5 comments about The Complete Jack the Ripper.

1. Donald Rumbelow, as a Scotland Yard Detective, provides a grim, realistic study of the Ripper Case, even down to studying such vague connections as Ellery Queen fictional work concerning it.
   He was permitted access to records that are still sealed, and was shocked to find how little of the records survived. He was also able to put back the death bed picture of Mary Kelly.

   The only fault I find is in his analysis of the suspects. He seemed to rigid and not willing to look into this with any real depth.

   Overall, a must for any ripperologist!!




2. Donald Rumbelow has an excellent writing style and this is an easy to read and understand book. In particular, he does a great job of helping the reader understand the conditions in London's east end during this time of the old city's history. He also gives the reader a complete understanding of the limitations faced by police in the late 1800's. If no one saw the killer commit the crime, it was almost impossible to make an arrest.

   This is a fairly short book as compared to other ripper books but there is a wealth of information. This would be an excellent book for someone just getting interested in the ripper for it is more of an introduction to the case than anything else. Rumbelow never really makes any attempt to solve the case. Instead he spends a lot of time showing the faults in other ripper writer's theroies. I think it was Sherlock Holmes who said that if you get rid of all the things that were impossible, what was left was the answer, no matter how improbable. I think that may be what Rumbelow is up to.

   Truth be known, the section I enjoyed most was the chapter called "Beyond the Grave", which deals with ripper like killers who followed Jack. The Yorkshire and Dusseldorf rippers and Jack the Stripper for example. Their cases are not only highly interesting but also prove that the shadow of Jack the Ripper will be hanging over us for a long time.




3. I actually got to meet and discuss the murders with Mr. Rumbelow on a trip to London last summer, and it's not hard to see why he is considered by many well-thought-of historians and many of Hollywood's elite as the Official Jack The Ripper Historical Expert. For instance, he not only has an amazing amount of knowledge regarding details of the Ripper Case, but he was also a historical consultant for the 2002 film "From Hell", the most accurate Ripper film, to date. In this book, he paints a bleak yet comprehensive portrait of the case that has baffled historians and case-solvers, alike, for the past century. Highly recommended!



4. This book is the best I have read on this subject. On my last trip to London I actually went on a tour with the author Donald Rumbelow. I bought the book from Donald at the end of the tour and he autographed it for me. Donald leads a London "Jack the Ripper" walk that far surpasses any other guided tour of any sort that I have ever been on. He knows his stuff, as you can see by reading the book. Donald is the Curator of the Police Crime Museum and a former Scotland Yard Detective. Anytime I go to London, which is about every couple of years, I have to go on a "Ripper" tour with Donald. Travel guides like Fodor's, Frommers, Eyewitness etc recommend the expert walking tour and his crime book. Donald's walking company site is "london.walks.com".



5. I just returned from London and attended Donald Rumbelow's "Ripper Walk" (on 20 May 04) and Donald has just revised his book. He did not have any copies available at the end of the walk because they are sitting at the publishers (Penguin) but will be available anytime now. As everyone has stated, this gentleman knows his subject. It was one of the highlights of my trip to London!

5 comments about Jack the Ripper: First American Serial Killer.

1. Contrary to what Reviewer #2 has to say with his low rating, having read MANY "Studies" of the Ripper over the years, I find the case brought against "Dr." Tumblety to be by FAR the MOST likely; there is just TOO much coincidence for it NOT to be this man. Of particular interest are a SIMILAR rash of murder/mutilations performed AFTER the Whitechapel murders in another locale where Tumblety was proven to have been in at the same time as THAT series occured. PLUS Tumblety's collection of fetuses, etc. HIGHLY recommended, to me one of the MOST compelling books yet written on the topic, with more than enough proof provided to prove Tumblety's guilt.



2. I enjoyed this book. Admittedly, it has sat on my shelf for three years, waiting until I was in a suitably dark mood to be tempted by it. The authors present a lot of evidence and show very thorough research. The killer they suggest seems entirely plausible, much more so than in the other Ripper book I read and enjoyed (at the end of which, the author's conclusion was that the man had simply stopped killing. Serial killers don't just stop. So that was implausible). Good book.



