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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 **
Ripper Notes
Casebook Message Boards: Ripper Media: Specific Titles:
Ripper Magazines & Newsletters:
Ripper Notes
Author: Tom Wescott
Saturday, 04 August 2001 - 12:51 am |        | Who has the new issue? What did you think? I received mine a couple of days ago and was totally blown away! Aside from the lame cover (sorry CM) this is the best issue I've read to date (I missed out on issues #1, #2, #3, and #5). To start off with it has a fascinating article by the always-awesome Des McKenna on the idea that Robert D'Onston Stephenson and Roslyn D'Onston were not in fact one and the same. The article is derived from communications between Des and CM Digrazia and has not been fully researched yet, but makes for a tantalizing read nonetheless. After this Dave Yost takes us for a stroll down Hanbury street and finally makes sense of the various time discrepancies between the witness testimonies (primarily Cadoche and Long) surrounding the Chapman murder. This article would normally be the hallmark of any issue it appeared in, but it has stiff competition in the next article by Wolf Vanderlinden, entitled 'Screams of Murder', which has to be the most insightful and informative look into the night of Mary Kelly's murder that has yet been written. This is followed by 'The Bookcase' in which Caz reviews a Ripper play and Chris George's Jack-The Musical gets a surprisingly luke warm review. After this, Carl Dodd, a retired policeman, takes a look into the minds and motives of 1888 coppers, providing some new (at least to me) and interesting information along the way. If all that isn't enough, the issue caps off with 'The Whitechapel Letterbox' in which none other than Alex Chisolm responds to my 'Inspiration From Hell' article from the April issue (I felt so honored) and then proceeds to put me in my place. CM, being the gentleman he is, gave me the opportunity to respond. There is also brief news and notes and info on the upcoming U.K. Ripper Conference (the actual, real 'Dear Boss' letter will be there! Can you believe it?!).
It might sound like I've got some vested interest in promoting Ripper Notes, but really I'm just a subscriber who contributes occasionally. I think it's a killer mag and I urge all those not already subscribing to hurry up and do so so you don't miss out on this issue and all those coming in the future. Go to www.casebook-productions.com to get info and read some sample articles or just email me at Tcwes@aol.com and I'll be happy to tell you how to subscribe.
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
P.S. I'm a little miffed that when I went to the 'Ripper Magazines and Newsletters' section under 'Ripper Media' - 'Specific Titles' that it did not include Ripper Notes and didn't give me the option to add it. I had to add it under the 'Other' category. That's pretty cold. Hopefully this can get remedied in the near future.
P.S.S. While you've got that checkbook open, hop on over to www.ripperologist.net and pick up a subscription to that mag, too. You're not a Ripperphile without 'em!  |
Author: Alegria
Saturday, 04 August 2001 - 08:27 am | | What are you talking about Tom? You're there right now!! Really..you must be slipping! Kidding. I just moved Tom's thread to it's proper place, which as he pointed out should have been done before. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Ally |
Author: Christopher-Michael DiGrazia
Saturday, 04 August 2001 - 11:00 am | | Tom - Thank you for the kind words. Here's your bribe (D'OH!).
No, seriously, folks, Tom is a subscriber and contributor to RN, but all his opinions are his own (do you really think I'd have allowed him that 'lame cover' crack?). And I do appreciate the kind words; as Chris George can attest, self-publishing a magazine such as this is a difficult labour of love. The format and design are not, perhaps, as perfect as I would like them to be, but I am essentially self-teaching myself Quark and Photoshop and desktop publishing software. As I get more confident, I am hoping that future issues can live up to the "Ripperologist" standard.
The October issue normally goes to press the end of September; it will be a little late this year, as I will be attending the UK Ripper conference and filing a report about it. So here's a clarion call - if you'd care to contribute an article to the next or other issues of RN, please contact me at rneditor@casebook_productions.org. I've got a few interesting articles lined up, but can always use more.
