bugged" me (get it?) was the author. He was very smug and condescending for most of the book, especially for someone who didn't know that painted ladies fly farther every year than monarchs. Even someone as dumb as me knew that! <---- And that right there was the heart of the problem. He wrote the book like everyone who would ever read it would be completely stupid. It was not nearly as enjoyable as it should have been, because the subject matter was awesome, but Laufer talked down to the reader throughout the book. He also thought he was God's gift to comedy writers, apparently, becasue he tried to write like Hodgeman. (dry wit) It didn't work. He didn't come off as funny, it just added to the "I'm better than you and smarter than you" mentality Laufer wrote with. I bought this in May and I saw Laufer on The Daily Show in September; he didn't seem like a jerk in real life.
August 18, 2011
Phew, finally finished reading this which apparently I first picked up back in 2010. Naughty, naughty reader.
Well, I think it just took a little while for me to get into it, but once i picked it up again a week ago, it was all smooth sailing.
If you like butterflies, you'll enjoy this book, if you love, well you'll love this :o)
Never realized how truly dangerous and exciting the world of butterfly conservation and research can be. Heck, i didn't even realize that there are people out there, right now, trying to repopulate butterfly species in the wild. I'd of course read about all the cute mammal repopulation schemes, but never knew that this was being done for insects as well. And not even just for some sexy hot butterfly species, but for some that are just 'oh hum' :o)
Loved learning about all that's going on in Palos Verdes and all the hard work being done. Go Butterfly Conservationists!
Well, I think it just took a little while for me to get into it, but once i picked it up again a week ago, it was all smooth sailing.
If you like butterflies, you'll enjoy this book, if you love, well you'll love this :o)
Never realized how truly dangerous and exciting the world of butterfly conservation and research can be. Heck, i didn't even realize that there are people out there, right now, trying to repopulate butterfly species in the wild. I'd of course read about all the cute mammal repopulation schemes, but never knew that this was being done for insects as well. And not even just for some sexy hot butterfly species, but for some that are just 'oh hum' :o)
Loved learning about all that's going on in Palos Verdes and all the hard work being done. Go Butterfly Conservationists!
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