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

(Paperback)

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Description

Unrepentant book thief John Charles Gilkey has stolen a fortune in rare books from around the US. Yet unlike most thieves, who steal for profit, Gilkey steals for love - the love of books. Perhaps equally obsessed is Ken Sanders, the self-appointed 'bibliodick' who's driven to catch him. Following this eccentric cat-and-mouse chase with a mixture of suspense, insight and humour, Allison Hoover Bartlett plunges the reader into a rich world of fanatical book lust and considers what it is that makes some people stop at nothing to possess the titles they love.

Reviews

In this great read about the collectors obsession gone wrong, Ms. Bartlett gives us fascinating glimpses of the rare book world, the criminal mind and the limits of journalistic involvement. Anyone who has trouble passing a used bookstore without going in will love this book.
Lynn H. Nicholas, author of The Rape of Europa

Hats off to Allison Bartlett for a splendid contribution to the literature of bibliophilia/bibliomania, the John GilkeyKen bibliodick Sanders story is one that cried out to be told, and she has accomplished it with style and substance. Very nicely done.
Nicholas A. Basbanes, author of A Gentle Madness

A fascinating journey into a strange, obsessive world where a love for books can sometimes become a fatal attraction.
Simon Worrall, author of The Poet and the Murderer

John Gilkey wanted to own a rich-mans library in the worst way, and was soon acquiring expensive first editions in the very worst way of all: theft. Allison Hoover Bartletts The Man Who Loved Books Too Much is the enthralling account of a gently mad con artist and his fraudulent credit-card scams, but its also a meditation on the urge to collect and a terrific introduction to the close-knit, swashbuckling world of antiquarian book dealers.
Michael Dirda, Pulitzer Prizewinning critic and author of Classics for Pleasure and the memoir An Open Book

Allison Hoover Bartlett has written a meticulous and fascinating book about a serial bookthief and the persistent sleuth who dogged him for years and finally caught him. It will be especially gripping for those of us who trade in antiquarian books, who owe much to Ken Sanderss persistence. A fine read.
Larry McMurtry, bestselling author of Books: A Memoir and the Pulitzer Prizewinning Lonesome Dove

With its brilliantly observed details, wry humor, and thrilling plot twists, Bartletts narrative drew me deep into the obsessive world of a book thief and the dealer determined to stop him. Its a captivating cat-and-mouse game and a fascinating exploration of why people are so passionate about books. If you liked The Orchid Thief, youre going to love The Man Who Loved Books Too Much.
Julia Flynn Siler, author of The House of Mondavi

Bartletts tale of literary intrigue makes you fall in love with books all over again. From her fascinating descriptions of prized manuscripts to her profile of a man who took an obsession too far, her story will leave you hankering to read more.
Julia Scheeres, author of Jesus Land

As a rule I approach unsolicited galleys with the same degree of delight that I reserve for root canals. This book surprised me. I read the first paragraph and was drawn in, not so much by the subject matter as by the author's cozy, quiet style, evocative of the work of Dava Sobel and Janet Malcolm. I found the narrative compelling, and I loved the inside stories about old books.
Erik Larson, bestselling author of The Devil and the White City

Author Bio

Allison Hoover Bartlett's writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, and other publications. Her original article on John Gilkey was included in The Best American Crime Reporting 2007.