The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much follows the criminal exploits of John Charles Gilkey, who stole rare books and manuscripts from dealers across America using fraudulent credit cards and checks. The story centers on his cat-and-mouse game with Ken Sanders, a rare book dealer who becomes determined to stop Gilkey's thefts. Author Allison Hoover Bartlett gained unprecedented access to both Gilkey and Sanders, conducting extensive interviews and research into the specialized world of rare book collecting. The book details the methods used by both the thief and those trying to catch him, while exploring the culture and practices of rare book dealing. The narrative reconstructs major heists and investigations, introducing readers to the networks of dealers, collectors, and law enforcement officials involved in the rare book trade. The book examines the security measures, or lack thereof, that made such thefts possible. This true crime account raises questions about the nature of book collecting, exploring the line between passion and obsession, ownership and desire. The story reveals how the love of books can manifest in both legitimate and criminal pursuits.

Reader reviews describe this true crime story about rare book thief John Gilkey as engaging but uneven. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of the rare book trade and collecting - The parallel stories of the thief and the detective tracking him - Details about famous book thefts throughout history - Behind-the-scenes look at antiquarian book dealers Common criticisms: - Lack of resolution or satisfying ending - Too much focus on author's personal journey/opinions - Repetitive content and pacing issues - Limited insight into Gilkey's psychology - Some found the subject matter dry Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (300+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (400+ ratings) One frequent comment from readers: "Expected more depth about the criminal's motivations." Multiple reviewers noted the book works better as an overview of rare book collecting than as a true crime narrative.

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🔍 John Charles Gilkey stole approximately $100,000 worth of rare books in a single year (2003), often using stolen credit card numbers and elaborate schemes to acquire them. 📚 The rare book trade in the United States is estimated to be worth over $500 million annually, with first editions of important works sometimes selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars. 🕵️ Ken Sanders, the "bibliodick" who pursued Gilkey, served as the Security Chair of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) for many years, creating an informal network to track book theft. ✍️ Allison Hoover Bartlett spent years researching the story, including conducting extensive prison interviews with Gilkey, who openly discussed his methods while showing little remorse. 📖 One of Gilkey's most coveted targets was James Joyce's "Ulysses," specifically the 1922 first edition published by Shakespeare and Company in Paris, valued at over $65,000 at the time of his attempts to steal it.