PART ONE: IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY?

Preface, objectives, acknowledgements:

   If you are more than a little familiar with this subject, I have an idea about what you’re thinking…Yes, this is yet another book about the faceless fiend we know as Jack the Ripper and the infamous Whitechapel Murders that took place in the East London of late 19^th Century Victorian England; I can offer you no convincing reason why this needs to be read. Before you go any further, it must be said up front that you should not expect to find any revelations regarding this topic; this book will not settle any debates or solve this puzzle, nor does it profess to be a defining last word. What this book will do is repeat some of the basic facts as we tend to accept them, explore some of the controversies and their origins and attempt to clarify or challenge some of the general assumptions associated with this case, all through the eyes of one of the many who have become obsessed with this most profound riddle of history.

   Currently we are in the midst of another red tide epidemic of “Ripper” books. Very little in the way of new information (at least of the significantly relevant type) has come to light in relation to the number of words that have been recently published. That’s not to say there hasn’t been a few good new works, but the pickings are slim.[1] And in consequence, the field has become unnecessarily bloated and convoluted.

   Yes, I find the explosion of interest a bit intimidating and it shows in my general attitude toward the case, but there are, most definitely, some researchers of late who have put considerable and honorable effort into furthering our understanding of the crimes and times of Jack the Ripper and I am confident that there are things yet to be discovered that will be found and subsequently have profound effects on our perceptions. Maybe never a universally satisfactory identification, but with any luck something may turn up that can allow us to categorically reject some of the parasitic entities that have attached themselves comfortably to their sometimes all-too-willing host of commercial Ripperology.    

   Our opinions are often formed with only scraps or singular “clues” with which to work; we amplify the significance of these bits and pieces because the surviving “facts” are few, therefore rare, therefore significant- but the gaps in information are at least as important as the tangible facts that we do possess. Frustrating as this conclusion is, we just don’t know enough... The resulting conclusions/assumptions can retard our investigative inclinations with respect to overall scope, potentially limiting our resources and possible avenues of research.

   Despite my ego and awkwardly attempted semantic gymnastics, I have no right to expect you to trust me. Just because I have read the majority of the obligatory works on this topic doesn’t make me an expert; I am not presenting an encyclopedia. And I am opinionated. I have not touched nor even seen any of the remaining original documents or official records, so my credentials may be flawed in the eyes of some; I have placed my trust in such monstrously invaluable works as The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Sourcebook by Stewart Evans and Keith Skinner, The Jack the Ripper A-Z by Paul Begg, Martin Fido and Keith Skinner, as well as The Complete History of Jack the Ripper and Jack the Ripper: The Facts. I’ve done my best to keep up with historical updates and corrections.

   For the record, I’ve always held that I believe in nothing; mainly because I can’t ever seem to interpret the impressions made upon my senses as gospel; But there are things that I am inclined to imagine that appear to me as representations of truth that have profound influences on my words. The words I speak cannot alter history, they only represent the dominant images that are a result of my obsessive attraction to these particular historical events and the subsequent technical scrutiny that I continuously subject these images to. I don’t know anything more than the next dude…but I do aspire towards the most probably impossible nonetheless.

   Most books are fairly formulaic and follow particular patterns, varying most often only regarding particular priorities and general tone: descriptions of the crimes and times, including the geography, inhabitants, victims, politics,  witnesses, the police and government officials, investigations, the Press and the “suspects”; a declaration of objectivity; the exposition of previous  literary “errors”; and the inevitable endorsement of a suspect or particular theory…all using tools from the same toolbox: like using and over-using the same sources, or the same words and phrases, while repeating the same popular relevant quotes. These things are practically inescapable, and I cannot ignore my own vulnerability and inability to resist such temptations. I don’t see a good enough reason to purposely deviate from these time-tested blueprints, however, but it seems that I cannot help but to occasionally stray. Hopefully the result will not be too confusing…

   My arguments will be disproportionate compared with my summary of events.

