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52nd out of 314 books
—
435 voters
The Complete Jack the Ripper
Discover the theories and facts surrounding the Whitechapel murders in David Rumbelow's "The Complete Jack the Ripper"...It is 1888 in London's Whitechapel district, where one by one a group of prostitutes are brutally murdered. Opium smoking Inspector Fred Abberline is called upon to investigate these horrific murders and through his visions track down and trap Jack the R...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
April 1st 2009
by Penguin Books, Limited (UK)
(first published September 1975)
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Rating Clarification: 3.5 Stars
I originally rated this 4 stars last night after finishing it, but after a night's sleep, I lowered it to 3.5 stars. Not a big difference, but upon reflection, I think that one of the reasons I enjoyed Rumbelow's book was also, weirdly enough, why I lowered my rating. Here's why: Rumbelow isn't a writer by profession. He was actually a City of London policeman for several years before becoming a writer. His approach to Jack was from a different perspective, and I e...more
I originally rated this 4 stars last night after finishing it, but after a night's sleep, I lowered it to 3.5 stars. Not a big difference, but upon reflection, I think that one of the reasons I enjoyed Rumbelow's book was also, weirdly enough, why I lowered my rating. Here's why: Rumbelow isn't a writer by profession. He was actually a City of London policeman for several years before becoming a writer. His approach to Jack was from a different perspective, and I e...more
This book is not as good as Philip Sugden's wonderful The Complete History of Jack the Ripper. It was written in the 1970s and is dated as a result; much new information has come to light since then. It also has some inaccuracies, for example repeating the old fable of Mary Kelly's pregnancy. But it was still a worthwhile read for its detail. I particularly enjoyed the section on the various improbable suspects people suggested, something which was missing from Sugden's book. This is a worthy ad...more
The last time I read this unsensational guide to Jack the Ripper I was a, no doubt quite morbid, teenager. Reading it as a more well rounded adult (one hopes anyway), I have to say that it holds up really well. Originally published in 1975, former police officer Rumbelow sifts his way through the evidence in a way that is dispassionate and avoids outlandish theories (which makes it somewhat odd that the introduction to my edition is by Colin Wilson, a man always fond of outlandish theories. But...more
The first of the RIpper books that I ever read, and it made me a lifelong -well, person of interest. I'm not a fan of reading serial killer books, but historical crimes, especially unsolved ones, interest me greatly and this book drew me in hook line and sinker.
Parts of the writing are a bit stiff and unemotional; however I'm not sure how that could change being that it is recounting the facts and only the facts as far as the author can tell. It is a great read, with excellent theories and pres...more
Parts of the writing are a bit stiff and unemotional; however I'm not sure how that could change being that it is recounting the facts and only the facts as far as the author can tell. It is a great read, with excellent theories and pres...more
Since going on a Jack the Ripper walking tour in Whitechapel earlier this year (or maybe even before that), I've wanted to study up a bit on the elusive killer.
This was the first book that I read to do so.
This seems to have been a good one to start with. It gives a comprehensive timeline of the murders (complete with plenty of dates, facts, details), discusses the effect that ol' Jack has had on popular culture, and gives details on later similar killers.
All in all, a good history and examinati...more
This was the first book that I read to do so.
This seems to have been a good one to start with. It gives a comprehensive timeline of the murders (complete with plenty of dates, facts, details), discusses the effect that ol' Jack has had on popular culture, and gives details on later similar killers.
All in all, a good history and examinati...more
I must begin by saying that I wasn't sure I really wanted to read this book. I'm not into serial killings or such, but had a friend that just wouldn't take no for an answer. The beginning was a little tough as I knew little to nothing about Jack the Ripper or the streets of London where his killings took place.
What I was impressed with, was the journey that the author takes you on. He begins by setting the stage and describing what London, and more specifically, Whitechapel was like just before...more
What I was impressed with, was the journey that the author takes you on. He begins by setting the stage and describing what London, and more specifically, Whitechapel was like just before...more
I'm not really big into true crime the way that my mother is. She'll devour the stuff, whether the written word, a news report, or one of the many true crime shows on cable. I kinda pick at it here and there--I'll watch the shows but not so much with the books. But when this tome, said to be one of the most comprehensive on Jack the Ripper, came to my notice, I decided to give it a whirl. The results were quite impressive.
Jack the Ripper is one of those cases that, despite the fact that there ha...more
Jack the Ripper is one of those cases that, despite the fact that there ha...more
A fantastic, but hard to read book. With so many facts, figures, names and dates it is a well padded book with Rumbelow not pointing the finger at anyone inparticular and saying 'I think he/she/it was the Ripper', which I have read in another Ripper book by a different author.
I especially enjoyed the 'Beyond the Grave' section of the book, in which Rumbelow goes into great detail of Ripper style murders which were taking place worldwide.
A great read, but not one to take to bed, especially when s...more
I especially enjoyed the 'Beyond the Grave' section of the book, in which Rumbelow goes into great detail of Ripper style murders which were taking place worldwide.
