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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 **
Jack the Ripper- Letters From Hell
Casebook Message Boards: Ripper Media: Specific Titles:
Non-Fiction:
Jack the Ripper- Letters From Hell
Author: Stewart P Evans
Tuesday, 06 March 2001 - 03:59 pm |        | I have received many queries about the forthcoming book Jack the Ripper- Letters From Hell by Keith Skinner and myself. In order to address these queries I am starting this thread on the book with an update on progress.
The book will be published by Sutton Publishing, which is part of Haynes Publishing, and should appear in September this year. The ISBN number is 0 7509 2549 3 and it will be a hardback with a dustwrapper. The book will be illustrated with 25+ colour photographs and about 50 black and white photographs, most of which have not been published before. It will be available both in the UK and the USA.
It is hoped that publication will tie in with the major Hollywood movie From Hell starring Johnny Depp. Both authors were consulted on the script of this movie with reference to various historical aspects.
This book will be the first full and responsible examination of the Ripper letters. The huge significance of the letters, of course, is the fact that they are responsible for the legend of 'Jack the Ripper.' Despite this they have never been looked at in depth before.
Work on the manuscript is complete and the book is on schedule for release as planned. This will, we hope, tie in also with the conference being held in Bournemouth, details available in Ripperologist.
As soon as the publisher releases any publicity material I will make sure that this site is updated. Hopefully we may also be in a position to show the dustwrapper design when it is known. |
Author: Christopher T George
Tuesday, 06 March 2001 - 04:10 pm | | Hi Stewart:
I am sure we will all look forward to your forthcoming in-depth study of a talked-about but neglected aspect of the Ripper case. We are all familiar with the famous (original) Dear Boss letters and the Lusk letter and several more of the JtR missives (e.g., the Openshaw and "Lees" letters), but it will be fascinating to see discussion of the whole series of letters by such learned authorities such as Keith Skinner and yourself. If Jack the Ripper--Letters From Hell is as painstakingly researched as the recent admirable The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Companion by Keith and yourself, as I know it will be, we are all in for a rare treat.
Best regards
Chris George |
Author: Tom Wescott
Tuesday, 06 March 2001 - 08:07 pm | | Hello,
Stewart Evans has somehow found that elusive tie that binds quality with quantity. Before too long we'll be able to make a calender with the covers of his books! I, for one, can't wait. As some of you may know, the writings attributed to the Ripper are my primary area of interest in the case, probably because it is a significant, but most neglected subject. I've been researching the subject myself, and while I know that Mr. Evans' viewpoints differ from mine in a great many areas, I am looking forward with baited breath to the release of this book. It is my hope that he opens my eyes to some new ideas, even if they prove my theories wrong. If he doesn't prove my theories wrong, however, you can bet that 'Jack the Ripper: Letters from Hell' won't be the last word on the subject. 
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
P.S. If you haven't purchased Stewart's three previous books, then you're on the wrong site! |
Author: Johnno
Wednesday, 07 March 2001 - 08:02 am | | Stewart,
It's good to see that the production of a book specifically concerning the Ripper letters is under way.
Despite whatever opinions people hold as to the legitimacy or otherwise of any or all of the better known letters purporting to be from the killer, a book on the topic will be an interesting and enjoyable read, not only for the introduction of the famous sobriquet, but for the subsequent deluge of other bizarre correspondence which ensued. |
Author: Stewart P Evans
Wednesday, 07 March 2001 - 01:23 pm | | Thank you all for the kind words, your support is greatly appreciated. I forgot to mention above that although there are many photographs in the book, the word count exceeds 92,000 at present and many contentious areas are looked at.
I am sure that there will be plenty to interest all and some new research threads are revealed that we simply have not had the time to follow up. We hope that you will all enjoy the book. Sutton are renowned for turning out a quality product and I am sure the book will be produced to the highest standards. |
Author: Paul Begg
Thursday, 08 March 2001 - 07:25 am | | | I think it is safe for me to say that copies of Stewart and Keith's much awaited book will be available at a special discount price at the Conference in September - where it will hopefully be signed by both the authors! We are looking into the possibility of extending this offer to people who place advance orders, hopefully those copies being autographed and personalised too. More news in "Ripperologist" of course - subscribe! subscribe! etc. etc. |
Author: The Viper
Friday, 28 September 2001 - 12:36 pm | | My copy of this book arrived earlier today and in consequence there has only been time to browse it. Even so, that’s quite long enough to state unequivocally that this book is a must for all serious students of the case.
306 pages long, the text is large and easy to read. The first 200 or so pages provide a commentary on the case background, the postal service (that’s a fascinating section) and on the press itself, including people who shaped the story of the letters, or who are suspected of having done so. There is an investigatory section into the writings of suspects, and into some less than scrupulous latter-day authors. Throughout, the book is dotted with press cuttings which detail the letters story as it unfolded to the public.
Letters From Hell is also liberally illustrated. A good number of the illustrations were new to me, and one suspects that they will be new to many others too. Some of the letters are reproduced in colour, as a significant number of them were so written - red ink, ha ha, and all that! For good measure the final section of the book lists all the letters still on file at the P.R.O. and at the City of London Record Office in chronological order, complete with additional notes. By undertaking this exercise the authors effectively close the loop on the source material which they so valuably began to transcribe for the amateur Ripperologist in the Ultimate JTR Sourcebook of last year. Letters From Hell is very much a primary source reference book as well, but at first sight it appears to be an easier book to dip into than its predecessor.
Published by Sutton at £20 in the U.K., or $26.95 in the U.S.A., it’s time to get down to the bookshop again.
Regards, V. |
Author: alex chisholm
Saturday, 29 September 2001 - 10:20 pm | | Try as I might, I can’t dispute Viper’s assessment of “Jack the Ripper: Letters from Hell.” Anyone used to the exceptional standards of Stewart & Keith’s previous works will not be disappointed.
‘Letters from Hell’ is a wonderfully presented, detailed and comprehensive work that it would be a crime for any student of Whitechapel murder to be without.
Go get it
alex |
Author: Tom Wescott
Saturday, 29 September 2001 - 11:02 pm | | Alex,
Good to see you! How's the book you're doing with Dave and CM coming. Any news? If there is, don't post it here, but under the thread for your book (I know, I should have too, but I'M lazy . Give us the whole scoop!
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
P.S. Could you email me at Tcwes@aol.com to discuss something off the subject? Thanks. |
Author: jennifer pegg
Monday, 28 January 2002 - 04:32 am | | hello,
just wanted to say it seems it was a easy mistake that s knight made re tecs or lees
jennifer
ps i love this book! |
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