   Something I would like to address, which will be one of several recurring themes in the course of these writings, is the rather sneaky habit of using assumptions, however they are arrived at, whether it be consciously or otherwise to simplify or organize the facts, or remnants thereof that survive to substantiate a hypothesis or personal belief. (Although this principle can and will be used against me in the Court of Ripperology, in regards to some of my own prejudices later on.) In a later chapter I will offer just a few samples of offenses, albeit only minor ones, (and I must stress the nit-picking nature) to show just how tricky things can be, even when dealing with the best sources. (And because these details can and have been used as building blocks that can tend to lead to conspicuously weak foundations.)

   Certainly my personal opinions will not always sit well with everyone, and in many circumstances will be dismissed outright by those who also claim to be well informed in these matters; regrettably, my opinions will undoubtedly alienate some who read this. I expect that those whose beliefs are firmly rooted in supposition are far less likely to find any value in this, but others, I think, may find a few things deserving a closer inspection. In the course of this, some of my own views will likely change, as they’ve continued to evolve throughout my interest in this particular episode in history.

   I will, however tedious this may seem to some, attempt a crude summary of the crimes and times, which I do feel is compulsory when undertaking any survey or scrutiny of these events, and in the course will suggest better places to look for the missing, yet available details that are so important in putting in perspective and understanding these crimes; for those new to this, I hope you will find in these writings a useful and economical tool to further explore, but for those who have studied the Whitechapel Murders this is a challenge to question your own thinking and maybe, just maybe be a light that shines through a pinhole in the blind. In the course I will pillage the best sources, but acknowledge every instance; I will cut and paste a great many words and quotes that have been authored by others. My words will weave in and out of this curious, if uneven compilation, hopefully with some positive effect.

   Something went terribly wrong in the East End of London in 1888; something profoundly different from the daily tragedies and usual hardships of life on the outer fringes of a great city and a great Empire. Women were murdered in a most savage and disturbing manner, calling to attention the unimaginable depths of the human condition in those places, in those times…To this day the particulars are contested and engulfed in a fog thicker and as pungent as any experienced in Queen Victoria’s London. Ten women in all were included in the Whitechapel murders file[2], which covers the years 1888 to 1891 when the last investigative entry was deposited[3]. No one was ever convicted or even brought to trial for any of these crimes; and, as it is very unlikely that only one person was responsible for all of these murders, most studies concentrate on what are currently known as the “canonical five” (the 3^rd through the 7^th victims, from 31 August to 9 November, 1888) and from there the debates go haywire. It has become a game in which none of the original participants survive; and so now, apparently, it is left up to us to continue…Unfortunately, it seems we are so detached that often it is forgotten that the victims of these crimes were living, breathing human beings not so much unlike ourselves than we tend to imagine. And another obvious tendency seems to be to try and neatly organize and explain the circumstances of these women and their respective demises, in relation to a simple solution and hopefully universally accepted identification of an overtly sinister fiend whose methods and madness separated him from the common murderer and whose anonymity became his signature. But in each of the cases, whether or not connected to one another, we cannot underestimate the significance of that particular prospective murderer or victim nor should we carelessly toss aside any possible connections; we need to stop and take a breath once in a while and survey the scene from above.

   The romantic visions of gaslight, top hats, feathered bonnets and Sherlock Holmes that immediately come to mind when Victorian London is mentioned bear little resemblance to the realities of the every day struggles of the men, women and children who suffered and persevered amidst the growing chasm between the wealth and prosperity of the “successful” and the poverty and despair of the downtrodden. West and East London were dramatic examples of a disparity that is seldom observed in the cities of today’s Western society. (Although without doubt this is something that is not yet extinct in the modern world. Have you ever been to Washington, D.C.?)

   J.H. MacKay (c. 1891) wrote:

 “The East End of London is a hell of poverty. Like an enormous, black, giant kraken, the poverty of London lies there in lurking silence and encircles with its mighty tentacles the life and wealth of the West End…”

   This may have been a frightening view of some of those closest, yet still clearly on the outside looking in, but this was only the tip of the iceberg.