3. I was impressed with this book.The best Ripper book yet.Gives the facts ,and no newspaper biases. Timewise,it fits Dr.Tumblity.
   Socially,it fits Dr.Tumblity.The O'tumblity's were Irish immigrants ,of the 1830s potatoe famine.He had a poor childhood and few prospects for social acceptance,in the WASP society,of the 19th century.Tumblity was a good medic,during the Civil War.He was even a gate-crasher at the Lincoln White-House.Yet,after the war,he was persona non grata. He had plucked medals off the dead solider's chests and boasted an impressive military service,all Munchhausen quitoxic fabrications. Like a social peacock, trying to impress the local fauna.Yet,it was faux plummage.Tumblity's wife was unfaithful and left him a embittered misogynist.The Tumblity quack sold peppered cure-alls,and performed abortions ,in the backroom,of his foot-to-the-ground office.When Tumblity passed on ,at a St.Louis catholic hospital,on South Euclid ,he donated all the jewlery he had to the unknowing sisters.The rings were from prostitutes and poor women that had no ready-cash for Tumblity's questionable abortion services. No worthy doctor sullied their hands in this dark business of "Angel-making".But,Tumblity did.This Tumblity deemed himself a "respectable gentelman".He had to be frustrated by being restricted to the nether-world of Victorian society.I believe Tumblity met Monty Druitt at a college pub.Tumblity lavished on young artsy college boys,such as Patricia Cornwall's suspect.The chaulked "Juwes" comment ,was atributed to Monty Druitt ,yet probably written by the old fox Tumblity.Tumblity had a falling out with Druitt,dumping his body in the still-water.The corpse was found some weeks later and Tumblity was long gone,having taken a steamer,back to Rochester,New York.Jack is slang for a "puerile boy" and a "ripper" rips things open.The young Tumblity was an saucy erotica porn reader and aware of the street-whores of the lower eastside.The elder Tumblity was an avid theatre goer,watching the performances of the Booth family.(Yet,i do not know if Tumblity having been ejected by the Lincoln beef-eaters,then help hatch the assassination plot with John Wilkes Booth.) Tumblity was also a fan of Gilbert&Sullivan.Tumblity visited his sister(1875) ,from Vallejo,CA and watched the "Mikado" ,in near-by Frisco. Amazing!Did the Zodiac know this?? -- Mr.Lusk was a Mason,yet Tumblity was rejected as a Mason. You do the addition and go figure here.The best evidence provided here is proven and sound. A great book!



4. The Littlechild letter was an exciting find, but I remained unconvinced Tumblety was a viable JTR suspect. Unlike other JTR books though, I feel the authors present their story in an honest and well researched manner and I didn't get the feeling facts were fudged or glossed over altogether.
   
   While Tumblety probably didn't commit the crimes (he didn't fit the description very well and I cannot believe JTR was that organized and competent to amass a small fortune), I wouldn't rule out he murdered others and I would still recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Whitechapel murders.



5. This is a good text, but I found myself wanting more. Several reviewers have spoken about how the authors did a good job of providing a new Ripper suspect, but I didn't feel they tied up the loose ends. There is mention of murders in Jamaica and Nicaragua late in the book, but no evident that Dr T. was ever in those countries at the time of the murders. There was a brief mention of an American `ripper event' in New York City, but no details surrounding this event. The evidence surrounding the Batty Street Lodger was very interesting, but the authors should have flushed that line of reasoning out further.
   
   However the largest weakness of the text surrounds Mary Kelly. In the second appendix the authors decide that Mary is not a Ripper victim, apparently because Dr. T. might have been in police custody at the time of her murder. This might in fact be accurate, but this sort of material needs to be a chapter within the body of their text. This is a HUGE point within their theory and it's added in at the end. The authors spent significant time talking about Mary Kelly, only to discount the murder at the very end of the book because it didn't agree with their theory. This is a major flaw in their argument.
   
   Additionally, early sections of the book spend a good deal of time talking about the Lincoln Assassination and Dr. T's arrest as a suspect in that affair. Unfortunately, these events are never tied back to the Whitechapel affair. Finally, very little information is provided regarding what happened to Dr. T. after he left London. Perhaps this information is not available, but one of the leading reasons to suspect Dr T. is he left London in 1888 (under suspicion). Additionally, if ripper-like murders happened in other parts of the world, this would be a big indicator that he was the Ripper, but only if you can show he was in those locals at the time of the murders.
   
