Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag

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An insider's hilarious, whirlwind account of his years spent globe-trotting in search of the holy grail of handbags: the Birkin

For more than twenty years, the Hermès Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth. Though the bag is often seen dangling from the arms of celebrities, there is a fabled waiting list of more than two years to buy one from Hermès, and the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing one of these coveted carryalls. Unless, of course, she happens to know Michael Tonello . . .

Michael's newfound career started with an impulsive move to Barcelona, a vanished job assignment, no work visa, and an Hermès scarf sold on eBay to generate some quick cash. But soon the resourceful Michael discovered the truth about the waiting list and figured out the secret to getting Hermès to part with one of these precious bags. Millions of dollars worth of Birkins later, Michael had become one of eBay's most successful entrepreneurs—and a Robin Hood to thousands of desperate rich women.

With down-to-earth wit, Michael chronicles the unusual ventures that took him to nearly every continent, from eBay to Paris auction house and into the lives of celebrities and poseurs. Flirting with danger, Michael recounts the heady rush of hand delivering his first big score to famed songwriter Carole Bayer Sager in Paris; how he had to hire thugs to rescue a bag that one of his "shoppers" held for ransom; and the story of the Oscar-worthy performances that allowed him to snag "reserved" bags from other, less dogged Birkin seekers.

Whether he's relating his wining and dining, buying and selling, dodging and weaving, laughing and crying, or schmoozing and stammering, Michael is a master raconteur who weaves together tales of hunting Birkins in the world's most posh locales, memories of meals that would make any gastronome salivate, anecdotes of obsessed collectors with insatiable desires, and sweetly intimate stories about his family, friends, and finding true love. The result is a memoir that is distinctive, fun, page-turning, and as addictive as its namesake.

What Customers Say About Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag:

It reads as a self-serving pat on the back for the author who came up with the idea of selling fancy items on E-Bay. There is no history or information on how they are made. However, the worst was that there was no information or description about why Hermes scarves and especially Birkin bags are so prized. Although I recognise this might be hard information to get, however, a lot more depth is needed to this book. This book was a great disappointment. I echo others who state it was a weak travelogue - trips to fancy cities reapeated over and over. I would like to know also what the cost is to produce such items and the markup thereto.

funny, light, engaging.i truly enjoyed the writing style and the photos that accompanied the story

It's cliche, but I really could not put it down. Tonello made the kind of major leap in life many of us just dream about, and created a wonderful life and found love by following his serendipitous journey. Mr. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This is simultaneously an engaging travel book and a witty but kind commentary on American excess. Michael Tonello is funny without trying to be and a great storyteller - you feel like you're climbing those steps in Capri along with him. We should all be so fearless in life, and so well dressed.

I hope Micahel writes a sequel. I literally laughed out loud at several parts. I LOVED this book. I usually do not like reading "memoir-type" books but this book reads like a novel. Bringing Home the Birkin is a delightful, fun read - I highly recommend it.

She apparently has more than a dozen and made a trip to Paris to purchase the one color Birkin that she HAD to have. Instead he discussed his wife's search for the perfect Birkin. Enjoyable book for anyone who has been on the "hunt" for that special something that you just couldn't live without. anyone who is into fashion or follows the fashion trends will enjoy this book. I recently saw a financial expert on television and silly me thought he was going to discuss the economic situation. He finally did get around to discussing stocks but his main focus was the Birkin handbag.