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Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle
Winner of the 1999 Edgar Award for Best Biographical Work, this is "an excellent biography of the man who created Sherlock Holmes" (David Walton, The New York Times Book Review)
This fresh, compelling biography examines the extraordinary life and strange contrasts of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the struggling provincial doctor who became the most popular storyteller of his age. From his youthful exploits aboard a whaling ship to his often stormy friendships with such figures as Harry Houdini and George Bernard Shaw, Conan Doyle lived a life as gripping as one of his adventures. Exhaustively researched and elegantly written, Teller of Tales sets aside many myths and misconceptions to present a vivid portrait of the man behind the leg of Baker Street, with a particular emphasis on the Psychic Crusade that dominated his final years-the work that Conan Doyle himself felt to be "the most important thing in the world.
This fresh, compelling biography examines the extraordinary life and strange contrasts of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the struggling provincial doctor who became the most popular storyteller of his age. From his youthful exploits aboard a whaling ship to his often stormy friendships with such figures as Harry Houdini and George Bernard Shaw, Conan Doyle lived a life as gripping as one of his adventures. Exhaustively researched and elegantly written, Teller of Tales sets aside many myths and misconceptions to present a vivid portrait of the man behind the leg of Baker Street, with a particular emphasis on the Psychic Crusade that dominated his final years-the work that Conan Doyle himself felt to be "the most important thing in the world.
474 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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About the author
Daniel Stashower
42 books222 followersDaniel Stashower is the author of The Boy Genius and The Mogul as well as the Edgar Award-winning Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle. He is also the author of five mystery novels, the most recent of which is The Houdini Specter. Stashower is a recipient of The Raymond Chandler Fulbright Fellowship in Detective and Crime Fiction Writing, and spent a year as a Visiting Fellow at Wadham College, Oxford. A freelance journalist since 1986, Stashower's articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and Connoisseur. He lives with his wife and two sons in Washington, D.C.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 1, 2025
Arthur Conan Doyle lead a life and a half, one that ended with advocating for a belief in spiritualism and "life after death" (although there were participants at ACD's funeral who were not sad or dressed in mourning because they were sure his soul was still living).
The fame of his creation, "Sherlock Holmes," overshadowed the author and actually created some resentment. ACD wanted to be known as a serious author, especially a serious author of historical fiction, yet was saddled by being most known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
Until his death ACD received letters directed to Sherlock Holmes, written by fans who seemed to believe the fictional creation was a real person. At first, ACD answered each of these letters, but there were so many and they continued, so he stopped.
Many other names pop up in this biography, including Houdini, as well as episodes in the far north, South Africa, and North America.
World War I shook up a great number of people because the industrial slaughter was at a scale that shocked and overwhelmed. Many people at that time developed a belief in séances, mediums, spirit guides, and whatnot, with an understandable desire to connect with departed loved ones. ACD lost a son and other family members in the war, and, true to form, once involved in a topic he threw himself into it whole-heartedly, despite a heap of ridicule.
The fame of his creation, "Sherlock Holmes," overshadowed the author and actually created some resentment. ACD wanted to be known as a serious author, especially a serious author of historical fiction, yet was saddled by being most known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
Until his death ACD received letters directed to Sherlock Holmes, written by fans who seemed to believe the fictional creation was a real person. At first, ACD answered each of these letters, but there were so many and they continued, so he stopped.
Many other names pop up in this biography, including Houdini, as well as episodes in the far north, South Africa, and North America.
World War I shook up a great number of people because the industrial slaughter was at a scale that shocked and overwhelmed. Many people at that time developed a belief in séances, mediums, spirit guides, and whatnot, with an understandable desire to connect with departed loved ones. ACD lost a son and other family members in the war, and, true to form, once involved in a topic he threw himself into it whole-heartedly, despite a heap of ridicule.