   Having read many Ripper texts, this one is more entertaining than most; however, it left me feeling the authors could have done more with their suspect. They did not convince me they had found Jack, only that Jack the Ripper and the Batty Street Lodger were probably one and the same person.

2 comments about Uncovering Jack the Ripper's London.

1. What London resident could ever have imagined that the monstrous deeds of a maniac in 1888 would endure for over 100 years? Yet here is is the latest - but certainly not the last - book to chronicle the doings of history's most famous serial killer. Author Richard Jones takes a slightly different tack however in focusing on re-creating the London scene wherein Jack the Ripper did his dirty deeds rather than just recounting the deeds themselves.
   
   Jones' volume is part history, part travel guide to London's West End circa 1888. Using contemporary press acounts, period photographs and present-day images, he does an excellent job of immersing the reader in life in the West End and the effect "Jack" - assuming there was only one murderer! - had on its residents. He very wisely, in my opinion, doesn't spend time running through 'the usual suspects' but concentrates on portraying how terrible life was for West End residents even before the Ripper started stalking its dark and filthy streets.
   
   All in all, a fresh and interesting look at murderous times long ago. Ripper fans will enjoy.



2. Anyone interested in "Jack the Ripper" will surely find this book to be of interest. As a matter of fact, I found it more interesting than any of the previous books I have read about this most famous of all murderers. Each of those books had a story to tell and something to prove, but, although convincing, they didn't necessarily tell the whole story or perhaps even the real story. This book takes a different tack, it simply takes you back to the streets of the Whitechapel District of London in the 1880's and lets you walk with and listen to those who lived there, many of whom were prostitutes living on the streets in fear for their lives.
   
   You will also get to meet and follow the police as they examine the evidence, strive to dampen panic and suppress riots, and struggle to find the killer. In the process you'll likely discover that the police weren't as incompetent and inept as we have been led to believe. On the contrary, you will see that they were up against an almost impossible task - finding an illusive butcher who struck in the dead of night; a man whose ghastly work was made easier for him, and the police's work much more difficult, by the simple fact that his victims willingly led him to the dark and secluded alleyways and darkened yards where he butchered them. You will also find that the problems of the police were compounded by the fact that this all took place in a part of London where, due to the numerous slaughter houses and butcher shops resident in the area, the sight of bloody hands and bloody clothes on the streets was an everyday and every night occurrence.
   
   I approached this book having already read three earlier books about "Jack" each purporting to identify the real villain. And, I must say, until I read each succeeding book, I was firmly convinced that the previous man must surely have been the killer. I finally concluded that only two separate and completely unrelated men were the lone killer (although my favorite of the two has presumably been discredited by the "experts"). Of course, that was a somewhat unsatisfactory result. But with so many potential villains floating around, I naturally found this book to be of particular interest. Would any of these killers, I wondered, hold up under closer, and less biased, scrutiny?
   
   Oddly enough, none of my suspects were even mentioned in this book, and, stranger still, much of the evidence which pointed in their directions appears to have had little or no significance to the case. For example: poisoned grapes - none were found; royal coaches - none were mentioned by any witnesses; "doctor's" black bag - the bag was owned by a man who was hurrying home and just happened to be passing the murder scene (he later identified himself to the police); coins and/or body parts arranged in some ritual fashion - coins were found at one murder scene, but neither coins nor body parts were arranged in any particular way, etc.
   
   So, if you are a Jack the Ripper addict, this book might change your mind on a thing or two, and, if you have a pet Ripper suspect, it may disillusion you a bit. But, if you don't know much about the case, it will surely whet your appetite to know more, and it's as close as you're likely to get to the real story of the Whitechapel murders. As for me, I'm sticking with my suspect until someone can convince me otherwise.

No comments about The Visual Encyclopedia of Serial Killers.

5 comments about Jack the Ripper: Letters from Hell.

1. 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.



2. If there wasn't any writing or notes in this book it would still be worth it for the pictures by themselves. The fact that it has a masterful narration is the icing on the cake. There are up close COLOR pictures of the letters that you can read and analyze. It is printed on high quality glossy paper, (not photo paper, but very nice). I bought mine from the used section in new condition. This is a "must have" for any Ripperologist.



