The Complete History of Jack the Ripper

[Mike Covell]

A Thread for discussion, reviews and questions on The Complete History of Jack the Ripper, Philip Sugden.

[Mike Covell]

Here is a link for anyone wishing to purchase this book,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-History-Jack-Ripper/dp/1841193976/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203343015&sr=8-2

regards Mike

[denn034]

Great Book

I've got a second edition of the book and have read it. This book deserves all the praise it gets. It's great!

[Blackkat]

I have to say it's one of my favorites too.

[Cap'n Jack]

How can you write a complete history of Jack the Ripper when the history is so incomplete?
I, and others, are finding newspaper reports on a daily basis which is sending stuff like the 'Complete History' into the ether as probably the most incomplete history of anything that was ever written.
History is not dead, it did not stop when this book was published, and it still remains very incomplete.

[Tom_Wescott]

True, very true. But still it's a good read.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[dougie]

my award for the best book ive ever read goes to........the autobiography of a supertramp...by the welsh poet w.h.davies....first published 1908,reprinted 1917,1920,1922,1923,1924, 1926 (4 times) 1927(twice) 1928, 1929(twice),,,1930,1931,1932,1933,1936, 1937,1938, 1942, 1943,1944(twivce) 1945,1947,1948,1949,1950, 1952,...1955,1964,1968,1975,1977,......ill stop there .....the preface by george bernard shaw alone is worth the book price, marvelous, a quality of writing i havent seen again,sincere ,descriptive ,heartwarming,tragic true story of the poets life as a tramp in america and britain a century ago......if you aint read it,you dont know what youve missed...and no im not trying to sell anything...the dog eared copy i have i wouldnt swap for druitts diary april-dec1888.

[dougie]

my apologies i didnr read (i never do) the opening couple of posts....thought the thread was about books in general ho hum

[Doctor X]

I had a passing familiarity with the case never researched it much--other than wandering around the area on a few tours--since I had no idea what was "good" and what was "bad." In a discussion a friend highly recommended Sugden's work as "authorative." I am now re-reading it. Searching for background I found this forum.

So . . . any criticism? Anything Sugden got wrong or overlooked?

Thanks,

--J.D.

[Mike Covell]

I loved the book and re-read it again only recently, there is a lot in there to get through but it's well worth the read.

[Doctor X]

Thanks! Obviously I am new HERE, but any other recommendations?

--J.D.

[The Good Michael]

Cap'n Jack of the good ship Canis Lupus Anglus makes a good point about the title of the book. I should think that a book titled 'The Complete Jack the Ripper thus far, and as I View the Case' makes more sense. Alternatively, an author using the word 'complete' should have a website with free update downloads as new information, balderdash or not is unearthed. That way the work remains fairly complete.

On second thought 'Jack the Ripper, One Man's Interpretations' may be the most appropriate title. I hate the use of 'complete' and won't buy a book that dares to use it in it's title.

Mike

[Dan Norder]

Hi Mike,

I hate the use of 'complete' and won't buy a book that dares to use it in it's title.

Then you missed out on one of the best books in the field.

[jason_c]

I had a passing familiarity with the case never researched it much--other than wandering around the area on a few tours--since I had no idea what was "good" and what was "bad." In a discussion a friend highly recommended Sugden's work as "authorative." I am now re-reading it. Searching for background I found this forum.

So . . . any criticism? Anything Sugden got wrong or overlooked?

Thanks,

--J.D.

The only criticism I have is Sugden's pro Abberline stance. His conclusions about Abberline may well be correct, but he puts too much faith in our Inspector in my opinion.

[gizmo]

"Sugden's pro Abberline stance"

Imagine all the experts, between 1888 and now ,all sitting in a meeting room discussing the case. Who would you tend to listen to the most? I for one. would be most interested in what F.G. Abberline had to say.