CMD |
Author: Tom Wescott
Sunday, 05 August 2001 - 12:34 am | | CM,
Is the October issue going to be larger than usual with the convention and all? There's a lot going on...From Hell will be coming out, Stewart's book, and I think Ivor's book as well, although book releases are pretty unpredictable I've found. I'm hoping to do an interview with Ivor Edward's for RN. We'll see. Maybe someone from the 'From Hell' movie if I can arrange it and if anyone cares.
As far as the look of the mag goes, it's fine. Yeah, the last cover sucked, but generally it's all good. Don't make it too flashy. I think it's cool that Ripper Notes and Ripperologist don't look just alike. And I love the little lines you come up with to put under the title of the articles.
I suppose I may not seem too reserved in my praise at times, folks, but when something impresses me, I get pretty Gung Ho, be it a restaurant with great food AND prices, or a convenience store with good lighting, fresh foods, a clean bathroom, and great customer service (Quik-Trip) or a rock band (KISS), or even a magazine devoted to the study of a short-lived serial killer from another century and country. So, I thought I'd share my feelings about the latest issue with some of the folks out there who are missing out. I'd also like to see what others thought about some of the articles, like Des McKenna's characteristically controversial one. I've already received one email about that from my post above. All for now...
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott |
Author: Christopher T George
Sunday, 05 August 2001 - 12:44 am | | Hi, Tom:
I have not received my copy of Ripper Notes yet and I am very much looking forward to getting it even if it does contain the, yes, as you rightly note, "luke warm" review of the musical I have written with Erik Sitbon, Jack the Musical. Although I have not, as I say, seen the published issue, the review, written by editor Christopher-Michael DiGrazia was sent to me by e-mail some weeks ago.
Needless to say, I do not agree with Mr. DiGrazia's review and will be writing a letter to the editor about the review and how it came about. I say "how it came about" because Mr. DiGrazia has written his own musical on the Whitechapel murders. Because of this possibly perceived conflict of interest, he originally stated to me that he would "recuse" himself from writing the review and get someone else to review it but in the end reviewed it himself after all! Mr. DiGrazia's musical, by the way, premiered in Boston and Miami in workshop production some years ago and featured lyrics by Christopher-Michael DiGrazia and music by Steve Bergman.
I think Mr. DiGrazia and I have some basic differences on what a successful modern musical should be. In a private e-mail to me, he remarked that he disliked "power ballads" such as those featured in Les Miserables, Evita, and Phantom of the Opera. However, those are the shows that have been successful on the modern stage, and I protest that our show is being put down because we hold those works up as the standard to which we wish to aspire!
After venting the foregoing protest I must give Christopher-Michael credit, in that he has said he will monitor the progress of our show as it develops and report on it in the pages of Ripper Notes. To this aim, he has, I believe, asked Caroline Morris to review the concert performance of Jack the Musical at the UK convention in Bournemouth upcoming on September 28. Her review hopefully will appear in the October issue of Ripper Notes. I applaud CM's open-mindedness to the possibilities of our show and appreciate the fact that he has not shut off further discussion of our developing project as we push it towards the major stages of the world's theatre.
Best regards
Christopher T. George
Lyricist, Jack--The Musical |
Author: Christopher-Michael DiGrazia
Sunday, 05 August 2001 - 02:07 am | | I rather dislike taking this discussion public on the boards, CG, and wish you had mentioned it to me first. In any event, I fully agree - I did originally wish to recuse myself from writing a review of "Jack" because of my own show. However, in the course of soliciting reviewers, I could not find anyone whom I thought had the experience or knowledge to address the musical and lyrical structure of the show, and so did it myself by default. I plead guilty to the charge.
I hope this does not mean you consider my review to have been biased from the beginning, as though I would have a vested interest in running down your show at the expense of my own. Not true. "JTR - The Whitechapel Musical" is in a state of abeyance at the moment. Even if anyone were interested in producing it, it needs massive rewrites - especially in the second act - that I am simply unable to do at any time in the forseeable future.
