Completely new: can you point me in the right direction?

[halomanuk]

Absolutely David,it's amazing how so many of the Ripper experts see things differently as we all do on here.
Frustrating and interesting at the same time !!

[DVV]

Paid $30 for the Evans & Rumbelow but it's worth it.

Roy

Indeed, Roy !
But I got it at 10,06 euros.
I'm ashamed.

Amitiés,
David

[babybird67]

i just got a bargain on ebay

99p for a copy of The Crimes of Jack the Ripper, Paul Roland!

Delivered yesterday...already half way through. I like the wealth of illustrations/pictures and the references to contemporary sources. (He also acknowledges the help of Casebook)

[Phil Carter]

Hello all,

Letters from Hell is fast becoming a favourite of mine I must admit.

best wishes

Phil

[Jdombrowski89]

Besides Sugden's book, Begg's "The Facts", "Jack the Ripper: Scotland Yard Investigates" by Stewart P. Evans and Donald Rumbelow is also a very high reccomendation, in my opinion.

Regards,
Justin

[Tom_Wescott]

Lot of greating reading going on here! Let's not forget 'The Man Who Hunted Jack the Ripper' by Evans and Nick Connell. If you don't have that, put it next on your list. The books I reference most often are Sugden, Begg's 'The Facts', everything with Stewart Evans' name on it, occassionally the 1996 edition of A-Z (although with informed caution), and the king Ripper book of them all....'Ultimate'. Of all of these, I probably reference Sugden the least. Begg's 'The Definitive History' should also be on your stack.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Toofew]

Lot of greating reading going on here! Let's not forget 'The Man Who Hunted Jack the Ripper' by Evans and Nick Connell. If you don't have that, put it next on your list. The books I reference most often are Sugden, Begg's 'The Facts', everything with Stewart Evans' name on it, occassionally the 1996 edition of A-Z (although with informed caution), and the king Ripper book of them all....'Ultimate'. Of all of these, I probably reference Sugden the least. Begg's 'The Definitive History' should also be on your stack.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

Stewart or Tom, what is the latest revision of Ultimate? Mine is several years old.

Be good,

Billy

P.S. Stewart, very happy to see you still participating.

[DVV]

Hi Billy, and welcome,

no matter...the Ultimate (Sourcebook or Companion - ie: British or American edition) is the Ultimate.
It's "unrevisionable" and will ever be the Bible.

1: Ultimate
2: Begg "the facts" or/and Sugden
3: Evans/Rumbelow : Scotland yard Investigates
4: Clack/ Hutchinson: the London of JtR
5: Evans/Skinner: Letters from Hell

The A/Z is useful, of course, but also a bit deceiving at times...

Amitiés,
David

[Craig]

Hello all, Im also new to the site and in need of advice as to which books offer a good fact based starting point for any newbie to the whitechapel murders. From podcasts to internet reading and now this site I think its about time I got stuck into the many books out there on the case. I see many of you suggest sugden and I have indeed added it to the shopping list as waterstones never had it. The only reading material I have here is 'The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper' Jakubowski and Braund, so thats where I start, has to be somewhere I guess.

[Hunter]

Hi Craig,

The book you have is good, but it has quite alot of suspect stuff. I would concentrate on evidence based books before giving any suspects much credence because of bias and it can be confusing. You can't go wrong with Sugden's "The Complete JTR". Its my bible as far as this case goes. The A to Z is also good and if you want something more current "The Ultimate" is a good choice.

Good luck and Welcome.

[Craig]

Many thanks Hunter for the advice. Will definately look into the Ultimate book. I can totally see from the contents that the suspect stuff provide the bulk of this book but dont worry as a newbie I have a completely open mind and will take all suspects with a pinch of salt until I build my own knowledge of the case. Its really just something to give me an introduction and get me started, and a quick introduction to some of the ripperologists mentioned and their opinions.

Thanks!

[robhouse]

I agree re: Sugden... it is the best over all book on the case. (Although I disagree with his take on Kozminski). Scotland Yard Investigates is also a good book, with great photos. And if you are really serious, get the Ultimate, since it has the original source documents.

Rob H

[DVV]

Sugden is excellent but Begg The Facts is perhaps more detailed, with extensive notes and a good bibliography - which Sugden lacks.

Amitiés,
David

[Tom_Wescott]

Craig,

I agree with the others about how great Sugden is, etc. But I'm going to change my normal answer to this question and suggest you get all the suspect books you can get your hands on and read them, while not 'marrying' any of the ideas. The suspect stuff is fun only once, when you're new, so have fun with the books. Your general case knowledge will grow during the process, allowing you to understand and appreciate the more scholarly volumes.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Craig]

Many thanks Rob, DVV and Tom!

Craig