July 22, 2012
I found this a fascinating book of a fascinating man. I was amazed at the number and variety of things Doyle had a hand in- studied and practiced medicine, went on a whaling expedition, helped popularize skiing, championed justice for those the law falsely condemned, ran for politics (even sharing the floor with Winston Churchill at one meeting), was a war correspondent, tried to get enlisted in every war in his lifetime including WWI when he was 50 years old, started his own militia, was a playwright, wrote historical fiction and military history, was one of the first people in England to drive a car or to get a speeding ticket, had interesting friends from Houdini to Oscar Wilde. And, of course, most bizzare of all, his never-ending crusade to convince people that you could contact the dead and that fairies were real.
Just reading about his life teaches you so much of the history of the times because he was involved in whatever was going on. He also comes across as a very likable person. I certainly didn't agree with everything nor like everything about him, but found his story more fascinating, with more twists and turns, than any adventure of Sherlock Holmes, whom, by the way, he resented. He wanted to be known for high literature, not some cheap detective stories. At one point he killed Sherlock Holmes off saying it was "justifiable homicide" because if he hadn't killed Sherlock, Sherlock would have killed him! I listened to this book on tape and the narrator did a great job with the voices. I was sad when it was over though I did learn more about spiritualism than I ever cared to know and could have done with a bit less of that, but I thought it was handled well and it was crucial to really knowing this man, so I can't complain.
Just reading about his life teaches you so much of the history of the times because he was involved in whatever was going on. He also comes across as a very likable person. I certainly didn't agree with everything nor like everything about him, but found his story more fascinating, with more twists and turns, than any adventure of Sherlock Holmes, whom, by the way, he resented. He wanted to be known for high literature, not some cheap detective stories. At one point he killed Sherlock Holmes off saying it was "justifiable homicide" because if he hadn't killed Sherlock, Sherlock would have killed him! I listened to this book on tape and the narrator did a great job with the voices. I was sad when it was over though I did learn more about spiritualism than I ever cared to know and could have done with a bit less of that, but I thought it was handled well and it was crucial to really knowing this man, so I can't complain.
December 23, 2011
This was exactly what I was looking for, a comprehensive biography of Arthur Conan Doyle that put his writings in a larger personal context. Stashower's style is accessible and straightforward (though better documentation would've been preferable), and I appreciated the numerous quotes that allowed the individuals to speak for themselves. Stashower makes no apologies for Doyle, but he tries to remain balanced, even sympathetic, even in the most trying of circumstances (Doyle's crusade for Spiritualism and interlude with the Fairies, for example). The portrait that emerges is a fascinating one of a man who somehow managed to be an exemplar of his time while also at times either looking well beyond it or lagging far behind it. Conan Doyle's sense of chivalry, desire for a cause to champion, and love/hate relationship with his creation Sherlock Holmes receive in-depth treatment, as do the many luminaries with whom Conan Doyle had lasting relationships (from J.M. Barrie to George Bernard Shaw to Harry Houdini). An analysis of Conan Doyle's autobiographical and semi-autobiographical writings, including fiction, round out the biography. This book won the 1999 Edgar (Allan Poe) Award for Best Biographical Work, and it's easy to see why. It's not a perfect study, but I'm definitely glad I read it, and I know it will inform my future readings of Conan Doyle's works in a very helpful way.
August 5, 2011
This waw recommended as part of the bibliography/appendix of "The Sherlockians." I found many things here which can explain how the man wrote and how he thought about logic and life. Recommended!
June 6, 2021
Why Did So Many Victorians Try to Speak with the Dead?
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...
October 20, 2009
This is a very interesting book about a fascinating and enigmatic man. Enigmatic because it is difficult to understand how a mind that could create Sherlock Holmes, the ultra-clinical, ultra-sceptical detective, could also believe in fairies, table-tapping, "voices from beyond," and pretty much any other mystical twaddle that came his way. This book, however, goes some way to reconciling these two polar opposites, explaining how Scottish good sense prevented Doyle from using Holmes as a mouthpiece for his Spiritualist agenda, while placing that agenda in the context of Doyle's personal grief at losing his son in the Great War.