I agree, we do have a difference in what constitutes a successful modern musical. I feel that the sort of grand spectacle of a "Les Miz" or "Phantom" is out of fashion. That sort of sung-through show is, at the moment, an artistic dead end, and has only recently been successful in "Titanic." The trend is now towards either a more book-oriented musical (such as "Parade") or pieces of fluff designed for pure entertainment ("Mamma Mia" or "The Producers"). I also think that "power ballads" (and by the term I reference such songs as "Someone Like You" or most of the dreadful Frank Wildhorn canon) are by their very nature anathema in a score designed to set a specific tone. If you're trying to recreate the world of 1888, it is not necessary for the score to sound like a slavish parody of Wagner or Stanford, but a song that can be pulled from the show and sung by starry-eyed 13 year old girls is not - in my opinion - something to which a serious musical score should aspire. I do not think "Jack" COULDN'T be successful; I think that it would be DIFFICULT for it to be successful given the current state of the Broadway musical. But that is strictly my opinion - which is, after all, the purpose of a review.
In my RN review, I specifically noted that a stage work is always a developing creature, and I took pains to note what I thought were "Jack's" strong points. I did not (or at least, don't think) simply give it an unmerciful slam. And I am looking forward to further developments in the show's career. Caroline Morris has been asked to review "Jack" at Bournemouth, and her review will appear in the October RN, for those of you who care to follow this little contremps.
Of course, as co-editor, the RN pages are always open for your thoughts, CG, and I'm glad to hear that the "Whitechapel Letterbox" will have at least one letter in it for October! You should be getting your copies of RN next week, as your bundle was the last that went into the mail.
As ever,
Christopher-Michael DiGrazia
Editor, "Ripper Notes"
past lyricist of "JTR - The Whitechapel Musical" |
Author: Christopher T George
Sunday, 05 August 2001 - 08:38 am | | Hi, Christopher-Michael:
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Yes, let's continue this debate in the letters column of Ripper Notes. No doubt a host of potential subscribers will be taking out new subscriptions in order to monitor the blow-by-blow match between us two warring aesthetes!
Of course, I am not accusing you of bias in your review of my musical simply on the basis of the fact that you have written a musical of your own on the theme of the Whitechapel murders. I just think that we have, as I have stated, a major disagreement on what a modern musical should be, a fact that I believe you well reflected in your reply, where you stated, "I feel that the sort of grand spectacle of a 'Les Miz' or 'Phantom' is out of fashion." How so, CM?!!! Both of these musicals are still running on Broadway, at the Imperial and Majestic theatres, respectively, for the umpteenth consecutive year!!! Enough said? Musicals come and go on Broadway, such as the recent drab Jane Eyre, but Les Mis and Phantom, musicals filled with fine, effective music, high drama, and passion (might I say a la Jack?), continue to be favorites with the theatre-going public.
Anyway, let's, as you say, continue this interesting debate in the letters section of Ripper Notes, the "Whitechapel Letterbox." Perhaps between us we can rewrite the rules for major musicals in the 21st century!
Incidentally, for anyone interested, the book and promo CD of Jack the Musical is for sale, with one on offer on ebay at this moment, or directly from me at editorcg@yahoo.com. Perhaps then interested readers can make their own judgement about the show!
With best regards
Christopher T. George
Lyricist, Jack the Musical |
Author: Tom Wescott
Sunday, 05 August 2001 - 11:35 pm | | CM and Chris,
Man, I didn't know I'd get something started with my review of the new RN. Don't be sore over a silly review, guys. I'm sure CM wouldn't review something with an ulterior motive. As for the musical stuff, I live in Oklahoma, so theatre isn't an option. When someone says 'power ballad' my generation thinks of Motley Crue's 'Home Sweet Home'! I certainly wouldn't have been qualified to write that review, and I'm not ashamed to say so as the live arts aren't my bag, even though I enjoy film acting. Also, let me add that just because something is currently passe does not mean it's without merit. Everything old is new again at some point, right? I'll bet I would enjoy both of your musicals. Why? Because I'd dig the tunes and wouldn't over-analyze them. That's how the average fan is. I've done movie reviews for websites and have to keep myself in check that I'm representing the interests of the people I'm writing the review for. They don't care if an actor in Friday the 13th relied too heavily on eye contact or if the girl finding the room full of bodies could have reacted more subtley and let the scene speak for her. Know what I mean? If you do, please explain it to me! Anyway, I think it's a funny coincidence that two RN editors (who have the same first name) are also musical composers! How odd! Do your kids have the same names, too? Ha ha. Just don't get any bad blood going, okay? Transfusions are icky!
