The Mysterious World of Sherlock Holmes

Lavishly illustrated, The Mysterious World of Sherlock Holmes is a companion guide to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Great Detective. The book includes a biography of Conan Doyle, a history of Sherlock Holmes in print as well as on stage and screen, and an examination of the Holmes phenomenon today. Wexler also briefly touches on Sherlock Holmes' role in the evolution of crime fiction, the class structure of Victorian society, Victorian medicine and Holmes' use of forensic investigative techniques. Over 150 illustrations are beautifully presented throughout the book. Many of Sidney Padget's iconic images are reproduced as full or half-page illustrations. There are many photographs of Victorian London and weapons that were common to the era. The section picturing some of Holmes' key possessions (such as his deerstalker hat, magnifying glass, pipe, Persian slipper, and violin) was especially interesting to me. When I first read through the Sherlock Holmes stories as a teenager, I had no idea what a Persian slipper looked like. I would have had no such trouble envisioning Holmes' quirky method of tobacco storage if this book had been available then. While the illustrations shine, the text -- unfortunately -- does not. While I am by no means a Sherlock Holmes scholar, I picked up on several factual and typographical errors throughout the book. Mary Morstan, a prominent character in The Sign of Four, is referred to as "Mary Morstam", several quotations from Doyle's work are incorrect, and more than once, the word "to" is used where "too" is actually the correct form. Better editing would have served this volume well. Wexler also asserts that Doyle's non-Holmes works have "withered away from disregard." While it is certainly true that the Sherlock Holmes stories are Doyle's most popular work and will likely remain so, I would not be so hasty to dismiss the rest of his body of work. Overall, I would not hesitate to recommend this book based on the quality and variety of the illustrations alone. If you can look past the rather unfortunate errors, there is a lot to enjoy here.

Bruce Wexler and Courage books combine talents to produce this colorful, wide-ranging guide to the life and times of history's most famous fictional detective. Published in 2008, it should delight Sherlock Holmes fans around the world. Wexler's 192-page examination of all things Holmesian begins with a biography of Conan Doyle followed by chapters on Holmes in print; the London of Holmes' time; Medical and forensic medicine in the Holmes' tales; Holmes' paraphernalia; Holmes on stage, screen and radio; and so on. Having been to London several times I especially enjoyed the chapter dealing with the Sherlock Holmes Pub. The text is complimented by hundreds of vintage and contemporary b & w and color photographs, maps, magazine covers, book covers, newspapers articles, etc. The color photos of 1800s artifacts really brings Holmes' world to life. As a popular guide, THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF SHERLOCK HOLMES is hard to beat. The wide-ranging coverage, myriad illustrations and low price ($l4.95) made it a must-have selection. Recommended.

Same book for sale at Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street. Wonderful photos. I love it.

Though Wexler's very visual book does not explain every detail from Holmes' cases, it definitely makes a good companion to them. Upon ordering the book I assumed the pictures would be small and/or sparse throughout. I was very mistaken, as the book is littered with large, full color pictures and illustrations. Some of Paget's illustrations from the original mysteries are included in very striking full color, as well as actual photographs and pictures from Holme's time. Additionally, I was impressed by a section devoted to Holmes' personal items such as his deerstalker hat, pipe, and magnifying glass. The book would be excellent for a Holmes devotee or a beginning reader of the stories.