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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 **
Victorian Underworld, The (Thomas)
Casebook Message Boards: Ripper Media: Specific Titles:
Other Books (Non-Ripper):
Victorian Underworld, The (Thomas)
Author: Michael Rogers
Thursday, 19 November 1998 - 08:11 pm |        | | Scanning any daily paper or evening news report would lead one to believe that society is on a downswing. However, as Thomas ably demonstrates, we*re actually getting better! This detailed *panorama of the Victorian underworld* is a litany of crime in all its darkest forms. These 11 illustrated chapters serve up a Rogue*s gallery of saucy thieves, forgers, poisoners, prostitutes, con men, extortionists, pornographers, maniacs, and perpetrators of murder most foul who belie the genteel trappings of the period and reveal London to be perhaps the most wretched hive of scum and villainy the world has known. The book is at once a history of criminal activity and a social dissection of the *underclass, which nourished an underworld* and the upper class that accepted the victimization as long as public scandal was avoided. Victorian crime was more scientific than its detection, and many of these intricately planned thefts and sensational murders would rival any concoction offered by Hollywood or a best-selling mystery. A highly readable, page-turning history. |
Author: R.J. Palmer
Monday, 26 June 2000 - 09:47 pm | | I finally found a copy of this book, and I have to agree with Michael Rogers. "The Victorian Underworld" by Donald Thomas (New York University Press, 1998) is one hell of an interesting book, and a valuable overview of crime and punishment in Victorian England. Florie Maybrick, Neill Cream, Israel Lipski, and a few other of our old friends make an appearance, along with plenty of anecdotes that give the flavor of the age. The few snippets about the Ripper are somewhat unsatisfying--as they usually are in these general histories--which says something about the need for specialists when dealing with non-fiction. But Donald Thomas writes well and the book is highly recommended.
RJP |
Author: John Dixon
Thursday, 29 June 2000 - 06:48 pm | | I thought that what was most noticable was the gap between the prostitutes here & their assumed nature in Ripper Lore. There are inconsistencies here that need reconciliation. My favorite question is why wouldn't Annie Farmer swallow the coins? Cash values are another problem. It seems to me that the Ripper victims MUST have been earning more than what is normally assumed. Look at the figures in this book.
Great book ... Cheers John |
Author: Jon Smyth
Thursday, 29 June 2000 - 09:08 pm | | Why wouldnt Annie swallow the coins?
Those old Victorian coins were somewhat larger than what we have in circulation today, especially the old penny. And dietary limitations, being what they were, might mean that if she did swallow them, she might have to wait more than a day, or even two, to get them back.
Have you ever held copper coins in your mouth?....one of the worse tastes I can remember.
Anyhow, she likely had every intention of using the money the same day, and in a day to day existence, swallowing the coins would mean she was penniless for a day or more.
Regards, Jon |
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