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott |
Author: Jon
Tuesday, 07 August 2001 - 01:21 pm | | Just a quickie to join Tom in congratulating the Ripper Notes team (and contributors) for an excellent issue.
And, not to single out any particular article, but I was drawn to the 'Long vs Cadoche' subject, as this has been a topic of mine in the past. Dave Yost provides us with 4 potential scenario's identified as A, B, C, D. needless to say I (personally) would give most consideration to 'D'. And, come to think of it, it has been over 2 years (May 1999) since Steven F., Guy Hatton & myself discussed this problem and it was during those exchanges that the first suggestion was made of a Brewers clock chiming at the 1/4 hour (5:15am).
As Guy said at the time, to his knowledge, no-one had proposed that as a solution before.
I'm encouraged to finally see this suggestion being proposed as a satisfactory solution to the timing enigma, and of course this allows me to easily lend most credence to 'scenario D'.
However, the caveat is......we know the Spitalfields Church clock chimed the 1/4 hour, but we do not know if the Brewers clock did.
Regards, Jon
And for those of you who are not familiar with the four scenario's......you can soon fix that. Subscribe to 'Ripper Notes'.
http://www.casebook-productions.org/main.htm
One of the better ways to stay in touch with what really matters in modern opinions on an old mystery.
Psst....Is that corny, or what? |
Author: Christopher T George
Wednesday, 08 August 2001 - 12:34 am | | Hi, Jon:
On behalf of CM and myself and the other contributors, thank you for the plug for our magazine. We just received an e-mail from a new Ripper author praising our website as well, so we should be preening ourselves about now. 
Best regards
Chris |
Author: Tom Wescott
Wednesday, 08 August 2001 - 10:42 pm | | Jon,
I'm glad to see you share my opinion about the latest issue. I was wondering why the other RN readers have been so silent since I started this thread. You are correct about us not knowing if the brewer clock chimes on the quarter-hour, but when the facts are reviewed as thoroughly as they were by Dave Yost in the article, it hardly seems there's any other explanation.
Prospective subscribers,
As an added incentive for you to subscribe with the current issue, let me emphasize that there is not ONE goofy 'Ripper letters' article by Tom Wescott anywhere to be found! So hurry and subscribe as this gaurentee may not last.
Dave Yost,
I just got back from visiting the Casebook-Productions website for the first time in a while. It's a shame to see the message boards gone, as I liked leaving little notes from time to time, but I suppose it makes sense. One thing that is a bit unsettling is how little RN is featured on the site. If I were someone who just stumbled across the site for the first time (which, incidentally, is how I discovered it long ago) I would have to thorougly search it to know that you offered a quarterly Ripper magazine. It's your site to do with what you want, but I'd like to offer my suggestion (also to do with as you please) of making the mag more of a feature on your site. Even with the conference news there's plenty of room. Just a thought. Also, as much as I love to see my 'From hell' article featured, is it going to be updated with the new issue?
CM or Chris,
I'm going to be ordering two back issues. Is there S&H or do I just send a check for $12?
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott |
Author: Jon
Wednesday, 08 August 2001 - 11:27 pm | | Hi Tom
Here are some points to consider:
- 29 Hanbury St. is nearly halfway between the Brewers clock and Spitalfields Church. How would anyone know from which direction the chimes were coming from?...which clock was chiming the quarter hour?. If John Davis heard the Spitalfields clock chime the 1/4 hour at 5:45am from the back of #29 then how is it that Mrs Long heard the Brewers clock chime the 1/4 hour (5:15am?) from the front of #29. These directions are opposite of logic.
