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The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary...

Allison Hoover Bartlett

Start date: February 1, 2010

Finish date: March 31, 2010

Discussion: Group Book Discussion

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What Members Thought

Nov 18, 2013 Tiffani rated it liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, read-in-2013, lit-explorer-2013, true-crime

In The Man Who Loved Books Too Much author Allison Hoover Bartlett recounts the exploits of John Gilkey, an unrepentant book thief, and the people, like Ken Sanders, who try to stop him. I thought I hit the jackpot when I came across this book but I didn't connect with this book as I expected. It was written well enough, that wasn't the problem.

One thing I realized in reading this is that while I collect books, I am not a Book Collector. I own hundreds of book and love being around books. When t In The Man Who Loved Books Too Much author Allison Hoover Bartlett recounts the exploits of John Gilkey, an unrepentant book thief, and the people, like Ken Sanders, who try to stop him. I thought I hit the jackpot when I came across this book but I didn't connect with this book as I expected. It was written well enough, that wasn't the problem.

One thing I realized in reading this is that while I collect books, I am not a Book Collector. I own hundreds of book and love being around books. When traveling to new places, my itinerary often includes visits to local bookstores or libraries. I fully understand the the pleasure of holding a book in one's hand. I appreciate books the craftsmanship and the artistry that went into creating the object, But ultimately, I loved to read. Alas, this is what separates me from Book Collectors. I'm glad there are people out there who are working to preserve first editions and other books for posterity but for my own purposes, a copy bought at my local Barnes & Noble will do just fine.

In addition to finding it difficult to relate to Book Collectors, I also found it difficult to relate to (or care about) John Gilkey, which is problematic since the story is mostly about him. Gilkey aspires to create a grand, personal library. Bartlett posits that Gilkey aspires to not only present the image of a "cultured gentleman" but to become that gentleman. Wanting to better one's self is understandable and even admirable. In this light Gilkey could be the protagonist in a Horatio Alger story, except for one problem, he's a thief.

According to Bartlett, Gilkey's justification for stealing books from rare book dealers, many of whom appear to be small businesses, and libraries is that the world is unfair to him and this is his way of evening the score. Rare books are expensive and dealers act unfairly when they sell books at a price he cannot afford (though one gets the sense that even if he could afford them he would still steal). If a salesperson wasn't as prompt or polite as he expected, that store deserves to be stolen from. Gilkey reasoned that when he stole books, often by using credit card numbers he stole while employed at a department store, the stores he stole from had insurance that would cover the costs, so no harm no foul. That insurance might not cover everything, assuming the book store even has insurance, that a person might prefer the book to the money, or that people just don't like it when people take their stuff without payment or permission, just didn't seem to occur or matter to him. It was infuriating to read repeatedly about Gilkey justified his thieving.

The other main character in this story is Ken Sanders, who once served as the security chair for the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America. It was Ken who connected the dots behind a series of book thefts in Northern California. His diligence and perseverance in protecting himself and others like him from the likes of Gilkey is admirable. ...more

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Jun 30, 2011 Shh rated it liked it

Shelves: nonfiction, books-on-the-nights-stand-recommend, artful-dodgers-crime-in-the-art-wor, bookmarks-book

Short Review: The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession By Allison Hoover Bartlett

Genre: Nonfiction

Sub-Category: Books About Books, Crime

Publisher/Publication Date: Published September 17th 2009 by Riverhead Books

Audio Publisher: Tantor Media

Did I finish the Book?: Yes, this was my swimming book. I usually have three books going at a time. One, I read/listen to while swimming laps for an hour each day; another, I listen to in t ...more

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Apr 02, 2014 Kara Fitzjarrald rated it it was ok

Shelves: on-audio

I thought this book sounded fantastic. And the plot line basically was. But it lacked detail and interest really. It was hard to attach myself to this book.

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Jul 17, 2011 Erika Nerdypants rated it liked it

Shelves: true-crime, non-fiction, read-in-2012

I love books, so a book about books...well what's not to love? I was blown away by how expensive some rare books can actually get, but what I liked most about this, was her musings about why some of us are so enthralled with books. Winston Churchill who was a bibliophile, advised us to read our books, but if we can't, then we are to "handle them, and if it were, fondle them. Peer into them, let them fall open where they will..." Wonderful advice. ...more

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