   I have been personally moved by these other, darker visions of Victorian London on a level that I can neither justify nor explain. I feel humbled and remain confused as to why I have been affected in such a way, but I feel an overwhelming need to explore further. And so I wander, sometimes aimlessly, in many different directions.

  “…Mary Kelly, last victim of Jack the Ripper…”- it was a combination of those words, not necessarily in that order, that sent my imagination spiraling, almost immediately out of control. Quite unexpectedly a deep nerve was struck, something stirred inside and life took on a permanent new dimension.

   I had caught the tail end of a television documentary about a subject I new nothing of, save the name…interest snowballed and inspiration steamrolled. Since then I have journeyed upwards of twenty times to the East End from New England, slept in almost every room of the Ten Bells, the infamous Commercial Street public house and spent countless hours trying to absorb what remains of the ghosts of 1888. This is my twisted Mecca, the latest stop on a questionably pointless pilgrimage toward the meaning of it all.

   I’d rather not waste too much of your time, so to make things perfectly clear right at the outset, this is, most apparently to me, an exercise more specifically designed for my own benefit, with the ulterior motive being the hopes of benefiting the casual observer and even more hopefully the studied, with an alternative insight via yet another collection of opinions and observations regarding the time-worn story of Jack the Ripper. I cannot reasonably justify writing a book, but I am not alone in trying to rationalize the horrific crimes that, by today’s standards may not seem so outstanding, but were such a violent shock to Victorian England and which have since created such a storm of debate. And the big problem is that there is no ending for the story of Jack the Ripper. We don’t know who, we don’t know how many and we don’t know why. And with what we do know now, we begin the restoration project: from every conceivable angle and in every conceivable direction. Many scenarios have been proposed, some easily embraced, and others easily disposed of. The parameters for theorizing are set by popular consensus, which is a combination of known facts and speculation, for the indeterminate truths leave gaping holes in this sad and ugly story.

 “Theories!” exclaims the inspector, when conversing about the murders- “we were lost almost in theories; there were so many of them.”[4]

   Personally I do not subscribe to any particular theory nor do I feel obligated to formulate one of my own. Certainly there are opinions that I carry that tend to hold sway on my observations, but I continuously try to overcome these, for speculation is far too easily transformed into fantasy.

   Nobody can seem to find the key…should we wait for someone on the inside to open the door, should we knock it down, or should we just guess what lies behind it? Patience, determination, learned speculation…these are the ingredients we have at our disposal to concoct our sublime recipes. But we all have different tastes; and dare I suggest that we consider ourselves here? I’m not ashamed to say so, for I find it unlikely that anyone could enjoy my words more than me. And thus I embark on this doomed journey of self-aggrandizement, in hopes that I can at least make some sense of this Jack the Ripper business to myself.

   What this is not. As intimated earlier, this is not a “final solution”, a reference guide, an encyclopedia, a “must have”, or a “complete” or “definitive” anything; I really can’t say for sure what it is…this book will solve nothing. But I feel a great weight will somehow be lifted from my shoulders and maybe, just maybe, someone will somehow find this in some way useful.

   Here I will renounce my objectivity openly and not just try and disguise my subjectivity with heroic claims or subtle infusions. I need to know, as desperately as anyone, how the story of Jack the Ripper and the Whitechapel Murders ends; and I am quite prepared to share everything I know, have experienced and think about this subject to get nearer to this goal. (And I’m sure I’m not alone, if not as admirably ambitious as some others.)

   I will most certainly be emphasizing the aspects of this story that most intrigue and provoke me. And I will stress my firmest subjective conviction: that as of this moment, the words of Sir Robert Anderson, Assistant Commissioner of Police and head of the Criminal Investigation Department during the “Autumn of Terror”, contain the best clues that we have. He repeatedly asserted in print that the Whitechapel murderer was known to the police and that his reign of terror came to an end after his identification and subsequent incarceration in an asylum. I believe that Sir Robert was more credible than he gets credit for. I believe he was proud of his service and his conscience was clear. Because we have not yet been able to make sense of all the details pertaining to this identification and incarceration, and in spite of the representatives of this new kind of flea circus who are executing miraculous and clairvoyant leaps of imagination, we can’t be sure that we’ve identified the man Anderson speaks of, or the actual witness who made the identification. There are many proposed possible solutions (not least of which that Anderson was mad), and there are many dubious contradictions of the official and unofficial records that can be and are used to bolster or shred the characters of those who have left us these clues- it can be a very effective way of helping to drive home personal convictions- but often there is more bark than bite. I doubt my bark will scare anyone enough to fear my bite.

   An alternative purpose of this adventure is to re-visit very basic points and re-think some of the things that we may or may not have taken for granted, while still trying to digest the current explosion of minutiae attaching to this baffling case. I am committed to the belief that our best shot at “solving” this conundrum is to continue to examine the basic facts on the simplest level over and over again without submitting to the persuasions of our imaginations. Impossible? I think not. Improbable? Unfortunately it appears so. But I haven’t given up and I’ll bet you a pint that if we ever find out who Jack the Ripper was, my general guesses won’t be too far off.

   Apologies.

   I’ve become less patient with the current state of affairs of “Ripperology”, whether it is because I am put off by the current expanding interest, depressed by the dust that has collected on my images, or a combination of both- but not an hour goes by that is void of manufactured memories of 1888…it’s some kind of illness, I readily, if unsteadily acknowledge; a sure form of self-abuse this is, but will it cause me to go mad?

   Relax, this is only a test…To summarize, this is an attempt to evaluate my own impressions and positions; it’s doubtful that these views have become permanent, and hopefully, despite periods of stagnation, new information will continue to trickle our way that influences the collective. By presenting several unpopular arguments, examining elements of this mystery that, in my eyes, have been neglected, ignored, or diminished- and allowing the words of several of the key players in the perpetuation of this mystery to stand side by side with each other and also within and around one another as support, the pictures I have in my head have the opportunity to explain themselves, while testing their lucidity. I’d like, for the sake of future comparison, to preserve my thoughts and images as they are at this point; I have every intention of expanding and augmenting this continuously; something may eventually emerge that is more organized and even. These pictures, however influenced by prejudices, are what I see at this juncture of the State of Ripperology. Should you care? Well, if you do, then you’ll read on…

   Prerequisites.

   If you don’t already possess the obligatory handful of important books on the subject, you will need to access some sources of information that will be necessary to more fully comprehend my ramblings in the context in which they are meant to be included.  Otherwise you can skip around to the important parts, which will probably not need to be pointed out. But for the beginner first:

   For starters, a short-cut and unquestionably the most complete and up to the minute source of information at the moment is Stephen P. Ryder’s Casebook: Jack the Ripper website. It’s an unbelievably vast and varied repository of Ripper-related material. All the history, all the quotes, all the debates, all the statistics, almost everything, including transcripts of truck-loads of newspaper accounts from across the world are there. Dozens of the most informed and able researchers, enthusiasts and writers contribute regularly. I can’t say enough- just check it out.

   Several books exploring various subjects surrounding this mystery should serve as a solid foundation for a proper objective study. Books dealing with subjects such as the people and conditions of Victorian London’s East End, more specifically the histories of the indigenous Cockneys, immigration, crime and the Press are also necessary to put all of the details of the murders in proper perspective. This is something, I believe, that is an often neglected responsibility when one is serious about this particular study. East End 1888, The Streets of East London, and of a deeper element East End Jewish Radicals 1875-1914 by William J. Fishman are among my favorites, as well as the absolutely amazing The East End Then and Now, edited by Winston G. Ramsey and Rothschild Buildings by Jerry White. There are many more interesting sources to be mentioned along the way.

