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Serving the Dart Frog Community Since 2004...

Stolen World: A Tale of Reptiles, Smugglers and Skulduggery”
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Stolen World: A Tale of Reptiles, Smugglers and Skulduggery”
#1
oh my. Even though this book, like it's previous "cousin" The Lizard King, deals mainly in Reptiles.......you can bet it'll be an interesting read and will share more than a couple similarities with our hobby.....whoa.

Stolen World: A Tale of Reptiles, Smugglers and Skulduggery” by Jennuie Erin Smith, And the Following Review From Publisher’s Weekly Tells Us Why:

“In this very disturbing and very entertaining chronicle of reptile smugglers, the collectors and zoo keepers who trade with them, and the federal agents who try to catch them, the humans are as devious, dangerous, and creepily charming as the cold-blooded creatures they lust after. Science reporter Smith bases her book on extensive original interviews with two smugglers: Henry Molt Jr. is a reptile dealer who, in the 1960s, unable to get a job with a zoo, began a lifelong career of reptile collecting involving restless international travel, partner-stiffing, and jail time, with an undaunted enthusiasm that's survived into his 60s: "The reptile business ‘is a disease,' he said, and you can't retire from a disease." Equally outrageous is the volatile, knife-wielding Tommy Crutchfield, who expanded his childhood alligator-and-snake business into a million-dollar empire of reptile hunting and dealing. Even the curators of the Bronx and San Diego zoos let their obsession with the animals lure them into deals in order to obtain illegally imported rare breeds. Smith's affection for these unsavory people gives the book an intriguing moral ambiguity (which might make some environmentalists cringe), but the subculture's brazen shenanigans make for a convoluted, fascinating tale”.

Hitting the bookstand in Jan 2011....I believe

Yep its out !! Borders Books has it.
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#2
I read it about a couple months ago when I was at the lake training. Its definitely a good read for anyone knowledgable about the herp hobby. That said I know Tom and have had a few dealings with Hank Molt back quite a few years back with Global for a trio of Parson's chams.. I dont know I believe all the talk on what went on but those two definitely have a shady past. I wont give up the details but its worth the read.
I know it takes some serious luck in the herp world to go from nothing to having millions in herps.

Michael
Everyday I meet someone I dislike, are you today's pick? If you dislike me it's because somethings wrong with you!

Don't Be A Hybridiot!
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#3
Very odd that there is no news on the latest death incident on Tom's place down in Homestead.

I was just down there- walking around in the same "hot room" that Bruce died in, 1.5 years ago.

Kinda unnerving...
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#4
Thanks, Phil. I just ordered a copy from Amazon.com.
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#5
Be sure to get "The Lizard King" by Bryan Christy too. It was the 'first' book of it's kind.

Bear in mind, BOTH books are written with a 'slant' to market and sell them. They are not pure 'investigative journalism'.

as always..."the Truth is often found in the middle'.....
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#6
Actually I ordered them both. Thanks again.
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#7
anyone else read these two books ? If you are interested in the exotic animal hobby and industry here in the U.S, they are a must read!
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