3. Evans and Skinner present an 8x11 sized 'coffee-table book' containing letters purportedly from Jack the Ripper. The letters included are designated ones that were signed some form of JtR. The authors don't tell you they are faked or real but present them to you so you can analyze them for your own determination. There's no real way of telling if any of them were actually written by the Whitechapel murderer. The biggest bonus of this book is the fantastic photos of the letters; they are simply marvellous (5 stars). The book is worth the price for the photos alone. I found the 'discussion' of the letters dry and lacking of an actual analysis by the authors (3 stars). Also included are sample handwritings from a few Ripper suspects. Looking and comparing these were fascinating and there is quite a resemblence between the first 'Dear Boss' letter signed Jack the Ripper and a sample letter from William Bury; based on these, I'd be pretty suspicious of Bury (although that's not who I believe was the Ripper). Evans does a very good couple of chapters regarding the McCormick book about the Ripper and Dr. Dutton.
   
   Overall, the text is okay for the first 2/3 of the book but then gets better on the McCormick/Dutton, suspects chapters. However, the photos are the real seller of this Jack the Ripper text.



4. This book is a fascinating and invaluable tool for looking into the mindset of the London public while the JTR murders were taking place. While I personally believe none of the letters came from the killer (save the possible exception of the Lusk letter), the letters themselves remain fascinating some grotesque and some being very eloquent. At a time when I'm tired of the latest suspect theory being thrown about, this book is a welcome change.



5. This is well produced and it almost has every JTR letter of significance reproduced in colour. Unfortunately there isn't a photo of the important Lusk postcard, and the book was issued apparently before the discovery of the equally important "So now they think I'm a yid" letter. Some of these JTR letters are obviously genuine and this was recognized at the time in (I think) The Times. The authentic letters include the Lusk Letter, the Dr Openshaw Letter, the Lusk Postcard, the Police Commissioner Frazer Postcard, the "So now they think I'm a yid" Letter, the M Baynard Postcard. Like the Goulston Street writing, the killer often signatures his letters with parts of his victims (the Lusk Letter) or with drawings of such (the Frazer Postcard or M Baynard Postcard).

5 comments about Jack the Ripper: A Journal of the Whitechapel Murders 1888-1889 (Treasury of Victorian Murder (Graphic Novels)).

1. A truly great graphic novel. Geary continues his amazing series of "A Treasury of Victorian Murder" with probably what is the most brilliant installment. The story of Jack the Ripper is explained from somewhat of a historically unbiased and objective view without being overloaded with too many sources. The comic contains a documentary side while melding description, assumption, and mystery alongside great graphic images. I have not found a flaw in Geary series other than some dissapointment with "The Borden Tragedy." I would also suggest
   Peter Kuper's adaptatation of Kafka's "The Metamorphosis."



2. If I had wanted a picture book, done in a comic book format, this would have been fine. It was not what I was looking for - I expected a more intellectual treatment. Will NOT but Geary again.



3. I knew just the basics about Jack the Ripper when I picked this up in a used bookstore. The drawings were so detailed and clarified logistics (maps, diagrams, plans) in a way that text cannot. The text is extremely straightforward and reality-based, giving them an authority that hyperbole would've ruined. I had no intentions of buying this, but I had a hard time putting it down.
   Years later, this has turned out to be one of those purchases that I pull out over and over again. It is never far from my bed and sits with two other (soon to be three) volumes in the series. All of them lay out conundrums that leave you chilled and uneasy. You go to bed a little less sure that all is right in the world.
   
   Once I was flipping channels on cable and the image of an alley with a distinct bend to it flashed by. "...looked like an alley from the the Ripper killings..." I thought and changed back. Sure enough, it was a documentary on the Ripper. That's how accurate this books visuals are. I correctly associated a photo I had never seen before with the crimes just from viewing Geary's drawings. His illustrative style is fastidious and engrossing.
   
   True to it's title I do treasure these volumes.
   Best of luck and much success to you Rick!



4. Jack the Ripper is a fact based comic. The story is told in the form of excerpts from an unamed Victorian man's journal. He says on this day this occurred on this day this body was found here, etc. The idea is to lay out just the facts and not to try to read into them. Theories on who the killer is etc are presented very briefly as they come up and no one theory is endorsed.
   
   The visuals: The drawings here are done in a style that simulates wood cut prints. This lend itself to descriptive diagrammatic illustrations. It also keeps the gore from being so disturbing. This book isn't dwelling on the gore, but it isn't totally possible to avoid it in this case. The drawings of crime scenes etc here are very accurate, so the illustrations add to the information presented.
   
