The Annotated Sherlock Holmes. Volume I and II

by William S. Baring-Gould

Second Edition, Thrid printing.

Genres: Mystery, Classics, Reference, Literature, Fiction

824 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1967

About the author

William Stuart Baring-Gould (1913–1967) was a noted Sherlock Holmes scholar, best known as the author of the influential 1962 fictional biography, Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street: A life of the world's first consulting detective.

He was creative director of Time magazine's circulation and corporate education departments from 1937 until his death. His paternal grandfather was Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould.

Reviews

[Spudsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all things Sherlock Holmes.

This annootated set is simply amazing. I'm so impressed with it that I own TWO sets of them. That's a lot of shelf space to devote to the same book. LOL!

I started reading Sherlock Holmes stories when I was in 5th grade based on my dad suggestion. Now my dad doesn't read much fiction so for him to reccomend something is pretty rare.

Since I started reading Holmesat a fairly impressionable age I feel like I grew up with him. It's kinda strange--and yet neat at the same time.

I've read the stories over and over again since then and have always enjoyed thim.

I seem to pick up some new fact or reference in the annotations every time I read a story again.

[Mimisam713 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five stars for Sherlock Holmes, one star for the annotations. I read annotated Shakespeare as a teenager, and became a fan for life. Then I read the annotated Alice in Wonderland, and a book I had read over and over as a child became even better. So I was excited to read the annotated Sherlock Holmes, but was severely disappointed. About 90% of the footnotes are about disagreements between Sherlock Holmes ‘experts’ as to when the stories ‘really’ happened, or where, or who the clients ‘really’ were. Only about 10% of the footnotes contributed to the stories, and the rest took you completely away from them. It literally took me years to read the entire book, because I kept putting it down in disgust. I have one thing to say to all of the ‘experts’: IT’S FICTION, YOU DUMBASSES!!!

[Michael Di Tizio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding piece of scholarship on Baring-Gould's part and a clearer view into the myriad influences that Conan Doyle used to build his Holmes universe. Many references in the stores simply passed me by, but reading this version gave me a much deeper insight into the current events and culture of the Victorian world; I have a new appreciation of the sheer amount of life he pumped into his stories. No wonder why people still pick up Sherlock Holmes and want to enter that world.

[Siobhan Beeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

William S. Baring-Gould's Annotated Sherlock Holmes is the definitive collection of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Out of print now, it is my most prized possession I inherited from my mother. On a scale of 1-5, this is a 7.

[Rick Taglieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. I reread event few years. The pages are split into two columns withe relevant footnotes immediately across from the passage. Extensive essays. Lots of Sherlockania. A must for all fans of the Great Detective!

[Kent Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? I get a kick out of Holmes . . .

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent stories.

[Dwight · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for the Sherlock fan who has followed in the great detective's footsteps and become deeply interested in trifles and yet wishes to know precisely what a hansom cab looks like.

[Outlander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic !