Bruce Robinson on They All Love Jack: Busting the Ripper

[Rob1n]

I notice the download version of this book is currently available at a very low price. However, is there anything in it worth reading?

It's a long book and takes some reading! Very interesting reading and, again, like a lot of books I've read about JTR, there are very plausible explanations for reasons why JTR got away with it.
I'm no expert on the subject but, there are lots of doubts raised about the way the Police and the authorities handled the case. I think this is the first book I've read that slams people like Dr Phillips and coroner Baxter et al. He absolutely trashes the Freemasons without following the "Royal coverup". Interesting if long book, I'll have to read it again as it takes some digesting, definitely one worth reading - almost has me sold!

[barnflatwyngarde]

That puts it up there with a lot of Ripper books.

That is sadly true.

[ChrisGeorge]

Yeah, I would certainly give it a go.

It is a Ripper book like no other.

To say that Robinson's take on the murders is unorthodox, is an understatement.

He ploughs on with his theory totally ignoring what most people would regard as hard evidence.

That puts it up there with a lot of Ripper books.

[barnflatwyngarde]

I notice the download version of this book is currently available at a very low price. However, is there anything in it worth reading?

Yeah, I would certainly give it a go.

It is a Ripper book like no other.

To say that Robinson's take on the murders is unorthodox, is an understatement.

He ploughs on with his theory totally ignoring what most people would regard as hard evidence.

[John G]

Hello John

Paul Begg wrote a very long review of this very long book in our October 2015 issue. You may download the pdf of Ripperologist 146 containing Paul's review of Robinson's book at http://www.ripperologist.biz/pdf/ripperologist146.pdf -- it's a big issue of just over 100 pages.

To give you the flavor of the review and the upsides and downsides of the book, which rests largely on the Freemason Theory and that Michael Maybrick as a Freemason committed the murders, here is an excerpt:

"Robinson’s arguments follow a well-worn and predictable pattern. One claim is piled on another, then another, and another, until the sheer weight seems overwhelmingly persuasive, but each of the claims has to be rock solid. All it takes is one weak link for the whole edifice comes crashing down like a tottering Jenga tower. I genuinely hate to say it, but I have a horrible feeling that in a few months we’ll see piles of this book on tables in the remainder shops.

"However, there is definitely gold in them there pages. I have no doubt at all that it will repay careful reading. If researchers cut through the crap and focus on the questions Robinson asks, such as the whole issue of Matthew Packer, we might either get a completely new perspective on some things or tighten up what is already known. Either way, we’ll find nuggets. I hope they’ll be worth the effort."

Best regards

Chris

Hi Chris,

Thanks for this, much appreciated. I'll read the review before deciding on whether to purchase although, in any event, I'm not sure I can be bothered to wade through 800 pages!

[ChrisGeorge]

I notice the download version of this book is currently available at a very low price. However, is there anything in it worth reading?

Hello John

Paul Begg wrote a very long review of this very long book in our October 2015 issue. You may download the pdf of Ripperologist 146 containing Paul's review of Robinson's book at http://www.ripperologist.biz/pdf/ripperologist146.pdf -- it's a big issue of just over 100 pages.

To give you the flavor of the review and the upsides and downsides of the book, which rests largely on the Freemason Theory and that Michael Maybrick as a Freemason committed the murders, here is an excerpt:

"Robinson’s arguments follow a well-worn and predictable pattern. One claim is piled on another, then another, and another, until the sheer weight seems overwhelmingly persuasive, but each of the claims has to be rock solid. All it takes is one weak link for the whole edifice comes crashing down like a tottering Jenga tower. I genuinely hate to say it, but I have a horrible feeling that in a few months we’ll see piles of this book on tables in the remainder shops.

"However, there is definitely gold in them there pages. I have no doubt at all that it will repay careful reading. If researchers cut through the crap and focus on the questions Robinson asks, such as the whole issue of Matthew Packer, we might either get a completely new perspective on some things or tighten up what is already known. Either way, we’ll find nuggets. I hope they’ll be worth the effort."

Best regards

Chris

[John G]

I notice the download version of this book is currently available at a very low price. However, is there anything in it worth reading?

[Pcdunn]

Yep. It was fun while it lasted, dead dogs and flowers and all...

[barnflatwyngarde]

Barnflat, look at this:

http://forum.casebook.org/showthread.php?t=6358&highlight=Vincent+Van+Gogh

They moved it here to Pub Talk after awhile.

Thanks for this Pcdunn.

I tend not to bother reading the dafter theories on the message boards, but I did quick wander through the guys links propagating his theory.

Genuine frontier gibberish!

[Pcdunn]

Too late, old chap...

For God's sake don't sow the seed!!!

Barnflat, look at this:

http://forum.casebook.org/showthread.php?t=6358&highlight=Vincent+Van+Gogh

They moved it here to Pub Talk after awhile.

[barnflatwyngarde]

So far no book has been published on the Van Gogh as JTR idea yet, so THAT'S encouraging!

For God's sake don't sow the seed!!!

[Pcdunn]

Absolutely right!

I can only assume that the audience were more familiar with Withnail and I than the JTR murders.

I agree that the prevalence of "outrageous theories" is slowly sliding into the world of fake news.

Is it naive to hope that publishers should be refusing to publish the clearly outlandish theories?

Answering my own question...............yes, it probably is.

So far no book has been published on the Van Gogh as JTR idea yet, so THAT'S encouraging!

[barnflatwyngarde]

Isn't that how outrageous theories continue to gain traction, that the general public's ignorance of the case is palpable, that editors and publishers are anxious to push the latest "solution" to the case, with very little discernment? After all everyone wants to know who Jack was. That's the fallout and effect of this most famous of Victorian cases.

Absolutely right!

I can only assume that the audience were more familiar with Withnail and I than the JTR murders.

I agree that the prevalence of "outrageous theories" is slowly sliding into the world of fake news.

Is it naive to hope that publishers should be refusing to publish the clearly outlandish theories?

Answering my own question...............yes, it probably is.

[ChrisGeorge]

Nice clip Richard, thanks for posting it,

Robinson came across as a fairly cool relaxed old hippy.

I was slightly disappointed that no one in the audience challenged him on specific evidence relating to the case, ie. witness statements by Schwartz, Cox, and Lawende.

It is surprising that no one in the audience, on the basis of questions asked, seemed to have a great knowledge of the case.

Isn't that how outrageous theories continue to gain traction, that the general public's ignorance of the case is palpable, that editors and publishers are anxious to push the latest "solution" to the case, with very little discernment? After all everyone wants to know who Jack was. That's the fallout and effect of this most famous of Victorian cases.

[barnflatwyngarde]

Not sure if this has been seen or linked on thse forums but...

YouTube -

"This Hallowe'en join us as we welcome the legendary writer and director of Withnail and I, Bruce Robinson, to discuss They All Love Jack, the tale of a gripping quest to discover the identity of history’s most notorious murderer and a literary high-wire act."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIEay7Apjys

Nice clip Richard, thanks for posting it,

Robinson came across as a fairly cool relaxed old hippy.

I was slightly disappointed that no one in the audience challenged him on specific evidence relating to the case, ie. witness statements by Schwartz, Cox, and Lawende.

It is surprising that no one in the audience, on the basis of questions asked, seemed to have a great knowledge of the case.