   This is a good clean and straight forward telling of the Jack the Ripper stories. It lays out the facts and does this clearly and concisely. If you have already read lots about Jack the Ripper then this won't add anything new. It is also pretty expensive for a black and white comic book, since it is only 64 pages. The best use for this book is perhaps for families or school libraries that want a book about Jack the Ripper. It does tell about a slasher who kills prostitutes, but it is a clean treatment considering the subject.



5. The title page says it all: "A Journal of the Whitechapel Murders 1888-1889 Adapted by Rick Geary." Don't expect shocking new "revelations" or speculations as to the identity of the Ripper; the text comprises excerpts from the journals of an anonymous Victorian chronicler of the Ripper's crimes. Yet it is precisely the ordinary, "following the day's news" quality of this account that is so chilling---it reminds the reader that the lost lives of these poor women were REAL and that their murders were never solved. Geary's renderings, as always, succeed admirably in fleshing out the journal entries, and his use of maps as backgrounds for many of his panels is ingenious. Reading this book was a fine approximation of taking a Ripper walking tour through Whitechapel.

2 comments about The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Companion: An Illustrated Encyclopedia.

1. An exhaustive record of all official correspondence, case file notes, evidence details and media reports concering the Jack the Ripper/Whitechapel murders of 1888-91. A very thorough research guide for serious Ripperologists. Includes all major case notes and relevant data, as well as a solid collection of photographs and drawings. Recommended for the hardcore Ripper enthusiast, and as a companion to other books on the case, especially Sugden's "The Complete History of Jack the Ripper".



2. This book is a necessary addition to any Ripper library. It is essentially a compilation of contemporary documents, mostly police, inquest and newspaper reports. It covers the major bases, including the individual murders and some documents relating to suspects and police opinions. Although it obviously may not be as comprehensive or up-to-date as one might like, it is one of the few primary source collections on the Whitechapel crimes, which alone makes it worth the read.

5 comments about The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper.

1. This book features about 16(if I remember correctly)different essays on the identity of JTR. Most are well-written;and while some of the suspects are either ridiculous or proven to be innocent, it is a good starting point for amateur ripperologists. This book shows that there's many different opinions and varied viewpoints on the identity of JTR. We'll probably never know who he was, so I guess this is as good a place to start as any.



2. Because the perpetrator of the 1888 London slayings known as the Whitechapel Murders was never convicted as such the case has become the most popular whodunit in history. Every armchair detective in the world has his pet theory as to who the killer was and why he was compelled to slash to death women in the dead of night. Fortunately "The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper", published in 1999, is both informative and fun to read. I say fortunately, because it presents a kaleidoscope of conjectures and contradictions from Ripperologists who here present the theories they have published in different books. (Colin Wilson, whose own essay is the last of 16, takes credit for the term "Ripperologist".) This brotherhood is evidently a very chancy clique, characterized by tense camaraderie and frequent animosity. Shirley Harrison, in discussing an alleged Ripper diary (she's supported by Colin Wilson), says an informed debate sank to "a low level of vitriolic abuse". No wonder, with all these different ideas: Paul Harrison and Bruce Paley agree on their working-class suspect, while Martin Fido concentrates on the Jewish aspect, and Sue and Andy Parlour favor the Freemason angle. (Philip Sugden was either not invited to this party or declined the invitation.) M.J.Trow plays a little prank on the reader to indicate how easy it is to categorize anyone -- you, me, Lewis Carroll -- as a serial killer. Then there is the legend of the Duke of Clarence, who married a "model" of the Catholic faith, siring her child. The potential scandal so spooked the Court it sanctioned a series of homicides. All this has been fodder for some extravagant fiction, but as Simon Whitechapel observes: "If the murders were carried out to silence blackmailers, why were they so brutal? Why, in other words, were they so public?" (His own arcane conspiracy theory combines Roman Empire decadence with Victorian kitsch.) A more stable, if less romantic, explanation is the connection between the Irish Nationalist cause and the Conservative government's awareness of similarities in the Whitechapel murders and Fenian terrorist tactics. "The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper", well-edited by Maxim Jakubowski and Nathan Braund, offers many bonuses, including a chronology and autopsy reports. At the end is a bibliography, listing dozens of Ripper-related books, about 40 since 1988 alone. There is also a filmography, beginning with something called "Farmer Spudd and his Missus Take a Trip to Town" (1915) and including 1953's "Here Come the Girls", in which Bob Hope is threatened by a character named Jack the Slasher. So who was Saucy Jacky? An insane surgeon? An over-zealous reformer? An angry boyfriend? Peter Turnbull states bluntly: "Jack the Ripper was not a man: he was a myth." On the other hand, A.P Wolf has an article titled "Jack the Myth" in which a favorite candidate is promoted. It is A.P. Wolf who invites us to the party: "Go on, check it out," this Ripperologist writes. "The 'Final Solution' could be yours."



