Jack the Ripper: The Definitive History

Rating:
Summary: In a word: Definative
Review: From one of the most respected authors on the issue of the Whitechapel Murders, Paul Begg's second solo [attempt to solve] the mystery of Jack the Ripper avoids the mere endless recital of established facts, forays into wild speculation, and terse, musty retelling of a somewhat-worn tale. 'Jack the Ripper: The Definative History' is something far more fascinating and insightful than the musty tomes we've become accustomed to.

Philip Sugden and other respected authors (Begg included) have previously offered solid, factually correct, and meticulous accounts of the [killing] of five prostitute during the Autumn of 1888; however, Begg is the first to take a step back from those few months of Jack the Ripper's rampage, and by doing frees himself to explore the wider social, historical, and political causes, conditions, and impacts of the crimes. While every shred of information is given equal precedence in 'Jack the Ripper: A Definitive History', Begg takes greater care in preserving the overall picture of the era, woven throughout the wonderfully written narrative of history's most notorious 'whodunnit?'; the result of which is ultimately a greater understanding of the crimes for both novices to the case and seasoned 'Ripperologists'. Begg effortlessly maintains a smooth flow in his writing, and though fusing both the specifics of the crimes with a broader investigation into the general time of the murders, the balance between these two elements remains harmonious.

Sugden's 'The Complete History of Jack the Ripper' remains the top authority on every fact and canard of the case, however readers will walk away from 'Jack the Ripper: The Definitive History' with a far greater respect for one of London's bloodiest chapters in history. Begg has again raised the standard for authors on the topic of modern 'Ripperology'!

Rating:
Summary: Essential for the Ripperologist Inside Us All
Review: Jack the Ripper (Letters From Hell), by co-authors Stewart P. Evans and Keith Skinner, is exactly what it purports to be in the subtitle. It is a discussion of all the letters sent by people purporting to be Jack the Ripper to the newspapers, police and assorted individuals followed by a section printing all of the letters in the police files (there is little variety in the letters themselves showing the lack of imagination shown by most of the copy cat letter writers and this could prove a little dry for some). In addition, this volume is generously filled with photos of the letters themselves. This book is not for the beginner in the Ripper mythology as it focuses strictly on the letters and will be of most interest to those who have a basic understanding of the case already. This volume is a worthy addition to the Ripper books and will keep the legend alive for the next generation.

Rating:
Summary: Recommended, with Caveats
Review: Jack the Ripper is the not quite the definitive history that the sub-title promises but there is much fascinating information in this book by Paul Begg. For the best history on the Jack the Ripper case, the reader is strongly advised to read Philip Sugden's The Complete History of Jack the Ripper. Begg's book would then make an interesting follow-up for the beginning Ripperologist and a must-have for the more devoted follower of Saucy Jack. The author provides a great deal of context (perhaps a tad too much, did the story truly need to begin in Roman times?) which other Ripper books never provide and gives important political thumb nail sketches of the political personalities and issues at the time which directly and indirectly affected the investigations. It would have been nice if the information on the victims and suspects had been expanded a little as one could always feel the author wanting to let loose with his opinion and other facts, particularly noticeable in the chapter on Mary Kelly. An interesting enough addition to the Ripper lore.

Rating:
Summary: Recommended, with Caveats
Review: Jack the Ripper is the not quite the definitive history that the sub-title promises but there is much fascinating information in this book by Paul Begg. For the best history on the Jack the Ripper case, the reader is strongly advised to read Philip Sugden's The Complete History of Jack the Ripper. Begg's book would then make an interesting follow-up for the beginning Ripperologist and a must-have for the more devoted follower of Saucy Jack. The author provides a great deal of context (perhaps a tad too much, did the story truly need to begin in Roman times?) which other Ripper books never provide and gives important political thumb nail sketches of the political personalities and issues at the time which directly and indirectly affected the investigations. It would have been nice if the information on the victims and suspects had been expanded a little as one could always feel the author wanting to let loose with his opinion and other facts, particularly noticeable in the chapter on Mary Kelly. An interesting enough addition to the Ripper lore.

Rating:
Summary: take out the trash and this is left over
Review: Paul Begg has written the most insightful volume on The Whitechapel Murders to date. Putting the whole series of events in to historical context is something that has been terribly lacking in other histories surrounding the events of 1888. Bravo to Mr. Begg for his ability to avoid speculating or casting the facts in a slanted light. This book should be the first purchased by anyone with interest in the subject. Thank you, Mr. Begg, for such a thorough and refreshing book.

Rating:
Summary: take out the trash and this is left over
Review: Paul Begg has written the most insightful volume on The Whitechapel Murders to date. Putting the whole series of events in to historical context is something that has been terribly lacking in other histories surrounding the events of 1888. Bravo to Mr. Begg for his ability to avoid speculating or casting the facts in a slanted light. This book should be the first purchased by anyone with interest in the subject. Thank you, Mr. Begg, for such a thorough and refreshing book.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent on context
Review: The book really is more about the context than the case itself, but Begg present solid research and writes very well. In terms of presenting the conditions of 1888 Whitechapel, it is probably the best book out there. For a history strictly of the JtR case, Sugden would be the way to go. However, Begg's new book, "Jack the Ripper: The Facts" (only available at amazon.co.uk now), which contains much of the research done in the past ten years, would be definitely worth getting from there. Still, this book is worth it for the Ripperologist.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect...
Review: This book is great. This is by far one of the best books on the subject. Paul Begg has written a masterpiece. I probably wouldn't recommend it to amateurs on the subject, but once you have a feeling for the case and its history, this is the book you want to read.