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** This is an archived, static copy of the Casebook messages boards dating from 1998 to 2003. These threads cannot be replied to here. If you want to participate in our current forums please go to https://forum.casebook.org **
Whitechapel Journal
Casebook Message Boards: Ripper Media: Specific Titles:
Ripper Magazines & Newsletters:
Whitechapel Journal
Author: Stephen P. Ryder
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 08:17 pm |        | The Whitechapel Journal is published twice a year, and costs $15 for one year's subscription and $30 for two in the US and Canada (US funds only for Canadian subscribers). In the UK, a subscription costs L10 for one year and L20 for two (UK currency only, no cheques).
All checks and money orders can be made out to Stephen Wright and sent to:
Stephen Wright P.O. Box 1341 F.D.R. Station New York, NY 10150-1341 U.S.A.
Those interested in contributing pieces to the journal can send an S.A.S.E. to the above address along with a request for either Writer's or Reviewer's Guidelines. |
Author: Stephen P. Ryder
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 08:17 pm | | Released a little later than anticipated, the Whitechapel Journal has officially published its first issue for Fall 1996. There is no doubt that a good number of Ripper enthusiasts find themselves in the somewhat unfortunate position of being stranded on the American continent, far away from the "action" enjoyed by UK enthusiasts. Whereas London boasts its *Ripperana* and its *Ripperologist*, Americans may now finally have a publication to call their own -- Stephen Wrights's *Whitechapel Journal*.
The premier issue is, admittedly, not a blazing triumph at first glance. It embodies little more than fourteen letter-sized pages and boasts only a single illustration, and there are a handful of grammatical errors which seem to have slipped through the hands of the editor. But once the reader pushes beyond the austere exterior and into the actual articles themselves, the most important aspect of any budding publication becomes readily apparent: promise for the future.
The first issue includes nine articles, seven of which are penned by Wright himself. Of these, there is an article introducing the journal, three book reviews, two articles on Camille Wolff's *Who Was Jack the Ripper?*, one piece on Ripper films, another on Jack London's study of the East End, and a final article providing an overview of the Ripper literature of the past century. Each are written in an intelligent and professional manner, and it becomes easily apparent to the reader that this journal is one to be taken seriously.
My only real criticisms, besides the minutiae listed previously, are that (1) the articles are not very diverse and (2) the price is a bit steep ($7.50 per issue). By "diverse" I mean covering issues such as suspects, victims, evidence, etc. The majority of this issue deals solely with books and film on the subject, and no objective pieces on the case *itself* are presented. Still, I am sure this will be remedied within further issues of the publication, as Mr. Wright promises in the introduction, "I daresay I'll be ready to address the second issue of the Whitechapel Journal regarding Jack the Ripper's escapes."
All in all, the Whitechapel Journal deserves to be considered a new reckoning force in the ever-growing field of Ripper-literature. The enthusiasm of its editor and the professionalism apparent even within the first issue shows a great deal of promise for the future of the publication. Highly recommended for Ripper enthusiasts of all levels, from the ardent researcher to the novice hobbyist. |
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