ANN ARBOR—A bibliokleptomaniac whose notorious “Blumberg Collection” consisted of 23,600 rare books, all
of them stolen from libraries, including the University of
Michigan library; a successful businessman who paid $2.1
million at auction for four Shakespeare folios and was in
bankruptcy for $32 million within a year; a postal employee
whose collection of English literature filled his house to
overflowing and who died alone among his books.

This gallery of characters is brought to life by
Nicholas A. Basbanes, author of “A Gentle Madness:
Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for
Books.” Basbanes, a nationally syndicated book columnist,
recently completed his second book, “Lions at the Gate,”
and will discuss this new work Dec. 8, on the seventh floor
of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library at the U-M.

The program, “Adventures Among the Gently Mad,” will
begin with a 5 p.m. reception followed at 5:30 by Basbanes’
presentation. A book signing will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Admission is free, but space is limited. To reserve a
seat, call (734) 763-7368 or register by e-mail at

[email protected].