I chose to read The Map Thief by Michael Blanding. This is a true story about a map dealer turned map thief. With my interest in geography and maps I found this book very interesting and would recommend this book to anyone who shares my interest. I specifically enjoyed reading about the maps and some of the history behind them along with learning the age of some of these maps. The pictures in the book of different maps also interest me and show the progression of mapmaking throughout history. For someone like E. Forbes Smiley III who has a passion for collecting and preserving maps, it is hard to fathom that he would do anything to alter them. However, Michael Blanding was able to show through investigation that Smiley did just this. Although his intent was not to ruin them, he still stole from numerous museums and libraries. Many of us have the same question, why would someone so successful and famous among map dealers throw his life away in pursuit of more wealth? Even though Smiley is locked away and has confessed the maps he has stole, many people still believe there are other maps he has stolen that he has not confessed to. This is probably one of my favorite books, since it goes along so well with my interests.
For someone like E. Forbes Smiley III who has a passion for collecting and preserving maps, it is hard to fathom that he would do anything to alter them. However, Michael Blanding was able to show through investigation that Smiley did just this. Although his intent was not to ruin them, he still stole from numerous museums and libraries. Many of us have the same question, why would someone so successful and famous among map dealers throw his life away in pursuit of more wealth? Even though Smiley is locked away and has confessed the maps he has stole, many people still believe there are other maps he has stolen that he has not confessed to. This is probably one of my favorite books, since it goes along so well with my interests.