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Product Description
Product Description
A classic literary character, Sherlock Holmes has fascinated readers for decades –– from his repartee with Dr. Watson and his unparalleled powers of deduction to the settings, themes, and villains of the stories. Now, this friendly guide offers a clear introduction to this beloved figure and his author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, presenting new insight into the detective stories and crime scene analysis that have has made Sherlock Holmes famous.
Inside you′ll find easy–to–understand yet thorough information on the characters, recurring themes, and locations, and social context of the Sherlock Holmes stories, the relationship of these stories to literature, and the forensics and detective work they feature. You′ll also learn about the life of the author.
- Better understand and enjoy this influential literary character with this plain–English guide.
- Gain insight on these classic Doyle tales –– from the classic Hound of the Baskervilles to the lesser–known short stories to Holmes stories written by other mystery writers.
- Explore the appearance of Sherlock Holmes on film, TV, and stage.
- Examine Holmes today –– from the ever–expanding network of fans worldwide to story locations that fans can visit.
It′s elementary! Sherlock Holmes For Dummies is an indispensable guide for students and fans alike!
From the Back Cover
Your comprehensive guide to this important literary figure and his author
It′s elementary! Sherlock Holmes is a classic character who has fascinated readers for decades, and now this indispensable guide explores the enduring detective′s stories like never before. Discover the rich characters, recurring themes, and social context of Arthur Conan Doyle′s tales; the influence of Holmes on literature and pop culture; and why his stories still offer endless and fascinating new discoveries to readers.
See where it all began — meet Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the man who created the world′s greatest detective, and learn about Victorian London, where the Holmes stories take place
Gain new insight into Doyle′s tales — from the classic Hound of the Baskervilles to the lesser–known short stories, get a closer look at the forensics and detective work that made Sherlock Holmes famous
Get to know the characters — discover why Holmes and Watson are such beloved characters, and meet other characters such as cops, bad guys, victims, and damsels in distress
Experience Holmes today — from the ever–expanding network of worldwide fans to story locations that fans can visit, discover how the character continues to resonate with so many devoted followers
"Move over, Arthur Conan Doyle. Make room for Steve Doyle, whose handy Sherlock Holmes For Dummies will constitute addictive reading for Holmes fans and novices alike. Doyle has merrily put together a compendium of every sort of information regarding The Great Detective, from animal, vegetable, mineral, comical, tragical, and geographical. He even recommends ten Holmes books no aficionado should be without — but make that eleven. Sherlock Holmes For Dummies is essential reading." – Nicholas Meyer Author, The Seven–Per–Cent Solution
Open the book and find:
A list of all Sherlock Holmes short stories and novels
A detailed picture of Britain during Holmes′s time
In–depth analysis of Holmes and Watson as characters
Detailed coverage of the four novels in the Sherlockian canon
Holmes portrayals in television, movies, onstage, and in fan fiction
The most memorable quotes of Holmes
Active Sherlockian societies in the United States
Learn to
Identify key themes, settings, and characters
See the influence of Holmes stories and their impact on literature, mystery writing, and detective work
Discover Holmes through his contemporary fan following, and stage and screen adaptations
Appreciate the literary genius of the Sherlock Holmes canon
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Customer Reviews
The range of subjects has expanded since 1991, and now we have "Sherlock Holmes for Dummies" by Steven Doyle and David A Crowder. Mr Doyle, publisher of "The Baker Street Journal", is a major player in our Great Game. Mr Crowder is "the author or co-author of several For Dummies titles"; his brief was, presumably, to ensure that the product adhered to the house style.
The book is full of information - mostly accurate, all enthusiastically presented - about Holmes, Watson and Conan Doyle, their world and the characters that inhabit it, dramatic adaptations, Sherlockian devotees, and the rest of the extraordinary phenomenon that we delight in.
Perhaps too much is made of the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 239 Baker Street, whose owners appear to have fed Mr Doyle some dubious information. The "221B" on the door is not the address: it's permitted only because the proprietors registered a company called 221B. And it was they who put a blue plaque on the front of the house, in imitation of the real commemorative plaques erected by English Heritage. That's a minor matter. The museum exists and is popular.
"Sherlock Holmes for Dummies" is entertaining and informative, the product of a genuine and deep affection for its subject. The one really disappointing aspect of the book is that it's aimed entirely at the American reader. Only one non-American Holmes society is mentioned: the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, which gets just one page compared to the seven devoted to the Baker Street Irregulars - "the premier Holmes society in the world", we're told - and its scions. A twelve-page appendix lists only American societies. Nothing there for readers in the many countries outside the USA where the Dummies guides are distributed.
This is the most comprehensive single volume compendium of Sherlock Holmes information I have seen. I have been Sherlock Holmes devotee for over 50 years since my cousin gave me "The Complete Sherlock Holmes" when I was 13. I have and have read a number of books about Sherlock Holmes and this is the best and most compete and most readable single volumne of them all. I first came accross the book on the shelf of a book store but it was the Kindle edition that I bought. The book is intended to be a reference that one dips into at various points and not intended to be read in a linear fashion (although I read it that way). It can be difficult for an e-book to have the appropriate navigation for such a book but this Kindle version does and does it well.
The authors do an excellent job describing life in the Victorian and post Victorian era as well the characters and the role they play in the stories. For example his explanation of the role of the pageboys (Billy) and the urchins (The Baker Street Irregulars especially their initial leader Wiggins and the subsequent leader Simpson). I was surprised that the role of the messengers was overlooked, especially that of Cuthbertson in the Hound of the Baskervilles.
The authors also do a superb job describing the relationship to other detective stories of the period and the infulence that Holmes had on others expecially my favorites, Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey, Chesterson's Father Brown and Chirstie's Hercule Poirot. Their cataloging of the stage, screen, radio and television versions of the Holmes stories is the best summary that I have seen.
I recommend this book to both Sherlock Holmes neophytes and veterans.
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