   Especially in the last few years, a number of works dedicated specifically to the Whitechapel murders have cleared a good amount of the fog that had engulfed the history of the murders, yet only a few are really necessary to understand the basic elements. On the simplest level, the best places to start might be the mini-sized The Life and Times of Jack the Ripper by Philip Sugden or The Pocket Essential Jack the Ripper by Mark Whitehead and Miriam Rivett. These two offer a great overview with most of the important details and virtually no trace of bias, which can be the Achilles’ heel of otherwise admirable works. The main cornerstones of further investigations would include The Jack the Ripper A-Z, The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Sourcebook/Companion, The Complete Jack the Ripper by Donald Rumbelow, Jack the Ripper: The Facts, and the reigning king of the field, Philip Sugden’s The Complete History of Jack the Ripper. There are, of course, imperfections of varying degrees to be found in almost every book pertaining to the Whitechapel murders, and the earlier the publication date, the more likely these errors are to occur. (But, unbelievably, there have been some of very recent date that are riddled with mistakes via shoddy research.) Our knowledge base is being continuously updated and revised and one really needs to be up to the minute to be safe in these sometimes treacherous waters. As an example of how particular my scrutiny can be, I have to admit my reservations regarding Mr. Sugden’s opus The Complete History…, for although it is a tremendously well-researched and accurate account of the facts up to its original print date, there is an underlying slant that is cleverly and astutely masked by the author’s shout of supreme objectivity and condemnation of subjectivity. Most noticeable is suggestion of a possible “most likely” suspect and less overt but more disagreeable (to me, that is) is his character assault of Sir Robert Anderson. (Anderson, incidentally, has become quite the popular whipping boy. Sugden pummels him as if he were taking revenge on the bully who had stolen his lunch money back in primary school.) He very persuasively argues his reasons why we should treat his suppositions, however scholarly and logical they may be, as nearly truths, but I for one, cannot accept that as being without bias or prejudice. His own “spirit of gross boastfulness” can be forgiven, for this book is an invaluable and indispensable factual account of the murders. But here is where my “objectivity” goes out the window; more on this later. A sample of some of the other books dealing directly with the Whitechapel murders that do justice to honest research are (again, as will be the case throughout this effort, only my not-so-humble opinions), in no particular order, Jack the Ripper: The Definitive History by Paul Begg, The News from Whitechapel: Jack the Ripper in the Daily Telegraph by Alexander Chisholm, Christopher-Michael DiGrazia and Dave Yost, The Crimes, Detection and Death of Jack the Ripper by Martin Fido and The Jack the Ripper Handbook : A Reader’s Companion by Ross Strachan.  Of a more specific nature, Jack the Ripper : A Cast of Thousands and Will the Real Mary Kelly…?  by Christopher Scott are prime examples of just how dedicated today’s researchers of Ripperology can be. These are by no means the only works worth reading, only a few personal suggestions. Who Was Jack the Ripper? , a collection of 53 different takes on the murders by authors, researchers, historians and enthusiasts, compiled by Camille Wolff, is worth the investment if you can track one down also. Shortly I will mention some that should be avoided like the plague. In between the extremes there are dozens upon dozens of varying substance. Many of these are hard to find. The vast majority have been written since 1988, the centenary of the murders. There are a number of period photographs, sketches, maps and other reproductions of the murder sites, victims, suspects and officials available and many books whose text may be of questionable value are rescued by their inclusion. This one will sink or swim without such insurance; the less-than-spectacular photographs included in these pages show what remains of Jack the Ripper’s hunting ground and require some degree of imagination to appreciate. Many of these scenes are changing as you read this and some have all but vanished…

   In recent years there have been a number of television documentaries, spanning the spectrum of reality, that generally acquit themselves fairly well when summing up the story and in spite of the barrage of criticisms that can be levied by us Ripperologists. I find myself viewing these as a sort of “find the flaws” game show, and this behavior in itself reveals a glimpse of the sort of mentality which one might possess who obsesses over this mystery.