As it was the author's intention to emphasise the period in which Doyle's Spiritualist beliefs came to dominate his life, this biography may not be for those looking for a personification of the Great Detective. For balance, The Secret Life of Houdini by William Kalush and Larry Sloman is a cracking read, telling the story of how the escapologist and Doyle became first close friends, and then bitter enemies as Houdini carried out his crusade to expose fake (aren't they all?) Spiritualist mediums.
As it was the author's intention to emphasise the period in which Doyle's Spiritualist beliefs came to dominate his life, this biography may not be for those looking for a personification of the Great Detective. For balance, The Secret Life of Houdini by William Kalush and Larry Sloman is a cracking read, telling the story of how the escapologist and Doyle became first close friends, and then bitter enemies as Houdini carried out his crusade to expose fake (aren't they all?) Spiritualist mediums.
March 20, 2009
I can't really claim to have "read" this entire book, but I did read about 2/3 of it and I skimmed the other 1/3. It's a good example of why I tend not to read biographies of authors I like, simply because so many of them turn out to be nuts/jerks/unlikeable/etc. Conan Doyle was definitely a remarkable man, and I love the Sherlock Holmes stories, but I'm not sure that I needed to see just how flat-out crazy/delusional he turned out to be. Still, it was an interesting "read."
August 10, 2024
An excellent and superbly researched biography of the creator of Sherlock Holmes and Professor Challenger.
The author traces Doyle's early life (including a few adventures such as serving on a whaling ship) and his gradually shift from doctor to full-time writer. There are discussions of authors who influenced him (Walter Scott and Edgar Allen Poe amoung others) and intelligent analysis of what makes his stories and novels so good. These discussions of his literary works are fair-minded, with the biographer willing to point out faults when he sees them while still recognizing the overall superb quality of Doyle's work.
It's pretty well-known that Doyle considered his historical novels such as "The White Company" his best work and was often annoyed that Sherlock Holmes overshadowed his other work. But Holmes brought him fame and fortune and the Great Detective even refused to stay dead after Doyle tried to kill him off.
We also learn that Doyle eventually became a skilled speaker and took up causes he felt important. On several occasions, he helped get someone falsely convicted freed from prison. Another example came just before World War I, when he gave a prescient warning about the dangers of submarine warfare.
The last chapters concentrate on the cause that took up the last few decades of his life--his embracing of spiritualism. I like how well the biographer handles this--pointing out that Doyle had become too credulous in accepting claims made by dubious mediums and enthusiastically accepting things such as the Collingley Fairies hoax as real. But Doyle's inherent sense of honor and honesty are never forgotten. Just about everyone who met him--whatever their opinions on spiritualism--liked and respected him. The biographer is as even-handed as possible from start to finish.
Whatever any of our opinions about how Doyle spent his last years, he was without question one of the greatest teller of tales who ever lived.
The author traces Doyle's early life (including a few adventures such as serving on a whaling ship) and his gradually shift from doctor to full-time writer. There are discussions of authors who influenced him (Walter Scott and Edgar Allen Poe amoung others) and intelligent analysis of what makes his stories and novels so good. These discussions of his literary works are fair-minded, with the biographer willing to point out faults when he sees them while still recognizing the overall superb quality of Doyle's work.
It's pretty well-known that Doyle considered his historical novels such as "The White Company" his best work and was often annoyed that Sherlock Holmes overshadowed his other work. But Holmes brought him fame and fortune and the Great Detective even refused to stay dead after Doyle tried to kill him off.
We also learn that Doyle eventually became a skilled speaker and took up causes he felt important. On several occasions, he helped get someone falsely convicted freed from prison. Another example came just before World War I, when he gave a prescient warning about the dangers of submarine warfare.
The last chapters concentrate on the cause that took up the last few decades of his life--his embracing of spiritualism. I like how well the biographer handles this--pointing out that Doyle had become too credulous in accepting claims made by dubious mediums and enthusiastically accepting things such as the Collingley Fairies hoax as real. But Doyle's inherent sense of honor and honesty are never forgotten. Just about everyone who met him--whatever their opinions on spiritualism--liked and respected him. The biographer is as even-handed as possible from start to finish.