A great read, but not one to take to bed, especially when s...more
Aug 28, 2008
D.M.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
true crime enthusiasts and those interested in Victorian life.
The missus picked up this revised edition on her trip to London last year, when she went on the 'Ripper Walk' hosted by the authour himself! I already owned a copy of the original hardcover, and she had to point out to me that not only was this one updated and revised, but that it was signed by Rumbelow to me. How much do I love her?
This is, simply, the best, most authoritative and readable book I've come across about Jack the Ripper. Rumbelow is THE authourity on the subject, and his contributi...more
This is, simply, the best, most authoritative and readable book I've come across about Jack the Ripper. Rumbelow is THE authourity on the subject, and his contributi...more
The best book on the mystery of the Whitechapel murders. Every crime scene is gone over thoroughly and all suspects are profiled in detail. The book offers no theory on who the killer was, but no book that I've read so far offers any "smoking gun" evidence on the identity of Jack the Ripper. This one comes close and the reader is left with the task of figuring out who the culprit was.
I found the book to be a little tedious and dry, probably because it was written by a former police officer. I was also quite shocked and appalled by the graphic photograph (who knew any survived from that time?) and sketches of the murders. If you just want the facts of this intriguing case, this is the book for you.
Although this book was stuffed with information, and extremely interesting in parts, I found myself losing interest. I enjoyed learning more about the victims, and the conditions that the people of whitechapel were inhabiting. It painted such an awful atmosphere; perfect for murder. However, there was a lot of rambling in the book, and contained mundane information that even the most die-hard amateur ripperologists would be bored with. I recommend the first 5 chapters, after that be prepared to...more
I had the pleasure of having Donald Rumbelow as my guide on 2 occasions for the Jack the Ripper London Walk. He is, in my opinion, THE authority on the case. This book is a great source for information and an entertaining read.
Went on a walking tour in London led by the author of this book. It was a very enjoyable tour, the author is very knowledgeable and a good story-teller... looking forward to reading this.
Overly convoluted in my opinion, but if you're looking for a comprehensive, (mostly) well sourced historical account of The Ripper, this will certainly appeal.
By far and away the best book currently in print regarding the Ripper murders. If you pick this up expecting the solution to the murders then put the book back down again it doesn't provide it. What it does do and skilfully at that is to take the reader through all of the evidence, from a general background of the Eastend, to the nights of the murders and the blunders made by the various police forces. Finally it turns to each of the suspects and examines them in the likelihood of what is known...more
May 03, 2012
Lee Perry
added it
I am NOT reading this book....what is it with this site that you select one book and it selects something different!!. Sort it out Goodreads
This was an interesting read/take on the topic of Jack the Ripper. No conclusions were drawn, but plenty left to think about when finished.
Stomach-turning. Can't read it again because it was too horrifying, but still well-written despite the grisly material he had to work with.
he is a great tour guide...walking tour of Jack the Ripper murders in London..but he is not a good writer...nice guy, however!!
An interesting Ripper theory told with great accuracy of detail, this book was well written. A definite good read.
I relied on this book heavily in researching WHITECHAPEL: THE FINAL STAND OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. I'm in Don's debt.
Any one who has been on a tour with Donald will know he is a source of endless knowledge on this subject.
While Rumbelow presents the different obscure rumours that surround Jack's stories he doesn't speculate with them too much. He just shows facts as they are. I was also surprised how much details have been able to find out about the people involved. Would recommend this to everyone who want a comprehensive case-book about the famous murders but not to those who just need to have an introduction. As I said, the book includes lots of details. Warning should also be in order : couple of mortuary pho...more
Aug 06, 2011
Rosanne
added it
Took the Jack the Ripper tour with the author as the guide. Creepy and fascinating.
Aug 31, 2009
Tiffany
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
detectives, criminologists, historians, Anglophiles, mystery buffs
Wow, he covers everything in this book! There are photos, sketches, theories, letters, everything to make you really want to know--Who was Jack the Ripper? I read this book shortly before moving to London, and then I felt quite knowledgable whilst passing the Jack The Ripper evening tours through Whitechapel. To read it and then be IN the places where it all happened hits close to home. You hear so much about the notion of Jack the Ripper, but there are the pictures in the book and the eerie bit...more
An easy fast read...great if you love the subject as I do.
Although I don't agree with some of the suppositions behind the "sexualized" nature of the Ripper's motives (the book was written in the 70's, and I'm forgiving it for its poor suppositions based on its age - we all know that "sex crimes" have more to do with power and control than sexual urges), this is a fascinating and detailed look at the context surrounding the Ripper murders. There's quite a bit of history included about life for the lower classes in Victorian East End London.
this book was crazy. it was filled with facts and suspicion and suspects and it was irritating cos it still doesn't answer the question of who was jack the ripper. some parts were really gruesome and the descriptions of the killings were fully materialized in my head with the photographs they had in the middle of the book. i think the part that really shook me was that people still try to imitate jack the ripper in current times. it's sick!
I had a difficult time with this book. I had to quit about 3/4 the way through.
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Jul 28, 2012 10:24pm
Jul 29, 2012 09:03am