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"Who knew the world of reptile smuggling was so poisonous? ...An exciting story of smugglers, lawmen, corrupt government officials, organized crime, and slithery beasts." |
HARD CALLGreat Decisions and the Extraordinary People Who Made Them by John McCain with Mark Salter
"If all else fails, the Senator from Arizona can always fall back on his writing career... Reminiscent of JFK's Profiles in Courage, except that instead of focusing exclusively on politicians, it describes the gutsy, contrarian stands of sports heroes, scientists, and entrepreneurs... The subtext is clear: Here is an elected official who is not afraid to take a lonely position and stick to it."
—Alan Cooperman, Washington Post
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Dear Reader,
It is my pleasure to introduce you to Bryan Christy, a new author with a strange and fascinating story to tell. On the surface, The Lizard King is a tale of a crafty reptile smuggler and the federal agent who tries to catch him. Beneath the surface, you will discover the reptiles themselves, and much more: an unusual family; the underbelly of a vast criminal enterprise; and the ideals of the conservation movement. The Van Nostrands, the family at the center of The Lizard King, are the owners of Strictly Reptiles, a thriving business in Hollywood, Florida. To some, Michael is a dutiful son of Ray, a living legend among the snake-hunting set. But to Special Agent Chip Bepler of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Van Nostrands are the biggest and most notorious reptile smugglers in the United States. For five years, Bepler, a lifelong nature lover, made it his personal mission to stop them – a mission that soon becomes international in scope, as the reptile smuggling network extends to parts of Asia and Europe. Bryan Christy has investigated and explored this subculture with the zeal of a lifelong reptile lover and the acuity of a top-notch lawyer (which he was for many years). He takes us into a world in which collectors are willing to pay over $100,000 for a rare white python, and where smugglers are willing to go to extremes to capture the jungle's next Holy Grail. The Lizard King will intrigue and amaze you. Sincerely, Jonathan Karp |
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