Title
The Map Thief: The Gripping Story of an Esteemed RareMap Dealer Who Made Millions Stealing Priceless Maps,New
Delivery time: 8-12 business days (International)
The story of an infamous crime, a revered map dealer with an unsavory secret, and the ruthless subculture that consumed himMaps have long exerted a special fascination on viewersboth as beautiful works of art and as practical tools to navigate the world. But to those who collect them, the map trade can be a cutthroat business, inhabited by quirky and sometimes disreputable characters in search of a finite number of extremely rare objects.Once considered a respectable antiquarian map dealer, E. Forbes Smiley spent years doubling as a map thief until he was finally arrested slipping maps out of books in the Yale University library. The Map Thief delves into the untold history of this fascinating highstakes criminal and the inside story of the industry that consumed him.Acclaimed reporter Michael Blanding has interviewed all the key players in this strangerthanfiction story, and shares the fascinating histories of maps that charted the New World, and how they went from being practical instruments to quirky heirlooms to highly coveted objects. Though pieces of the map theft story have been written before, Blanding is the first reporter to explore the story in fulland had the rare privilege of having access to Smiley himself after hed gone silent in the wake of his crimes. Moreover, although Smiley swears he has admitted to all of the maps he stole, libraries claim he stole hundreds moreand offer intriguing clues to prove it. Now, through a series of exclusive interviews with Smiley and other key individuals, Blanding teases out an astonishing tale of destruction and redemption.The Map Thief interweaves Smileys escapades with the stories of the explorers and mapmakers he knew better than anyone. Tracking a series of thefts as brazen as the art heists in Provenance and a subculture as obsessive as the oenophiles in The Billionaires Vinegar, Blanding has pieced together an unforgettable story of highstakes crime.
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⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
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Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Map Thief'? A: 'The Map Thief' explores the dual life of E. Forbes Smiley, a respected rare-map dealer who turned into a thief, highlighting the intense world of map collecting and the criminal activities surrounding it.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Map Thief'? A: The author of 'The Map Thief' is Michael Blanding, an acclaimed reporter known for his investigative storytelling.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Map Thief' have? A: 'The Map Thief' contains 320 pages, providing a comprehensive look into the life of E. Forbes Smiley and the map theft industry.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: 'The Map Thief' is available in paperback binding, making it a portable and accessible read.
- Q: When was 'The Map Thief' published? A: 'The Map Thief' was published on June 2, 2015, and is available as a reprint edition.
- Q: Is 'The Map Thief' suitable for all readers? A: 'The Map Thief' is primarily suited for readers interested in true crime, history, and the art of map collecting, but it is recommended for mature audiences due to its themes.
- Q: What makes 'The Map Thief' unique compared to other true crime books? A: 'The Map Thief' is unique as it delves deeply into the specific subculture of map collecting, combining a personal narrative with historical insights and exclusive interviews.
- Q: Can 'The Map Thief' be enjoyed by someone with no background in maps? A: Yes, 'The Map Thief' can be enjoyed by readers without a background in maps, as it presents a compelling narrative that explores broader themes of crime, obsession, and redemption.
- Q: What kind of research did the author conduct for this book? A: Michael Blanding conducted extensive research, including interviews with key figures in the map theft case and exploration of the history and significance of rare maps.
- Q: Is 'The Map Thief' part of a series? A: 'The Map Thief' is a standalone book and is not part of a series, focusing solely on the story of E. Forbes Smiley and the world of map theft.