Formaat: 20 x 26,8 cm.
Elementary My Dear Watson
Sherlock Holmes Centenary
His Life and Times
It is one hundred years since the world's most
famous detective made his first appearance in
A Study In Scarlet, published in Beeton's Christmas
Annual 1887. Since then the stories of his exploits
have been translated into over fifty different
languages, numerous actors have portrayed
him on television and in films and a huge and
ever-growing band of followers endlessly
debate his every recorded move and opinion.
Elementary My Dear Watson provides a lively
and intriguing insight into the phenomenon
which was and is Sherlock Holmes. Discover
how his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, came to
write the stories, using people he knew for
inspiration, and how, tiring of the character,
he tried to get rid of Holmes down the
Reichenbach Falls. Such was the popularity of
the great detective however, that when Conan
Doyle gave in and resuscitated him, there were
queues to buy copies of the Strand Magazine
in which the new story appeared) and reading
rooms stayed open late to satisfy the demand.
The story of how Conan Doyle was himself
overshadowed by his creation is fascinating.
Sherlock Holmes rapidly acquired a life and
personality of his own and this entertaining
book also analyses the personality and habits of
the great man. Every tiny detail of Holmes's
life down to the quality of the varnish on
his violin - has been examined in the vast
literature generated by his fans.
A look at the Victorian underworld and the
real crimes of the day including Jack the
Ripper's horrific deeds- completes this light
hearted study of the life, times and origins of
Sherlock Holmes. Ilustrations from contem-
porary sources complete the picture of the
fictional character who still needs a secretary
to answer his mail.