Whatever any of our opinions about how Doyle spent his last years, he was without question one of the greatest teller of tales who ever lived.
July 12, 2023
I don't often read biographies, on the basis that often it is best not to 'meet' your heroes. Particularly author heroes, or authors of fictional heroes, where knowledge of the human reality behind the pen can temper subsequent enjoyment of the fiction. However, I have to say that I enjoyed this biography, and its generally sympathetic approach means that I doubt it will mean that I enjoy reading Sherlock Holmes stories any less. It also inspires me to read some of his other work, particularly his historical adventure stories. It was a shame though to learn that ACD could never quite be happy with the disproportionate impact of Holmes compared to his other works, or give himself enough credit for creating one of the truly great literary inventions. The later part of his life was sad too, essentially dedicated to the doomed cause of spreading his belief in spiritualism. But it was certainly a life well led, and the author does a very good job bringing him to life on the biographical page.
January 15, 2021
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is best known as the creator of the inimitable Sherlock Holmes and the infamous Dr. Watson, he of the migrating war wound. However, his literary output was astonishing, mind-blowing even: histories, plays, romances, pamphlets championing injustice, and, unfortunately, spiritualism and even, alas, the existence of fairies. However, who else could possibly have written this dialog, from “The Adventure of Silver Blaze”, first published in 1892:
Gregory (Scotland Yard detective): Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?
Holmes: To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.
Gregory: The dog did nothing in the night-time.
Holmes: That was the curious incident.
Daniel Stashower has done a magnificent job of detailing Sir Arthur’s life and writings. It dovetailed very nicely with the novel “Ragtime”, which I just read two weeks ago.
Gregory (Scotland Yard detective): Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?
Holmes: To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.
Gregory: The dog did nothing in the night-time.
Holmes: That was the curious incident.
Daniel Stashower has done a magnificent job of detailing Sir Arthur’s life and writings. It dovetailed very nicely with the novel “Ragtime”, which I just read two weeks ago.
January 7, 2018
Išsami, stora, (pa)skaitoma biografija apie žmogų, nelabai norėjusį istorijoje liktų tik Šerloko Holmso autoriumi, tad iki gyvenimo pabaigos mėginusį įsitverti ko nors reikšmingesnio. Principingą, net jei tai grėsdavo kone visuotine pajuoka.
Kad į gyvenimo pabaigą susižavėjo spiritizmu - teko girdėti, bet nesitikėjau, jog iki tokio lygio. Graudi "fėjų" istorija, balansavimas ant saviapgaulės ribos. Kartais toks įspūdis, kad tiek jis, tiek visa aplinka tiesiog turėjo į valias laiko - o tuomet mirusiųjų šnabždesius išgirsi net medžių ošime.
Ko gero, kaip ir daugelis, jaučiu dėkingumą, kad susilaikė į spiritizmo pinkles, matyt intuityviai, neįpainiojęs Šerloko.
Regiu, kad buvo gerai įvertinta, laimėjusi daug premijų, bet retsykiais reikėdavo prisiversti skaityti toliau. Nedaug, bet prisiversti - tarytum automobilį, silpnesniu motoriuku stumtelti į kalniuką.
Kad į gyvenimo pabaigą susižavėjo spiritizmu - teko girdėti, bet nesitikėjau, jog iki tokio lygio. Graudi "fėjų" istorija, balansavimas ant saviapgaulės ribos. Kartais toks įspūdis, kad tiek jis, tiek visa aplinka tiesiog turėjo į valias laiko - o tuomet mirusiųjų šnabždesius išgirsi net medžių ošime.
Ko gero, kaip ir daugelis, jaučiu dėkingumą, kad susilaikė į spiritizmo pinkles, matyt intuityviai, neįpainiojęs Šerloko.
Regiu, kad buvo gerai įvertinta, laimėjusi daug premijų, bet retsykiais reikėdavo prisiversti skaityti toliau. Nedaug, bet prisiversti - tarytum automobilį, silpnesniu motoriuku stumtelti į kalniuką.