Were these clock chimes distinct?
A church clock and a Brewers clock may have been totally different in sound, especially as a Brewer is unlikely to install the bells of the same quality as a church.
Could the witnesses have mistaken the chimes?
Does it matter which clock was which?
Was the 1/4 hour chime distinct from the half hour chime?.
I went over some of these points a few months ago. Only to raise them as points for discussion, I have no opinion, just questions, which unfortunately only allow me to tentatively suggest that Mrs Long MAY have mistook the Brewers chime at the 1/4 hour for the half hour chime, assuming that clock actually DID chime the 1/4 hour, which we can only speculate about.
Regards, Jon |
Author: Christopher T George
Thursday, 09 August 2001 - 12:35 pm | | Hi, Tom:
$12.00 will cover it for the two back issues of Ripper Notes that you have ordered, shipping included. Many thanks. I endorse what you and Jon are saying about the quality of Dave Yost's research into the witness statements. Also, Tom, I appreciate your advice to play up Ripper Notes more on our site. I certainly agree on reflection that if our two strengths are to be (as they already are) our quarterly magazine Ripper Notes and the American conferences on Jack the Ripper..... roll the drums... upcoming in Baltimore April 19-21, 2002 with Donald Rumbelow folks, we need to emphasize Ripper Notes on the site. Therefore, I might suggest to Dave that instead of the front page of the site reading "Home of the American Conferences on Jack the Ripper" or the like, it maybe say something like "Home of the American Conferences on Jack the Ripper and home of Ripper Notes, the premier American journal on the Whitechapel murders."
Best regards
Chris George |
Author: Christopher-Michael DiGrazia
Thursday, 09 August 2001 - 03:08 pm | | Well, as editor of the rag in question, I must thank you all for the nice comments. It is a distinct pleasure to know that RN is enjoyed not only by newcomers to the mystery and the CP site (in fact, we just got a new subscriber today), but by those whose opinion matters in Ripper circles and those who make opinion in Ripper circles. So there.
October will be our tenth issue (who'd have thought?), and I hope to be introducing a few graphic changes in the January 2002 issue to keep us looking sharp - especially as I believe we are at last the ONLY American journal on the WM (I am almost certain Stephen Wright's "Whitechapel Journal" has folded, but am trying to confirm this). The October RN will have, of course, a full report on the UK Conference, an interview (I hope!) with Donald Rumbelow, reviews of "JTR: Letters From Hell," "A History of British Serial Killing," "JTR and the London Press," "Yesterday in Old Fall River" and "Edward the Caresser," an article by Derek Osborne on the Goulston Street Graffitto, a tantalising little piece by Carl Dodd and Larry Barbee and the first of a series of articles by a new writer to the RN pages. Possibly even some more Tom Wescott blatherings, if we're lucky.
I also hope that No. 2 of "The Whitechapel Dossier" will be forthcoming soon from Viper, but I encourage anyone who's got some serious research that ought to be in a book but isn't to get in touch with me. I'm hoping to do a "Dossier" myself on a little-known aspect of the MJK murder, but I have to find the time for the research.
All in all, a full plate for the next issue, but I'm always looking for more. You know how to get in touch with me - are you man enough to write for RN?
Think you're hard, do you? Come on, then - WRITE FOR US, DAMMIT!
(whoof. that's enough exertion in the heat wave we're having. Time for a wet bath and a dry martini).
CMD |
Author: David Radka
Thursday, 09 August 2001 - 07:10 pm | | I'm a member of Casebook Productions myself. Since I joined about a year ago, I'm wondering why I haven't been notified that my subscription to 'RN' is now up. Is somebody at 'RN' trying to tell me something? Hmmmm.....? Could it be that a certain someone possibly doesn't want me around anymore? And speaking about the Editor asking for submissions above, could it be that this certain someone owes me a submission, and for some reason doesn't want to submit it to me? Hmmm....??