3. This was a breath of fresh air in the overwhelmingly polluted atmosphere of stale Ripper-media. Though it is a thick book, it is a very well written easy read in chronological order. Maxim Jakubowski and Nathan Braund do an exquisit job of presenting the facts and documentation of JtR. In order, each victim's case is presented along with transcripts of their respective documents where available, including autopsy reports & police memoranda. There is little to nill of the authors opinions or "out there" hypothesis and theories of "whodunit" that is so cliche in many of the books as of late. Just the facts!



4. Half of "The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper" is a reference book about the Whitechapel murders. It contains witness statements, victim biographies, autopsy reports, police opinions, weather at the time of the crime, and much more. I was really glad to read through this material because the facts are so often distorted or ignored in documentaries about Jack the Ripper. This part of the book is a very important read for anyone interested in the Whitechapel/Jack the Ripper murders.
   
   The reason that I gave "The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper" four stars instead of five was because of the other half of the book, entitled "Current Views." This part of the book is made up of modern essays speculating the identity of Jack the Ripper. Most of these essays are (to put it euphemistically) strange and implausible. This is roughly 300 pages in the middle of the book. Martin Fido's essay (David Cohen and the Polish Jew Theory) stood out from the other essays. It was fascinating, well researched, and believable.



5. This book presents a different chapter on a different suspect and each argument is very compelling.
   
   This variety means that the reader is always entertained.
   
   Thoroughly enjoyed it and would definately recommend it.

5 comments about The Brotherhood: The Explosive Expose of the Secret World of the Freemasons.

1. Freedom of the press around the world is rather an illusionary lie. Most of the corporate conglomerates have monopolized free speech and freedom of expression that goes hand in hand with it. Each citizen that fails to learn the massive destruction to freedom that has occurred in the G-8 nations is an impediment to that which I try to do for you peacefully, truthfully, and in the true spirit of friendship.
   Though the man was not perfect by any means, he was dedicated to personal and national freedom of citizens......Read the personal letters and writings of Thomas Jefferson. The United States today mocks the truth of our sincere beginnings at justice and liberty for all. The prejudices of society in his time kept him from doing many of the things he would have preferred to do. One thing is certain, every centimeter of the land and waterways of the Louisiana Purchase was paid for with gold. No amount of fiat money has yet paid the FULL sterling value for it, nor even come close to such.
   
   For more info on this email sundown1919@yahoo.com or sundown1919@canada.com or visit my website at www.geocities.com/sundown1919
   
   I have been meaning to read this book, you can't find it in the USA because the conglomerates that control the media also control the various printing companies, all paid for by fiat money.....so we have many ligitimate grievances to itemize where fiat money is involved in the payment, it can only represent an IOU for any labor rendered. The law of mortmain kills the corporate claims before they utter even one word.
   
   In the 1960's most of the 50 US states in preparation for the next attrocity, the Uniform Commerical Code, tried to legislate away the long established English Common Law of Mortmain. It prevented abuses of the artificial entites such as the Roman Catholic Church, and to day also involves all such corporations of business.



2. Beware! This is an anti-Masonic book and should not be looked upon as a book to provide actual facts concerning Freemasonry. This book is recommended only if one wishes to see the nonsense the anti-Masons are saying about Freemasonry.
   For more balanced and factual accounts of the nature of Freemasonry, read: 'Is it True what they Say about Freemasonry?' by Arturo de Hoyos & S. Brent Morris, 'Masonic Questions and Answers' by Paul M. Bessel & 'A Pilgrim's Path: Freemasonry and the Religious Right' by John J. Robinson.



