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The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Companion
A reference to one of the great unsolved murder sprees in history examines the events in London in the 1880s when a string of prostitute murders paralyzed the country and shocked the world.
692 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 6, 2015
If you want access to all the correspondence/reporting/available case files of the Ripper killings then you are likely to enjoy this 700 page behemoth of a book.
The problem is that much of what is provided is repetitive to the point of bordering on tedious.
This is not light reading...and it's certainly not enjoyable and probably why it has taken me the better part of 3 weeks to get through it. That said, I did learn more about the Ripper killings.
Some tidbits:
1. There is very little agreement at the time and still remains controversy today regarding which victims were actually killed by Jack.
2. At the time, many people believed the killer to be a lunatic because who else could commit such atrocities. The problem is we now know that serial killers often blend in and don't appear outwardly disturbed.
3. It was interesting to see how many people wanted to blame the killings on a foreigner, which I think is not unusual even today, but that is probably not the case. It is very likely that Jack lived among them and was one of them.
4. Others felt that Jack was making a statement against prostitution or exacting revenge for contracting some disease from a whore. And it's certainly possible. It's just as likely, though, that he targeted prostitutes because they were easy victims. One inspector pointed out, "What makes it so easy for him is that the women lead him, of their own free will, to wait for his chancel they make the chance for him. And then they are so miserable and so hopeless, so utterly lost to all that makes a person want to live, that for the sake of fourpence, enough to get drunk on, they will go in any man's company, and run the risk that it is not him." Basically, they were easy prey.
5. Still others blamed secret political organizations and terrorists. A few entertained the possibility that the killer was a woman.
6. Whatever the case, local police departments and Scotland Yard were inundated with accusations and even confessions from the public at large. Sifting through all the evidence and supposed leads was a monumental task.
7. I think what was particularly disturbing to many besides the heinous nature of the murders themselves was the fact that many of the crimes seemingly took place out in the open. Victims were often found still warm on a policeman's beat in areas where foot traffic was not uncommon.
Had this book been better organized (or differently organized) and had the author seen fit to exclude redundant material, I would have enjoyed this more. I would also have appreciated a summary of each victim as a point of reference. After a while it becomes hard to keep all the victims and the supposed theories around their deaths straight. There is a very short appendix in the back which chronicles events, but I wanted/needed more.
The problem is that much of what is provided is repetitive to the point of bordering on tedious.
This is not light reading...and it's certainly not enjoyable and probably why it has taken me the better part of 3 weeks to get through it. That said, I did learn more about the Ripper killings.
Some tidbits:
1. There is very little agreement at the time and still remains controversy today regarding which victims were actually killed by Jack.
2. At the time, many people believed the killer to be a lunatic because who else could commit such atrocities. The problem is we now know that serial killers often blend in and don't appear outwardly disturbed.
3. It was interesting to see how many people wanted to blame the killings on a foreigner, which I think is not unusual even today, but that is probably not the case. It is very likely that Jack lived among them and was one of them.
4. Others felt that Jack was making a statement against prostitution or exacting revenge for contracting some disease from a whore. And it's certainly possible. It's just as likely, though, that he targeted prostitutes because they were easy victims. One inspector pointed out, "What makes it so easy for him is that the women lead him, of their own free will, to wait for his chancel they make the chance for him. And then they are so miserable and so hopeless, so utterly lost to all that makes a person want to live, that for the sake of fourpence, enough to get drunk on, they will go in any man's company, and run the risk that it is not him." Basically, they were easy prey.
5. Still others blamed secret political organizations and terrorists. A few entertained the possibility that the killer was a woman.
6. Whatever the case, local police departments and Scotland Yard were inundated with accusations and even confessions from the public at large. Sifting through all the evidence and supposed leads was a monumental task.
7. I think what was particularly disturbing to many besides the heinous nature of the murders themselves was the fact that many of the crimes seemingly took place out in the open. Victims were often found still warm on a policeman's beat in areas where foot traffic was not uncommon.
Had this book been better organized (or differently organized) and had the author seen fit to exclude redundant material, I would have enjoyed this more. I would also have appreciated a summary of each victim as a point of reference. After a while it becomes hard to keep all the victims and the supposed theories around their deaths straight. There is a very short appendix in the back which chronicles events, but I wanted/needed more.
May 24, 2011
As with the other two, I relied on this book heavily in researching WHITECHAPEL: THE FINAL STAND OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. I'm in Stewart's debt.
February 25, 2019
So many of the casefiles from Scotland Yard and the Met have vanished over the years. I like this book because it compiles what is available as well as newspaper reports from the time. So many myths and misinformation have occurred over the years. So it is great to see the source documents from the actual times. This book is probably as complete as you can get after all this time and is a nice comprehensive sourcebook for those who are fascinated by the subject
July 1, 2016
Need details about Jack the Ripper? Find 'em here.
July 22, 2024
This is a great reference book concerning the Whitechapel murders. It does not pretend to know who Jack the Ripper was, but it shows many casefiles from the day, eye witness accounts and journalist reports. Others that were involved in some way - even minor suspects.
There is no favourite suspect among the two authors, just lots of casefiles and newspaper reports and letters, etc. If you wanted to look up a suspect or a witness; the index will tell you where to go. In this sense the book is a gem for someone wanting to write their own material.
I think it is an excellent book for what it is intended to do: Be a source for someone wanting to study the Whitechapel murders more deeply than usual. You will not learn who the ripper is. But you'll end up with a lot of suspects. Perhaps more than you expected. Well worth having on your bookshelf and something you will reference again, and again.
