|
 |
 |
|
|
|
** 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 **
Best Books for a Novice Ripperologist
Casebook Message Boards: Ripper Media: General Discussion:
Best Books for a Novice Ripperologist
Author: Stephen P. Ryder
Friday, 20 November 1998 - 12:39 pm |        | June 1996
The Casebook has received countless requests for advice concerning how novice Ripperologists should begin their edification on the case. In your opinion, what books, films, articles, or works in any form of media are best for those who have practically no knowledge of the case? Which provide the most unbiased view of the facts, and which works should be avoided?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.
Date: Sun, 2 Jun 1996 21:36:08 -0700
From: wolvie@sprynet.com
Oh boy, where to start? Rumbelow's book "The Complete Jack the Ripper" is always a good start, but even the 1988 edition is a bit dated. Fido's text "The Crimes, Detection, and Death of Jack the Ripper" is also good, but it suffers from a lack of illistrations and it shows a rather heavy-handed bias toward his own pet theory. Sugden's new book "The Complete History of Jack the Ripper" is my vote for the best acount of the case(it is also amusing to see how he tears apart all the theories). I would, however, be a bit slow to recomend it to the novice as it is quite a handfull! Any of these three would give a good over-view of the case. Books I would definitly avoid would be Knight's "Jack the ripper; the final solution" and Harrison's "The Diary of Jack the Ripper". Both of these books have caused alot of problems by proposing outlandish and blatently false theories. Most Ripper theories should be taken with a grain of salt, but these two have caused the most damage.
Post Reply to Conference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.
Date: Mon, 03 Jun 96 09:17:28 -0700
From: Paul Emmitt
I think that the two most informed and impartial sources for JTR information are THE JACK THE RIPPER A TO Z by Begg, Fido and Skinner, and THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF JACK THE RIPPER by Sugden. Both books are not only smart, thorough, clear and open-minded, they also have the advantage of being contemporary, so they can incorporate recent discoveries like Bond's report on Mary Kelly. In particular, Sugden's first chapter, "A Century of Final Solutions," is a most effective presentation of the errors and deceptions that await the Ripper scholar. This chapter also names names--the right names--as it tells the novice which sources should be read more "carefully."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.
Date: Mon, 03 Jun 1996 15:03:03 -0400
From: Michael Rogers
How to get started. My advice would be to generally ignore all the feature films made about the case since I've never seen one that was worth a damn. If anyone has, give me the title and I'll look for it. Some are enjoyable as fiction but not as representations of known fact and the killer almost always turns out to be some upstanding citizen. There are a lot of good books and a lot of bad ones. For my money, Donald Rumbelow's is still the bible. Paul Begg's volume is quite good also as an overall view without trying to name the killer. Martin Fido's book has a lot of good stuff in it but you either believe his David Cohen theory or you don't. I don't. The book nonetheless is good reading. Around the 100th anniversary in 1988 a lot of cheapie volumes came out, most of which were slapped together by journalists trying to capitalize on the centennial. Most just rounded up the usual suspects without much analyzation of the material. Generally, if the cover features some sensationalistic schlock like a guy in a cape and a top hat terrorizing some buxom babe with a butcher knife clenched in his fist, then it?s probably worth avoiding.
Post Reply to Conference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.
Date: Wed, 5 Jun 1996 16:45:46 +-1000
From: Dennis Stocks
By far the best book on JTR would have to be the recently published THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF JACK THE RIPPER by Philip Sugden. London: Robinson. Revised paperback edition 1995.
Sugden examines all evidence, all incidents, all suspects with an eye that is a delight to a historian. Unlike so many other authors, he has no suspect to put forward, but clearly examines each one. He does not rely on the previous work or fantasies of those who have gone before, but uses primary sources.
Another invaluable source I find myself using on a regular basis is Paul Begg, Martin Fido and Keith Skinner's JACK THE RIPPER A TO Z. (Headline, London, 1991).. a source book of immense use as a quick and accurate reference to any incident, person, book etc. involved with JTR.
Post Reply to Conference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.
Date: Wed, 05 Jun 1996 14:19:53 +0200
From: Adam Wood
In my view anyone new to the case should avoid ANY book which claims to solve the mystery of the Rippers identity. I have read several and each present a different theory which can be both plausible and sometimes convincing. Some books have facts left out to fit the theory, and older ones dont include information made available when the file was released to the public in 1987.
A good starting point is Paul Begg's `Jack The Ripper - The Uncensored Facts`. As the title implies, it is a straightforward account of the known facts. Theres a chapter on the background to the murders, including living standards, police organisation, newspaper coverage and description of Whitechapel during that period. It gives a detailed account of the lives of each victim, their murder, and includes photos not released until 1988.
Post Reply to Conference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
Date: Wed, 05 Jun 1996 22:47:54 -0500
From: Rochelle Diamond
I am new to this site, but I also have a few books that might be helpful in getting facts and opions about J the R. Everyone has their pet theories, and in each of the books fiercly defend them. The Begg, Fido & Skinner book Jack the Ripper A to Z is quite good in giving you the facts so you can develop your own theories. David Abrahamson's Secret Life of Jack the Ripper is also interesting. Howells & Skinner's The Ripper Legacy is worth a look also.
Post Reply to Conference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 1996 08:48:38 -0400
From: Edward B. Hanna
The best, most accurate, most objective and least fanciful sources without doubt are: 'The Complete Jack The Ripper' by Donald Rumbelow; 'Autumn of Terror' by Tom Cullen; 'Jack The Ripper: One Hundred Years of Mystery' by Peter Underwood; 'A Casebook on Jack The Ripper' by Richard Whittington-Egan; 'Jack the Ripper: The Uncensored Facts' by Paul Begg; and 'Jack The Ripper: One Hundred Years of Investigation' by Terence Sharkey.
I don't agree with everthing they have to say - indeed, they often disagree among one another on several points - but for the most part they are accurate and impartial, Rumbelow in particular. I would start with him.
I would stay away from most of the others, including Stephen Knight, who I know has a large following. Although much of his research is solid, his interpretations and conclusions can be pretty far out. Somebody by the name of Sperling, I think it was, wrote a thin book some years ago linking Clarence with the murders. It was thin in every respect. In fact, much if not most of what has been written about the case - especially the so-called Ripper Diary, which is an out-and-out fraud - is for the most part garbage. But they do add to the mystique.
There are a few new ones out - one published by my publisher, Carroll and Graf, a year or so ago (can't recall the title). It is a good, general compilation of the facts of the case.
Edward B. Hanna
Author, Whitechapel Horrors
Post Reply to Conference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.
Date: Sun, 9 Jun 1996 09:50:04 -0400
From: Larry S. Barbee
As most of the other correspondents I think there are three books of the first rank that a novice should have access to in order to be fully informed of the Ripper murders:
1) Donald Rumbelow's The Complete Jack the Ripper. This was the authoratative source for almost twenty years. Even though there are a few inaccuracies in even the 1987 revised edition, Rumbelow's skills as a writer entertains the reader while being informed on all the basic topics concerning the case.
2) Philip Sugden's The Complete History of Jack the Ripper. Most scholars I think, would agree that this is now the most authorative book on the murders. A revised edition was published and real efforts are made to remove the few and minor mistakes of the first edition. It may be free of any mistakes or errors, which would make it the only book with that distinction. He has updated it with the Maybrick material as well as other new bits of information, and plans another revised edition to include the Tumblety information.
3) The Jack the Ripper A to Z can answer almost any question that can be answered concerning the case. As with Sugden's text, this book has been revised and a future edition to accomodate the latest information is being prepared.
There are some other good books as well but I think these three are all one needs for the essential information.
Post Reply to Conference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 96 08:48:12 EST
From: Tom Saupe
I agree with most of the suggestions, especially, A-Z, Rumbelow, Fido, Beggs' Uncensored facts and, unquestionably, Sugden. I would like to suggest the addition of Jack London's "People of the Abyss." Even though it was written some 18 years after the murders, it still gives a very good view of the East End and what conditions really must have been like. Ripperologists will find many familiar places and even an appearance of "Johnny Upright", Detective Thicke, who was very involved in the Ripper investigation.
This book is very hard to find. I was surprised to find that it is considered extremely valuable in any early addition. To my knowledge, it is reprinted in a compendium of his work published by American Libraries ( not 100% sure of publisher), and of course you can find it in most libraries. However, I was very pleased to find it available on books on-line on the net.
Of course, no one should be without a subscription to Ripperana, the Quarterly Journal of Ripperology. Although those who are just beginning to become involved in the case may find some references obscure, as they become more knowledgeable they will find themselves referring back to its articles over and over again.
Don't know how I forgot it but I really should add Stewart Evans' and Paul Gainey's book, "The Lodger, the arrest and escape of Jack the Ripper" to my list. This is certainly the most interesting new theory to have come along in some time.
Post Reply to Conference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.
Date: Sat, 15 Jun 1996 12:12:55 -0500
From: Andrew J. Spallek
As a start I would definitely read a recent book. This tends to devalue Rumbelow, although it is a good book and should be read later. I would first recommend Sugden, Complete History of JTR (latest ed.). Then AZ is a very good supplement (readers should note that this is an encyclodedia, i.e., a reference book with topics listed alphabetically, not a continuous reading). Then one may wish to procede to Rumbelow.
Although one probably choose to avoid theories at first, Fido presents a reasonalble one in a very logical way, although I am not sure I agree with it. Other interesting theories which are not totally preposterous are that of Dr. Tumblety (put forth by Evans and Gainey in The Lodger), and Stephenson (put forth by Harris in The True Face of JTR, although this one is a little far-fetched). Worthless theories are anything to do with Clarence, Maybrick, Stephens, Druitt.
Also, one should remember that, although Sugden leaves the question open, he seems to favor Chapman (Klosowski).
Post Reply to Conference
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.
Date: Thu, 04 Jul 96 01:12:00 -0700
From: Stephanie Richey
There are a lot of good books out there for the begining Ripperologist. My personal favorite is Donald Rumbalow's :"Jack the Ripper: the Complete Casebook." Phillip Sugden's: "The Complete History of Jack the Ripper" is also very good. Martin Fido's: "The Crimes, Detection, and Death of Jack the Ripper" is not bad, but he cradles his own theory too much for my liking, actually proclaiming he has caught Jack the Ripper.
As far as movies go there are a lot that captures the feel of the terror felt in the East End at the time, but as far as acuracy goes the closest is: "Jack the Ripper" starring Michael Caine and Jane Seymore. It is, of course, about 80% fiction, but there is enough truth to it to familiarise a person with the basics of the case. I also like "The Lodger," but that's because I have a soft spot in my heart for Alfred Hitchcock, and for silent movies. |
Author: Dave Yost
Thursday, 26 November 1998 - 08:52 pm | | Hi All,
I personally would recommend, Runmbelow, Sudgen, Begg, and A-Z, not necessarily in any order.
I would also recomend that while some books on suspects are good and do provide some good information, the novice should stick to those books which will primarily educate not suade one to a suspect, this theory, or that view.
We all have something to say regarding this subject of mutual interest, (myself included), but it is best to have the novice review the basic information first, before he/she is inundated with views, theories, and suspects.
Cheers,
Dave |
Author: Christopher-Michael
Friday, 27 November 1998 - 10:23 pm | | The title of "Novice Ripperologist" seems to me a bit misleading. I have always believed it's best to begin with as simple a work as possible, merely to see if the "Novice" finds the subject of the Ripper as fascinating as we do.
Were I approached by someone who had absolutely no knowledge of the murders, I'd ask them to take 20 minutes or so and leaf through Rick Geary's "A Treasury of Victorian Murder: Jack the Ripper." It's a good basic introduction to the case and in illustrated form. It touches on many of the major sticking points in the case, and is not bogged down in minutiae.
