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The Lizard King: The True Crimes and Passions of the World's Greatest Reptile Smugglers |  | Author: Bryan Christy
Publisher: Twelve
Category: Book
List Price: $13.99
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Seller: bookcloseouts_us
Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 147554
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1 Reprint
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.8
ISBN: 0446699756
Dewey Decimal Number: 364
EAN: 9780446699754
ASIN: 0446699756
Publication Date: August 5, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
When Bryan Christy began to investigate the world of reptile smuggling, he had no idea what he would be in for. In the course of his research, he was bitten between the eyes by a blood python, chased by a mother alligator, and sprayed by a bird-eating tarantula. But perhaps more dangerous was coming face to face with Michael J. Van Nostrand, owner of Strictly Reptiles, a thriving family business in Hollywood, Florida. Van Nostrand imports as many as 300,000 iguanas each year (over half the total of America's most popular imported reptile), as well as hundreds of thousands of snakes, lizards, frogs, spiders and scorpions. Van Nostrand was suspected of being a reptile smuggler by Special Agent Chip Bepler of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who devoted years of his life in an obsessive quest to expose The Lizard King's cold-blooded crimes. How this cat-and-mouse game ended is engrossing and surprising.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
 A Gripping Tale November 29, 2008
W. Fenton (Millville, NJ United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
"The Lizard King" is a gripping tale that takes readers into the subterranean world of reptile smuggling. The book features a fascinating cast of characters, ranging from bold, brash smuggling kingpins to the honorable men and women of the law who pursue them against great odds. Lay readers will learn a wealth of information about the world of legitimate reptile collecting and the seamy underworld of reptile smuggling. The scale of both is eye-opening. Thanks to gaping holes in the laws governing reptile importation and the high level of demand among legitimate and illegitimate collectors for exotic species, smuggling of protected and endangered animals has been relatively easy and tremendously lucrative. The odds are stacked against government agents who have made it their life's work to protect these beautiful and rare species.
Author Bryan Christy is to be commended for his voluminous research. It is always a pleasure to discover a book that opens up a world previously unknown to a reader. He also deserves credit for the courage it took to gain access to some of the smuggling world's most powerful players so that he could authenticate facts for his story. I found the subject matter deeply engaging throughout.
Christy also shows skill in assuming a neutral tone in describing the exploits of both the smugglers and the lawmen who are trying to bring them to justice. He tells the story from both points of view so the reader understands the thinking of both sides. Although some readers may feel that his narrative stance should be one of moral outrage toward the smugglers, I found his objectivity to be a more effective tone. It drew from me a feeling of revulsion toward the smugglers and elicited my admiration for the government agents pursuing them. Had the author taken a strongly moralistic tone toward his subject, I likely would have felt less outrage myself, for the writer would have done most of the work for me.
The Lizard King is a book that deserves wide circulation. Its readers will not be disappointed.
The Lizard King August 29, 2008
Chad C. Ramsey (Atlanta Ga)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
What a well written book. One of those books i just could not put down. One of the best book that i have read in a LONG time.
Awesome Read August 22, 2008
Tom Dekker
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The "Lizard King" is awesome. After each chapter, you look forward to the next.
It's a real life thriller which takes you into a world of reptile smuggling from all angles: the business, people, law enforcement, custom officials, legal and the criminal element. This world is revealed in masterfully told story which brings to life the people, their motives and passions, and a great conflict of personalities, their egos and gamesmanship. Further, it draws you into the fight between "good and evil" within this world and among themselves.
If you liked "Into the Wild", you'll love the "The Lizard King". It's better.
Slithery Suspense December 4, 2008
C. Aucella
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Bryan Christy's Lizard King has all the qualities I look for in a good read - outstanding writing, a compelling story, conscienceness raising information, and suspense. I couldn't put the book down and when I was finished I read it all over again!
Great book on the underbelly of the reptile industry! April 14, 2009
Garrick DeMeyer (Wausau, WI USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am a professional reptile breeder, so I wanted to see for myself what this book was about. I was fascinated from beginning to end. There is so much history of the reptile industry included in the book. It was interesting to see how the industry changed over the years, with all the new species that became available, and when the demand for rare and exotic color morphs started. It really is an eye-opener for people that have no idea how big the reptile hobby and industry is, or how much money is involved. I'm sure I'm biased because of my profession, but I thought it was a great book, with a lot of research going into it. I think that people with an interest in reptiles will find the book the most appealing, but even a casual-reader with no particular interest in reptiles would find this book a great read.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 22
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