David |
Author: Tom Wescott
Friday, 10 August 2001 - 12:56 am | | CM and all,
An interview with Donald Rumbelow would be awesome, especially for those of us who won't get to be at the conference to honor him in person. You mentioned a review of a book called 'Yesterday at Old Fall River', is that a new Lizzie Borden book? Is it fiction or non? It's starting to sound like another great issue is coming together. I've heard rumor that Chris George has a very interesting article that will hopefully appear in that issue. I'm not so sure now that my Frank Cater article will be there. I've received some information that will require a total restructuring of the article. I may need to hold back on it. However, I'm hoping I can do an interview with Ivor Edwards for his new book scheduled (last I heard) to come out in August or September. And I want everyone to help me come up with questions. Send them to Tcwes@aol.com and put 'Ivor Questions' in the subject. Tah-tah, for now.
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
P.S. Mr. Radka's ravings wouldn't have anything to do with that circulating email that read:
'Please don't tell David his subscription is up. Maybe he'll go away. - CM'
Naw, I'm sure the two are totally unrelated. |
Author: Christopher-Michael DiGrazia
Friday, 10 August 2001 - 10:14 am | | Tom - thank you for reminding me about CGs article. Yes, that too will be in the October issue. "Yesterday in Old Fall River" is an "encyclopedic compendium" on the Borden case. Really more for Borden devotees than anyone else, I'm sure, but as I've always considered Miss Lizzie and Mr Jack to be the two touchstone murder cases of the 19th century, I feel it worth reviewing.
Sorry to hear about your Frank Cater article, but the RN pages are always open to you. I'm looking forward to the Ivor Edwards interview.
David -
Before you drown in a sea of paranoid speculation, I should point out that your subscription to RN expires January 2002. You - along with a host of others whose subscriptions expire then - will be receiving a renewal letter with the October issue. It is then entirely your decision whether or not you wish to remain connected with this organisation.
And if I owe you anything other than the current issue of RN - which has already been mailed - please be kind enough to inform me.
Christopher-Michael DiGrazia,
Editor, "Ripper Notes" |
Author: Tom Wescott
Friday, 10 August 2001 - 07:00 pm | | CM,
Ivor emailed me today and confirmed that he like me to do an interview for RN. He will be letting me know as soon as his book is available so I can prepare. Was David serious with his accusations? I thought he was joking. If I'd known he was really pissed I wouldn't have made the joke in my P.S. above.
Does anybody know anything about a new Jack the Ripper encyclopdia that is supposed to be huge and cost $75? What's it about? When does it come out? Would it even be worth owning to those who have A-Z and "Ultimate'? I'd love some details. The new Lizze book sounds good, as well. I once wrote an unfinished horror screenplay called '40 Whacks: The Return of Lizzie Borden'. Ha ha.
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott |
Author: Christopher-Michael DiGrazia
Friday, 10 August 2001 - 10:00 pm | | Tom -
I believe you're thinking of "Jack the Ripper" by John Edlestone, to be published this month by ABC-Clio Booxs, Oxford. I mentioned it in the April RN - it is approximately $90 hardcover and $25 papberback. The promotional literature says that it will cover "every aspect of the Jack the Ripper murders in considerable detail, expose a number of myths and correct many points of misinformation." Hmm - haven't heard THAT before! I am trying to get a review copy, but no luck yet. |
Author: Tom Wescott
Tuesday, 05 February 2002 - 02:27 pm | | THE NEW ISSUE IS OUT...
As always, I was happy as a clam to come home and find the latest issue of RN awaiting my perusal. The cover of this issue is adorned with a photograph of young Walter Sickert, and inside you will find a review of Patricia Cornwell's Primetive Live! special by Jim DiPalma. The review will be very enlightening for those, such as myself, who missed the actual broadcast. Along with the other very welcome reviews, such as a praise-filled write-up on L. Perry Curtis' new 'JTR & The London Press' by editor Digrazia, are a bevy of interesting articles.
