In this captivating discussion, BJ Gooch, a retired librarian with a passion for rare books, and Eric Borsuk, one of the young masterminds behind a notorious book heist, share their unique perspectives. They delve into the audacious planning that led to the theft of $750,000 worth of rare manuscripts and the moral dilemmas they faced. Eric recaps the chaos of the FBI raid, while BJ reflects on the emotional impact of the crime on the preservation of cultural artifacts. Their stories intertwine, revealing the complexities of passion, crime, and consequence.
45:02
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Visit
BJ Gooch, the special collections librarian, enjoyed sharing the rare books with diverse groups, from academics to garden clubs.
A seemingly routine visit from Transy student Spencer Reinhart ultimately led to the heist.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Heist Plan
Spencer Reinhart told his friends, Warren Lipka and Eric Borsuk, about the valuable books in Transy's special collections.
Warren then contacted Eric about a plan to steal the books, having already established contacts with black market dealers in Amsterdam.
insights INSIGHT
The Motivation
Eric Borsuk reflects on the group's motivation for the heist.
It wasn't about the money, but a sense of escape and a desire for a bolder, nonconformist life.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The Birds of America is a seminal work by John James Audubon, published between 1827 and 1838. It features 435 hand-coloured, life-size prints of various bird species in North America. The book is celebrated for its detailed and animated illustrations, depicting birds in their natural habitats. Audubon's innovative approach included painting birds in realistic poses, often from life observations rather than stuffed specimens. The work includes images of extinct and possibly extinct birds, as well as unidentified species. It is regarded as one of the most spectacular series of ornithological prints ever produced and a significant achievement in the history of natural sciences and art.
American Animals
Eric Borsuk
American Animals is a true crime memoir detailing the 2004 Transy Book Heist at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. The book recounts the planning and execution of the heist by four college students, their motivations, and the aftermath of their actions. It explores themes of youthful ambition, the allure of the forbidden, and the consequences of impulsive decisions. The narrative offers insights into the minds of the perpetrators and the impact of their crime on the victim and the community. The book has received significant attention for its unique perspective on a real-life crime.
On the Origin of Species
Charles Darwin
Published on November 24, 1859, 'On the Origin of Species' by Charles Darwin is a seminal work in scientific literature. The book presents a comprehensive theory of evolution, arguing that species evolve over generations through the process of natural selection. Darwin supported his theory with evidence collected during his voyage on the HMS Beagle, as well as from subsequent research, correspondence, and experimentation. The book addresses the struggle for existence, the variability of species, and the principle of divergence, explaining how natural selection leads to the adaptation and diversification of life on Earth. It has been a cornerstone of evolutionary biology and has had significant impacts on both scientific and public discourse[2][4][5].
February 11, 2005. FBI agents bust down the door of a cinder block house near the University of Kentucky campus. Amid flash grenades and screaming teens, they arrest three students – plus a fourth student in a nearby dorm. The crime? Stealing almost $750,000 of rare books and manuscripts from the library at Transylvania University. Why did four freshmen decide to actually go through with their real life version of Ocean’s Eleven? And how did they plan to get away with it?
Special thanks to our guests, BJ Gooch, retired special collections librarian; Eric Borsuk, whose memoir is called American Animals: A True Crime Memoir; and Tom Lecky, rare book and manuscript specialist.
HISTORY This Week 