If they still had an interest after that, I would probably recommend a slow dose of Sugden, as there is just so much to "Complete History" that its sheer magisterial bulk would scare off some people. I'd also recommend Rumbelow, but as I am told the book is now out of stock from the publisher, it can be difficult to find in the stores (though this is the age of Amazon.com, so it ought to be available again, hey?). |
Author: Johnno
Sunday, 20 December 1998 - 06:21 am | | I tend to concur with most participants here that Philip Sugden's The Complete History of Jack the Ripper, Donald Rumbelow's The Complete Jack the Ripper and The Jack the Ripper A-Z by Paul Begg, Martin Fido and Keith Skinner, are amongst the best books (which I have thus far read) on the subject.
No doubt there are others; I just have not read them yet.
One piece of advice I would give newcomers to the world of Ripper research is to firstly read the books which are widely regarded as authoritative and which deal predominantly in fact. By all means, also read books from fiction merchants, but armed with the facts from books such as those I have mentioned.
I still consider myself a newcomer to the world of Ripper research, and I have been interested in the subject for ten years (nearly eleven at the time of writing).
My introduction to Jack the Ripper was the 1988 airing of The Secret Identity of Jack the Ripper followed shortly afterwards by the 1988 movie Jack the Ripper starring Michael Caine as Inspector Frederick Abberline. Stephen Knight's book, Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution, was the first book I read on the subject, and from memory it would have also been at around the same time (possibly a year or two later; I cannot remember!). |
Author: lee donovan
Wednesday, 29 March 2000 - 01:40 am | | Hi
Although i have been interested in JTR for a long time now i have never really looked at the facts or studied the case until recently.
I am really getting into the case and have read Bruce paleys book.
Can anyone suggest to me what other books i should read, what good films on the subject there are and where best to look for evidence.
Please let me know
Cheers Lee |
Author: Guy Hatton
Wednesday, 29 March 2000 - 04:16 am | | Hi Lee -
Two vital books to read:
Philip Sugden The Complete History of Jack the Ripper
Paul Begg, Martin Fido, and Keith Skinner The Jack the Ripper A-Z
Also, I understand that Stewart Evans is working on a comprehensive reference book, though when it might see the light of day, I do not know. I would suggest avoiding (as far as possible) {any} book which seeks to prove the case against a particular suspect until you have taken in Sugden and the A-Z. They will be invaluable in helping you to identify false arguments, misreporting, selective and fabricated evidence, and all the other things which are spread through many of the other books on the subject (though not all!).
All the Best
Guy |
Author: Harry Mann
Wednesday, 29 March 2000 - 06:07 am | | Lee,
To you and all others who may wish to join these boards,and perhaps feel inadequet in putting your points over,or is afraid of being ridiculed,a bit of advice given me many years ago might help.It is this;
"No matter how worried by or in awe of people,you may be,remember this,be it the highest or mightiest in the land,or the most foolish,they all scratch their arse the same way you do".
H.M. |
Author: lee donovan
Wednesday, 29 March 2000 - 07:19 am | | Hi Guy & Harold
Thank's for replying it will be most useful.
I have actually ordered "The Complete History of Jack the Ripper" and look forward to reding it.
If you have any more tips for me please let me know.
Oh and by the way Harold, my arse is rearing to go full steam ahead!
Cheers
Lee |
Author: David M. Radka
Wednesday, 29 March 2000 - 12:15 pm | | Too bad a few of them come to this web site to scratch their asses. E.g., anon, Alan, Ivor Q.U. Estion, and so on.
David |
Author: Simon Owen
Thursday, 30 March 2000 - 05:42 am | | | Come on David , lets have a bit more of your theory ! Push that button and let Ripperology go thermonuclear !( here he continues the ' arse ' metaphor with veiled references to enormous flatulation ). |
|
|
|
|