* 'A Curious Find In Goulston Street' by Derek Osborne is an intriguing piece on the much-debated graffito. While I must take acception with some of the points made by Mr. Osborne, his observations certainly made me want to take a closer look at the motives of PC Long, the first to discover the graffito. I have a feeling that this new line of inquiry opened by Mr. Osborne will be followed up by future authors.
* 'Dressed To Kill' - In his second installment of an ongoing serious examining the often-neglected odds and ends of Ripper research, author Tim Mosely explores the very real possibility that Jack utilized the fashions and adornements of his time to alter his appearance, thus explaining some of the conflicting witness descriptions.
* 'The Whitechapel Dossier #2: Berner Street' - This semi-regular feature of RN should be considered as nothing less than breakthrough. The purpose is to present information, down to the smallest details, of areas, places, and people relating to the Ripper case that have never and may never appear in books on the case. In this installment we follow Christopher-Michael Digrazia for a very detailed tour of Berner Street, its history, its people, and its important role in the Ripper investigation. Years from now, if a collection of all the Whitechapel Dossiers up to that point were published in a single volume, it will be heralded as a 'must have' for the serious Ripperologist. Why wait?
* News and Notes - The Ten Bells Reborn! New life for a Ripper musical. And, most importantly, the latest information on Francis Tumblety with the promise of more to come. If Tumblety is your man you need to keep your eye here.
* Short Takes - Also an ongoing feature, Short Takes is open to anyone wishing to publish a 500-1000 word essay on any aspect of Ripperology. In this edition Leonard Picker suggests a new line of enquiry that may yield the Ripper's names.
* The Whitechapel Letterbox - Once again, the editor receives a letter...from the editor! CM responds to Chris George's assessment of the recent Ripper encyclopedia from John Eddleston. Anyone thinking of plunking down close to $100 (or however many pounds that is) for this book should read this first!
All in all, another excellent issue of Ripper Notes. Why do I bother commenting on RN every time a new issue comes out? Simply because I find a lot of the conversation taking place on the Casebook to be repetitive, fantastical, or have no real bearing on the case. That being said, let me also state that this website, deservedly, will go down as being one of the most important contributions to Ripperology...EVER. However, I would also like to open the eyes of other researchers to the fact that MOST of the serious Ripper investigators do not post to the Casebook but instead publish their findings in one of the three Ripper magazines. I am not on the staff of any of the magazines, but am only an occasional contributor, therefore my enthusiasm is not motivated by personal gain. I imagine that most serious students of the case not subscribing to above magazines refrain from doing so because they're not sure what they'll be getting or if their money will be well-spent. It was for these reasons that I myself hesitated for years before taking out subscriptions. And that was only after I received a free issue of Ripper Notes AND Ripperologist! Some of these issues are hard to track (I'm still missing over 20 of Ripperologist) so get 'em while the getting's good.
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
P.S. Soon I will open a post called 'Ripper Magazines - A Beginner's Guide' which will take a closer look at, as well as compare and constrast, the three major Ripper magazines currently on the market. I will encourage other readers of the mags to post their thoughts and experiences as well, for the benefit of those who wish to learn as much as they can about this most intriguing of mysteries. |
Author: Christopher T George
Wednesday, 06 February 2002 - 09:30 am | | Hi, Tom:
Thanks once again for your welcome plug of Ripper Notes and your recognition of the diverse informative fare we offer.
While I have yet to receive my copy, and am hoping it may be in today's mail (!) I think you will find that it was me responding to Christopher-Michael's review of the Eddleston encyclopedia not vice versa. As you hinted in your mention of my letter to the editor, I think Eddleston's encyclopedia has some merits but I find it vastly overpriced. For a suspect-by-suspect summary, for example, instead of the tiny pen portraits offered by Dr. Eddleston, Ripper afficianados will still have to use the more fullsome and informative write-ups in the trusty old A to Z at a fraction of the price! I also find Eddleston's claim to be bringing scholarship to the Ripper field to be pompous since he is clearly not the first to have done so, given the previously published excellent scholarly works by Begg, Sugden, and Evans and Skinner.
All the best
Chris George |
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