The Lizard King
The True Crimes and Passions of the World's Greatest Reptile Smugglers

Ray Van Nostrand is nuts about reptiles. Even as a child, he bought and resold thousands of turtles, snakes, newts and other creepy crawly things. Before regulation of such trade began in the late 20th century (strange to phrase it that way) it was legal to import all sorts of endangered animals. Po......more

Really interesting read! I didn’t know that there was so much going on in the illegal reptile trade industry, and how easy it is for people to get away with things (which, to someone who studies the Endangered Species Act, is extremely infuriating but sadly not surprising). It was really cool learni......more

Reading 'The Lizard King' was not because I have an interest in reptiles. They’re not my thing. Heck, I get nervous being near candy Gummy Worms. However, I’ve found out over the past ten years that Twelve Publishers prints some damn interesting material, so ‘The Lizard King’ attracted my attention.......more

I enjoyed this unusual true crime book very much with its colorful cast of characters. It was extremely sad to me that the people fighting the exploitation of reptiles and, in fact, all wildlife, have so little clout in the legal arena. Importers of endangered illegal species make millions and risk......more

Much more interesting than I expected. I never knew there was such a booming illegal and legal reptile business.......more