The Man Who Loved Books Too Much – Review

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.

John Charles Gilkey, the book loving man, has spent years pilfering those books which he desires.  Ken Sanders, the “bibliodick”, has spent the same number of years tracking the book thief. Allison Hoover Bartlett has created a wonderful account of her time spent with both men in The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession.  Through her words, the world of book collecting is brought to life revealing the passion and sometimes preoccupation of those involved in this endeavor.  While reading the responses of John Gilkey during the authors chats with him, I do not consider him a book lover.  His belief is that since he cannot afford these literary finds it is perfectly reasonable for him to take them by whatever means necessary. After all, the bookseller has insurance, right? His need to create a persona of himself as a wordly, educated, book collector has become an obsession and he reveals his narcissistic nature to Ms. Bartlett bit by bit over the years she stayed in contact with him. Ken Sanders has an obsession in finding the elusive book bandit. He is at times very helpful and open with Ms. Bartlett yet there are moments where is displeasure of her contact with the book thief is apparent.

Ms. Bartlett has shed a great light on this book loving world.  Her interviews with other book dealers  reveals the heart of book lovers – many obsessed but honest in their pursuit of the next great find.  Her descriptions of coveted titles (One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey worth $7,500) and visits to book collector conventions and rare book stores made my mouth water.  Yum!  This book reminded me why I purposely stay away from the rare book sections of the second-hand bookstores I frequent and do not dare to attend some of the collectors fairs that pop-up in the area. I am fascinated with rare and interesting books – not necessarily for the story within the pages but the story behind the book.  As a book lover, this was such an interesting and eye opening story, one that any other bookie would thoroughly enjoy!

Do you feel a sense of wonder when you run across a rare first printing or a signed copy of a book?

Thank you to publisher for giving me the opportunity to read the advanced reader copy of this great book.

Book Information:

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (September 17, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594488916
• ISBN-13: 978-1594488917

**Related Info**

Ken Sanders not only served as the security chair for the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America he is also a rare book dealer himself. His website, Ken Sanders Rare Books, features local events, a complete inventory of his stock and a truly interesting first hand narrative of his time chasing John Gilkey.  He also provides a list of books that were recovered from Gilkey’s apartment. The owners of these titles have not been identified as of yet.  Below is just a small sampling of some of the books confiscated:

• Appleton, Victor. Tom Swift and His Air Glider.
• Dinesen, Isak. Shadows on the Grass.
• Jones, James. The Thin Red Line.
• King, Stephen. The Dead Zone (signed).
• Levin, Ira. Rosemary’s Baby.
• Lovecraft, H.P. The Dunwich Horror and Others.
• Milne, A.A. Winnie-the-Pooh, When We Were Very Young, Now We Are Six, and The House at Pooh Corner (all Methuen in limp leather and publisher’s boxes).

Reading this book peaked my curiosity about what is happening in the rare book world.  I know, I know – dangerous territory.  Fade Giant is a great site to find out how much that old book on your shelf may be worth.  It also has Ebay selling tips, a signature guide, tips on book collecting, links to other antiquarian sites  and a “what’s hot at auction” section.  What is hot now you may be wondering?

First edition of J.D. Salinger’s Cather in the Rye, in the dustjacket and in very good condition are selling between $3,000 and $5,000 at auction. Nope, not on my bookshelf!!!

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