The Dragon Behind the Glass

A True Story of Power, Obsession, and the World's Most Coveted Fish

By: Emily Voigt

Narrated by: Xe Sands

A young man is murdered for his prized pet fish. An Asian tycoon buys a single specimen for $150,000. Meanwhile, a pet detective chases smugglers through the streets of New York. Delving into an outlandish realm of obsession, paranoia, and criminality, The Dragon Behind the Glass tells the story of a fish like none other: a powerful predator dating to the age of the dinosaurs. Treasured as a status symbol believed to bring good luck, the Asian arowana is bred on high-security farms in Southeast Asia and sold by the hundreds of thousands each year. In the United States, however, it's protected by the Endangered Species Act and illegal to bring into the country - though it remains the object of a thriving black market. From the South Bronx to Singapore, journalist Emily Voigt follows the trail of the fish, ultimately embarking on a years-long quest to find the arowana in the wild. With a captivating blend of personal reporting, history, and science, The Dragon Behind the Glass traces our modern fascination with aquarium fish back to the era of exploration when intrepid naturalists stood on the cutting edge of modern science, discovering new and wondrous species in jungles all over the world.

©2016 Emily Voigt (P)2016 Tantor

This is a great book.

It is a first hand view of the aquarium world and what remains of our planet’s fresh water fish.

Gripping

As an semi professional aquarist this gripped me. I devoured in about 2 two days of frantic reading. It brought to light some of the darker and easily ignored sides of the aquarium trade (my dearest passion) and made me ask some really tough questions about my life. Anyone who is has an aquarium should give this a listen.

I loved the real adventure

In finding knowledge about the struggle to know, conserve, and possess aquarium fish, I find myself wanting to know more about the scientific explorers. Inspiring and and interesting listen.

You have to be a nature research lover…

I am! I found the quest for the fish fascinating, but I’m a nature geek. If one does not have this innate interest, I can see the book being uninspiring. Great detail and dive into the species.

Excellent storytelling, good content.

I've wanted to read this book since it first came out. Failing to do that I decided Audible was the way to go. Coming from a background of working at a local fish store in my teen years I appreciated every aspect of this book. The mystique of the Arowana was around even then (mid-90's). I loved finding out the background, history, and modern status of such an amazing fish.

About fish and men

Great story where the storytelling-performance was an 'acquired taste' . Very fast and not really nice intonated in the begin, the story was that interesting that or the performance become better later on or I wasn't bothered by it anymore then.

Story itself is great: about an elusive fish, the aquarists world, some great characters , some good travels and it has a bit of pop science approach:, loved it as relaxing audiobook while commuting.

Very Interesting.

Loved it, Kept me wanting more each time I stopped. An adventure worth navigating, especially as a fish enthusiast.

A "must read" for all fish professionals.

There is much in this book for almost anyone interested in fishes and their biology. Voight offers thoughtful perspectives on the aquarium hobby, it's history, psychology, the industry that supports it, and the potential impact of fish collecting on natural populations. She blends these with absorbing travel adventure narratives, personal profiles and a reasonably nuanced discussion of the utility and impact of "listing" endangered species. I am an ichthyologist and have been an aquarist for almost all of my 71 years but this book made me think about a lot of what I and my colleagues do in a different light

Exciting book, well executed by the reader

Exciting but sad, a reminder that our resources are finite and require our care and conservation

This book is great, takes you on a journey

I enjoyed the detail provided during her explorations. Really put you in that place. I enjoyed the real life characters we meet along the way and it gives you the yearning for discovery. I though there was a great opportunity to talk with me environmentalists and understand the aquarium trade more and it’s effects of the habitat and climate change. Recommend to anyone with a curiosity for fish, travel, science, interesting people, and one person’s adventure into an obsession.