3. Lets be honest, this book shouldnt be taken as fact. It's another highly embellished anti-masonic writer who has something out for the Freemonry Brotherhood, but it's so full of conspiracy theories (written as conspiracy fact) that one wonders whether or not David Duchovny is tracking some Freemason X-file. For anyone interested in pseudo-history, this is the book or them. Not that it's all false. It's much along the lines of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail". There's some relatively unbiased stuff about the formation of the order. I'm just glad i read it before Dan Brown can dissect it for his latest work of historical plagiarism.



4. Knight does a fantastic job exposing the sinister activity of freemasons. Freemasonry by design is a guild and secret. By its very nature it practices favoritism and deceit. It reminds me of a title from Al Hirt "The brotherhood of man (or how to get rich without really trying)." Freemasons constantly get caught in mischief and they rant and rave when you call them on it. Freemasons have no credibility. My only criticism is that Knight doesn't point out the masonic preoccupation of freemasonry with cabala. I suppose this is because Knight was a member of Rajneesh's group, which was gnostic to the core and borrowed heavily from cabala. Ironically, Rajneesh was a freemason. Knight was a little naive in this respect.



5. Unlike other expositions of Freemasonry, 'The Brotherhood' by Stephen Knight does not focus upon any ideological goal of the Masonic hierarchy, nor on their very existence, save a brief description of the full thirty-three degrees of Freemasonry. Instead, Mr. Knight explores Freemasonry in the lower ranks, describing the effect that ordinary Freemasons have upon various sectors of British society, particularly in the City of London. Much time is spent examining the influence of Freemasonry in legal fields, such as the police service, the courts and the Government and, through many 'inside' interviews, detailing the corrupting effects of the Brotherhood in these organizations. Despite the shrill claims of Masonic apologists to the contrary, Mr. Knight has clearly done extensive research into the subject, and the many interviews conducted with Freemasons dispel the claim that a membership of the Fraternity will not enable a speedier advancement in life; nor opposition to this set-up result in any negative consequences, something that should provide consternation for all non-Masonic readers. Further chapters describe the possible results of unchecked Masonic affiliations within the legal system, such as the infamous P2 scandal in 1980s Italy. Another chapter discusses the spiritual aspects of Freemasonry, describing their beliefs and practices, and their compatibility with Christianity.
   
   It should be noted that, unlike other anti-Masonic literature, `The Brotherhood' is not an assault on Freemasonry itself. Indeed, the author often goes out of his way to stress, what he sees as, positive elements to Freemasonry and the good character of many members. However, his findings insist that a society operating in secrecy within the very heart of British society, and any other national society, should be considered a threat worthy of notice.

5 comments about Varney the Vampire; or, The Feast of Blood.

1. Varney The Vampire is an important leader in the vampire legacy. And here is the ultimate critical edition. I am so excited about the extras in this book. There are some arcane references in the original text that are finally footnoted and explained. I highly recommend this edition. A+++



2. This is a true lost classic that reveals the beginning of the great character of Dracula. The editor's notes add to the interest of the book and build knowledge on the times and elements of Varney. I recommend this reading for any Dracula fan or a fan of interesting reading. A+++ to Herr for bringing this hidden treasure back to the world of literature.



3. I absolutely love this book! An excellent relic from the golden (or shall I say black) age of Gothic Lit. Why this gem has remained hidden for all these years is a mystery to me, but Mr. Herr has finally revived this old Penny Dreadful and brought a new light to this style of writing. A wonderful Gothic novel by the same author who originated the Sweeney Todd story. A must buy!



4. I have been following Mr. Herr's work for years and I truly appreciate this edition of Varney the Vampire. If you are new to the genre, this is a great place to start!



5. Ignore all the talk about Dracula in other reviews, that book and this one are two uniquely different entities. Legends about vampires existed outside of Transylvania, and even Europe for that matter, long before the Victorians tightened their first bodice. My impression of this book is that the writing is closer to Robert E. Howard in its great forward momentum; another apt comparison might be to the movie serials of the '30s-'50s. Thrills and more thrills! The style may be a little underwhelming, but if you can read Ann Radcliffe you can certainly read this. And incidentally, I think the ungrammatical and linguistically oafish reviews for this book are very appropriate for a book written at top speed and with little editorial supervision. Take a trip back in time to a very different world - read this book!