   Sifting Through the Rubbish

  “The link between fact and fiction was being forged in a way that would influence people’s understanding of the mystery for the next hundred years, helping to obscure the relevance of those ten weeks in 1888.”[5]

   Inevitably, when dealing with such a marketable commodity as a fill-in-the-blanks mystery, fantasy as well as treachery flourish. And the task of detecting and debunking such undesirable elements (if, in fact you are seeking the “truth”) can be laborious.

   Many dark trails have been carved through the dense smog that shrouds this mystery; yet, let the unwary be warned, for you are entering a dangerous and untamed world where both fact and fiction hide in the shadowy recesses of consciousness, both waiting in the wings to burst forth and claim their respective victims. But indeed they both seek the same victim, albeit for different reasons. (If we are ever to solve this puzzle, it might be logical to conclude that concerted efforts, as opposed to individual and exclusive pursuits, would be more beneficial if, in fact, we do share a common goal. I believe that most of us do.) Sometimes it is difficult to tell the two apart.

   The foul stenches associated with the slums of the East End toward the end of the nineteenth Century can be rivaled only by the exploits of the greedy charlatans who have built themselves strategically placed nests throughout the land of Ripperology. We have all been fooled at one time or another and unfortunately this game is far from over. To try and fit hunches to the known facts or speculate about suspects or motives is not in and of itself unhealthy or undesirable and most efforts begin sincerely, but to exploit the curiosity of others deceitfully deserves the criticisms I am hereby inflicting. To follow one’s instincts to the end is noble, but to deny or conceal wrong conclusions and by selling a book simply to recoup the emotional or financial losses incurred when undertaking such endeavors is not only selfish, it’s dishonest and disrespectful. Unfortunately this has been the case much too often. But surely we must all make a living.  Anyway, enough moralizing for now (surely to be continued). Yes, it is also disrespectful for me to criticize authors who have undoubtedly worked hard to see their efforts to fruition, but I will not let these criticisms apply to authors or their theories simply because I disagree. I have had hunches and explored scenarios born of my imagination also and I suspect this should not cease. The following represents only the blatantly deceptive. My apologies to those who have been able to admirably restrain themselves, out of respect for us all, when discussing these particular situations; an obvious weakness of mine is that I take all of this a bit too seriously. But at this point I really have nothing much to lose.

   The most well-publicized and unfortunately most innocently consumed and accepted attempts at solutions tend to be the furthest from reality. (Any discussions pertaining to our individual perceptions of “reality” need not make an appearance here!)

   Royal conspiracy theories, the supposed Maybrick diary and Hell-bent forensic imposters must be dispensed with immediately and completely if we are seeking the truth, unless of course you fancy fraud and wild fantasy to spice up the quest…and have the time to kill. (I’m sure this radical departure from polite acceptance will be a shock to some, especially those who may have been previously influenced by any of these sensational digressions. No offense to those who may have been duped, many of these stories have been meticulously researched and well written, as well as being convincing.)

   The Royal Conspiracy Theories: Intricate and sometimes valuable research, scandalous intrigue and delicate weaving make these stories fascinating reading and hard to resist, but ultimately their origins are all traceable to suspect sources and conniving literary philanderers. Any theory that includes Prince Eddy, Duke of Clarence, Sir William Gull, et al., secret marriages and government blackmail by low-class prostitutes, or any combination of these interchangeable characters is rooted firmly in fantasy. Not necessarily bad reads, but you will not find the real Jack the Ripper here. (The 2002 Hughes Brothers’ film From Hell exploits these elements, and my advice is, if you feel compelled to be exposed to a conglomeration of these tales, see the movie, forget the books. In spite of the fictional treatment, the style, music and surprising attention to detail make this an atmospheric and entertaining adventure.)