There is no favourite suspect among the two authors, just lots of casefiles and newspaper reports and letters, etc. If you wanted to look up a suspect or a witness; the index will tell you where to go. In this sense the book is a gem for someone wanting to write their own material.
I think it is an excellent book for what it is intended to do: Be a source for someone wanting to study the Whitechapel murders more deeply than usual. You will not learn who the ripper is. But you'll end up with a lot of suspects. Perhaps more than you expected. Well worth having on your bookshelf and something you will reference again, and again.
July 6, 2020
The definitive case study of The Ripper. A must-have compendium, if this sort of grisly history is up your alley.
A qualification is needed however....it is not an easy read, or even entertaining. It is dark history that I needed to take breaks from but recently and honestly, The Alienist spurred my motivation to finish. It is tiring reading autopsy reports and antiquated press reports but nonetheless definitive.
Rumored to be required reading for Scotland Yard, the reader takes on a different approach to the darkness out there, and I commend those souls who fight it, research it and defeat it.
A qualification is needed however....it is not an easy read, or even entertaining. It is dark history that I needed to take breaks from but recently and honestly, The Alienist spurred my motivation to finish. It is tiring reading autopsy reports and antiquated press reports but nonetheless definitive.
Rumored to be required reading for Scotland Yard, the reader takes on a different approach to the darkness out there, and I commend those souls who fight it, research it and defeat it.
November 2, 2019
Stewart P. Evansin ja Keith Skinnerin upea, kuvitettu encyclopedia Viiltäjä-Jackista kuuluu jokaisen ripperologistin kirjahyllyyn. Täydellisten faktapaketin lisäksi teos pitää sisällään upean kuvituksen piirroksia, grafiikkaa ja valokuvia.
Soveltuu erityisen hyvin luettavaksi The Complete Jack the Ripper A-Z:n kanssa.
https://anttisorri.wordpress.com/2019...
Soveltuu erityisen hyvin luettavaksi The Complete Jack the Ripper A-Z:n kanssa.
https://anttisorri.wordpress.com/2019...
September 25, 2019
This is easily my favorite book about Jack the Ripper. It's a huge, unwieldy, dense door stop of a book, but it will also give you about as complete a view of the crimes as you're able to find. I'll admit that it can get a bit tedious at spots but if you're really fascinated by the case and want to learn as much about it as possible, this is an excellent resource.
February 9, 2019
I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting, but this was really insightful and detailed. Incredibly interesting, but slow.
January 1, 2024
Absolutely essential for your ripper library
June 22, 2024
Excellent book. Read the paperback when it first came out. It includes all the case information for you to make your own decisions about the investigation.
January 12, 2026
Wonderful book, True story and has photos so beware, they are not pretty.
November 4, 2011
It is indeed rarest of rare to find a book that is perfectly true in terms of its name, and this book falls under that "category" (are there any other books in that class?). It is truly ultimate as a source-book for the "Jack the Ripper" killing that terrorised London and keeps on horrifying us after all these years. Every year we come across new "theories" propounded either by the Ripperologists, or by rank amateurs trying to cash on our queries. But this book remains true and authentic. If at any point in my life I consider myself qualified enough to uplift myself to the rank of a Ripperologist rather than being the curious folk (as at present), I will make a thorough study of everything in this book. Until then, I can merely recommend: "please get hold of a copy of this book by any means".
August 25, 2012
For my money, the best book on the case yet put together. First off, it's massive. Second off, it contains only the police files with no extraneous "theories" that have been put together over a century after the events. First it contains some set-up of the times: records of labor riots, gang activity, etc. Following, we get into the Whitechapel Murders - not just the "canonical five" (Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Kelly) but the 10+ disputed cases as well. Last is a round-up of the theories the police were throwing around. There's some interesting coincidences in the files, too.
August 6, 2021
I have watched several documentaries on Jack the Ripper which where not all convincing. This non fiction material is a well written and researched book about the Whitechapel murders in 1888. There is a chronological description of the events beginning with the first victim who died in the East end of London. It helped me to have a better understanding about what the authorities did back end and why the perpetrator managed to get away with murder so easily.
I recommend it to people who would be interested like me to know more about that specific serial killer.
I recommend it to people who would be interested like me to know more about that specific serial killer.
February 18, 2013
The book clears up a few misconceptions regarding the evidence surrounding the murders and stereotypes of Victorian England. It is a great reference for debating whether the Ripper took five victims or more.
I used this book for research on a novel I am currently writing, and it proved to be very helpful. Not to mention it is just a fascinating compilation of everything related to the case.
I used this book for research on a novel I am currently writing, and it proved to be very helpful. Not to mention it is just a fascinating compilation of everything related to the case.
September 12, 2014
It is definitely an encyclopedia. Not for those with just a passing interest in Jack the Ripper. Great use of source materials ... Excellent pictures. Perfect for those wanting to do research on Jack the Ripper.
Read
February 24, 2007interesting
June 3, 2009
This was enjoyable.
June 19, 2016
Another exceptionally detailed encyclopaedia of Ripper facts, reports, police documents and photographs. Along with Sugden this is essential textbook reading.
October 25, 2011
Huge book of primary source material including newspaper articles, police reports and court proceedings.
Surprisingly atmospheric and evocative.
Surprisingly atmospheric and evocative.
September 4, 2016
Own hardbound edition…will review later.
July 10, 2014
Not so ultimate.
January 20, 2016
A good solid resource for digging into the Ripper phenomenon.
Read
May 17, 2020Well researched, sirs! I stand in awe! Also, best Valentine's gift ever!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews