The Feather Thief/Kirk Wallace Johnson – January 11th at 7:00

This book is subtitled Beauty, Obsession and the Natural History Heist of the Century and has been referred to as “One of the most peculiar and memorable true-crime books ever” by the Christian Science Monitor. NPR says “Absorbing . . . Though it’s non-fiction, The Feather Thief contains many of the elements of a classic thriller.”   The Feather Thief is the story of Edwin Rist who was so obsessed with the Victorian art of fly-tying that he broke in to the Tring Museum of Natural History and stole hundreds of bird skins, some collected as early as the mid-nineteenth century, and escaped in to the night.  The book explores man’s obsessions and the  destructive instinct of trying to garner the beauty of nature.  Join us for what promises to be a fascinating evening of discussion and more.  Copies of the book are available at the library.