Jack the Ripper A-Z

[Rob Clack]

I recently received my copy of the 2010 edition of this book, which I had eagerly anticipated (having never read the book before) but have to say that I am a tad disappointed, to say the least.

There are so many typos and grammatical errors that I cannot believe that there was any serious proof reading of the tome by anyone whose first language is English. Considering the standing of the authors, Begg, Fido and Skinner, I am really surprised that they allowed this book to appear in its current form with so many mistakes.

There also seem to be errors of fact. One instance will suffice, although there would appear to be a number of others.

Under the heading: Harvey, PC James 964 City (page 201):

"For reasons unknown, the City of London Police had Sussex Constabulary check...."

There was no "Sussex Constabulary" at ANY time. Sussex Police (the Force's current title) was divided into 5 separate and autonomous units in the 19th century - East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings Constabularies. Presumably it would have been the East Sussex Constabulary to which the initial enquiry about P.C. Harvey was directed, as Ashburnham (where he was born) is situated in a north-east parish of said county.

The entry mentioned immediately goes on to refer to the response received to the City of London enquiry about P.C. Harvey:

"and Portsmouth Police (sic) reported...."!

Thankfully, I obtained the book at half its RRP through Amazon otherwise I would be an even unhappier bunny!

I don't know enough about the history of the Sussex Police to make comment, but there is a document in P.C Harvey's file stating (as I read it):

The Superintendent
Sussex Constab'
Hailsham

This is the relevant part of the document


All new recruits for the City of London Police had to have check able references which is why Portsmouth Police is mentioned as well as the Borough of Brighton Police.





A detailed history of P.C Harvey was done by me and Neil Bell and appeared in 'Ripperologist' 104

Rob

[macknnc]

My Case Closed is holding up much better than my A-Z which is now partially loose leaf.

Was there a hard cover A-Z?

Yep,I've got one...copyright date is 1991, printed in London..

My copy of Cornwell's "Case Closed" is a standard paperback which I got in excellent condition from the local library's sale of non-circulating books for the grand total of .25 cents..apparently no one else wanted to read it either...

[Into The Abyss]

I recently received my copy of the 2010 edition of this book, which I had eagerly anticipated (having never read the book before) but have to say that I am a tad disappointed, to say the least.

There are so many typos and grammatical errors that I cannot believe that there was any serious proof reading of the tome by anyone whose first language is English. Considering the standing of the authors, Begg, Fido and Skinner, I am really surprised that they allowed this book to appear in its current form with so many mistakes.

There also seem to be errors of fact. One instance will suffice, although there would appear to be a number of others.

Under the heading: Harvey, PC James 964 City (page 201):

"For reasons unknown, the City of London Police had Sussex Constabulary check...."

There was no "Sussex Constabulary" at ANY time. Sussex Police (the Force's current title) was divided into 5 separate and autonomous units in the 19th century - East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings Constabularies. Presumably it would have been the East Sussex Constabulary to which the initial enquiry about P.C. Harvey was directed, as Ashburnham (where he was born) is situated in a north-east parish of said county.

The entry mentioned immediately goes on to refer to the response received to the City of London enquiry about P.C. Harvey:

"and Portsmouth Police (sic) reported...."!

Thankfully, I obtained the book at half its RRP through Amazon otherwise I would be an even unhappier bunny!

[mariab]

Waistcoat made a clever comment that other Americans won't be able to follow?!
(Waistcott's a cheapskate!)

[The Grave Maurice]

I'm about halfway through the book and have made all the corrections (pointed out by erudite posters) in the second copy that Waistcoat thinks I shouldn't be able to afford. (BTW, Robert, an American is unlikely to understand your clever comment.)

Despite those, and a handful of typos that I've come across, I think we should all acknowledge what a monumental achievement this is. Once again the Three Wise Men have produced a book full of fascinating information that will be a standard source for quite some time.

[mariab]

That totally explains it.
(Ouch, someone's gonna punish me at the Whitechapel conference! Make me look ugly on the videotape? Na, how am I doing for a total newbie?)

[Tom_Wescott]

Oh, I forgot to mention I was quoting Jeff Leahy.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[mariab]

OK, that was really of bad taste now.

[Tom_Wescott]

Your articles are definitely not a waste of space, even if they take up much valuable Examiner space!!)

I'm convinced that Jack the Ripper killed all those women in 1888 so that 120 years later I could have a fun hobby. It pays to think positive.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[mariab]

Hey, I got the best of all: Tom Wasteofspace! (Just kidding, Tom. Your articles are definitely not a waste of space, even if they take up much valuable Examiner space!!)

[Robert]

Tom Waistcoat? Wacky guy, wacky clothes.

[mariab]

Tom Eastwoott it is then. (Hmfprrrr!) (bang bang bang...) (Insert horse voice and Ennio Morricone music, with someone whistling off-key.)
Now to write a “Dear Boss“ letter to my Chicago boss, just for jolly. (He messed up big time, which is a lot of jolly, if I might permit myself a little schadenfreude... ha ha.)

[Tom_Wescott]

Yeah, yeah, check out Wescott attempting a low profile – like we'd ever buy it. I like Westcott best – a dude from the West Coast? Much cooler than the Midwest at any rate. Maybe he surfs too?

That's me, the Wild, Wild Westcott.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[mariab]

Hi Rob, I only surf the internet too nowdays, as it's totally flat in France, plus I work on Saturdays like it were a Monday. Tomorrow I was hoping to go to the open swimming pool after work, if it doesn't rain (which it very much looks like).
And by the by, both Aldgate maps (from 1873 and from 1894) have arrived (and thank you SO very much for all the tips), but no time to even peruse them yet.
Apart from this, my Chicago boss managed to create a diplomatic incident with Italy by not listening to me, and guess who's gonna try to save the day next week. Man, do I enjoy ending up being right! Dear boss, eat this – ha ha! ( insert evil laugh in deep voice here).

[Rob Clack]

Yeah, yeah, check out Wescott attempting a low profile – like we'd ever buy it. I like Westcott best – a dude from the West Coast? Much cooler than the Midwest at any rate. Maybe he surfs too?

I only surf the Internet

Rob