   The Maybrick Diary: A journal mysteriously appeared around 1992 that was supposedly written by a man from Liverpool who described in detail his murderous exploits in London in 1888. Much hoopla has swirled about regarding this provocative piece of shit, including the testing of the paper, handwriting, “ion migration” of the ink used, etc., but a close inspection of the text renders it all a serious waste of time. (As usual, the composer was very attentive to detail- kudos to the evil SOB.) Absolutely nothing as far as actual details of the crimes described here is news to researchers and as a matter of fact, just about every detail can be traced to previous authors, newspaper accounts and otherwise public information readily available to anyone so interested. One only needs to look at the supposed details of the murder scene of Mary Kelly to find a whopping contradiction of the official record, which of course is later ridiculously explained away in defense of our drug-addicted hero.[6]  The author’s true identity and the time of its creation are of little concern as, whoever it was who penned this journal was NOT the author of these famous crimes. But again, professional spin doctors manipulate readers unmercifully with their smoke and mirrors, and the “diary” and its evil offspring continue to sell, as do the sensational yarns of the aforementioned “conspiracy” theories. Sure, see for yourself, I will say I told you so.

   Case Closed? In the autumn of 2002, Patricia Cornwell, prolific fiction writer, declared that she had proven beyond doubt the identity of Jack the Ripper. This claim has been made over and over again, and this one deserves a big, sarcastic yawn. Although she may be an intelligent and gifted speaker, she not only has defamed a respected, if idiosyncratic Victorian artist, she may have succeeded in destroying any hope of future credibility in the realms of “true crime” writing. (Not that she needs it.) Her absurd bent on “proving” her suspect’s guilt is a genuine insult to the dedicated researchers, theorists and enthusiasts who, although not able to claim such insane financial sacrifices, have spent countless years studying the case. Ms. Cornwell’s “voodoo forensics” also do a substantial injustice to REAL criminal investigators. To believe in a particular theory is not the issue, it’s the way it’s presented that gets my goat. (I have grave doubts that she actually believes this theory herself.)

   It is politically incorrect and may or may not serve a practical purpose to spit such venom, but I am deeply offended and cannot help myself from being honest about these feelings. I have not and will not EVER use the knowledge I have gained to deceive. (With the possible exception being myself.)

   The burning irritation I feel for even mentioning these farcical endeavors does not allow for any more discussion about them in these pages. PERIOD.

   There are some other baffling works not quite so deserving of such harsh treatment, but worthy of mention amongst the rubbish nonetheless.

   I’m still not quite sure what to make of Jack the Ripper “Light-hearted Friend” by Richard Wallace, but at best it is merely a bad joke. Anagrams in the works of Lewis Carroll implicate him in the murders of prostitutes? This book is a finalist for the “most ridiculous theory” award. This was the first book that actually made me angry for being so obviously ripped-off, but apparently the joke is on me and now I have to accept that.

   Pamela Ball’s Jack the Ripper A Psychic Investigation by title alone pretty much says it all, but this is a perfect example of a book being saved by the inclusion of quality illustrations. I myself have done a considerable amount of “psychic research” and have experienced various Epiphanies, some “startling”, others “prosaic” yet I will choose at this time not to reveal them. (Cash in now, baby.)

  (I may add here that these last two specific examples do not fall under my category of “blatantly deceptive”.)

   These are only a sample of the most obvious deviant studies and although far-fetched, thankfully not always devoid of aesthetic value. At best, all of these do represent a colorful bridge that spans the spectrum of the legend of “Jack the Ripper”. There are many more kicking about, of varying collectible or historical value. For the right price, any of these might make a handsome addition to any completist collector’s empty shelf space. It seems an inescapable right of passage to read and, whenever possible, possess every word written on the subject, but I guess it’s all in good fun (and good practice) anyway. As much as I’d like to deny it, I am guilty, as charged.

   Anyway, let’s get on with the show. I will do my best during the next few chapters to bite my tongue when it comes to opinion and try (that’s try) to present the bones of the story with as little embellishment as possible. My prejudices, I’m sure, will find a way to expose themselves, as they’ve not the patience to wait for the chapters dedicated specifically for them, which will, as it happens, provide the bulk of this adventure.

   I’m very relieved to have gotten that out of the way; it’s unnecessary to tow any dead weight…

FOOTNOTES:

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