August 26, 2017
I thought Stashower gave a balanced portrayal of ACD, drawing attention to both his admirable qualities and his faults. I knew very little about his life before I began reading it, and Stashower does an excellent job of building suspense, which made reading this often as engaging and entertaining as a novel. Ultimately I finished this book wanting to learn even more about ACD. I was particularly fascinated by ACD's written correspondences. Stashower frequently quotes from letters that ACD wrote, and the style of his letters is always engaging and humorous. He seems to remain good natured and seemingly level-headed in his written correspondences throughout his entire life, despite (in my opinion) going absolutely mad at the end. I don't understand it; it's fascinating.
February 15, 2020
Years ago, I read "The Lost World" and was truly captivated by the story. Since then, I read novels and watched movies where Holmes and Watson resolved murders and mysteries. That said, I knew little of the other books that Conan Doyle wrote; thus, I enjoyed reading this biography as I got to know more about the life of Conan Doyle and his family but also got a perspective of the events that took place during the years his books were written. All of this definitely give another dimension about the tales this great author created.
June 21, 2020
I loved this book. While reading it, I bought a collection of "Raffles" stories that were written by Conan Doyle's brother-in-law E.W. Hornung (which I highly recommend), the Professor Challenger stories (that include "The Lost World"), and "The White Company." I already had the Brigadier Gerard stories.
Before reading the book I thought of Conan Doyle as just the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Now I have a greater appreciation for his work.
Before reading the book I thought of Conan Doyle as just the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Now I have a greater appreciation for his work.
July 28, 2023
An excellent biography of the author Arthur Conan Doyle who created Sherlock Holmes. I don’t normally read biographies and did not know much about ACD before reading this book, just that I loved Sherlock Holmes.
He was a remarkable man who lived a very full life, lots of change, hardships and growths. The writing was for the most part well thought out and clear that the author did their research, but at times got repetitive, which is why I didn’t give it 4 or 5 stars.
He was a remarkable man who lived a very full life, lots of change, hardships and growths. The writing was for the most part well thought out and clear that the author did their research, but at times got repetitive, which is why I didn’t give it 4 or 5 stars.
September 9, 2023
Daniel Stashower's Teller of Tales is a well-written biography of the author Arthur Conan Doyle, covering Doyle's early life and upbringing admit difficult conditions, his work as a doctor, his literary career as creator of Sherlock Holmes among other characters, and his promotion of spiritualism. Stashower also details Doyle's involvement with politics and a series of criminal cases. I found Teller of Tales thoroughly enjoyable.
July 9, 2022
An engaging biography of a favorite author
Knowing Conan Doyle mostly from the Sherlock Holmes stories, it was enlightening to learn of his other writing and, sadly, his venture into Spiritualism.
Knowing Conan Doyle mostly from the Sherlock Holmes stories, it was enlightening to learn of his other writing and, sadly, his venture into Spiritualism.
September 17, 2017
Interesting insight into Sir Arthur's life. A little known fact is he sailed from Peterhead, which is a town 45 minutes away by car. And he also was at Peterhead prison also.
May 13, 2021
The best Conan Doyle biography since John Dickson Carr's.
May 16, 2023
Very good. Highly recommended.
August 4, 2023
It was interesting to learn a few things about the author of one of my favorite detectives. Lots of information in these pages.
December 20, 2017
I was looking for, a non-fiction biography of Arthur Conan Doyle, one that does not treat Sherlock Holmes as a real person. This book won the 1999 Edgar (Allan Poe) Award for Best Biographical Work and came highly recommended. It is not one of the books that indulges in the fantasy that Conan Doyle was just a literary agent who helped Dr. Watson get his stories published.
I knew very little about Arthur Conan Doyle before reading this book so it was interesting to find out how many of the 19th century's authors and other prominent people knew him and were friends with each other. The index is practically Who's Who of the 19th and very early 20th centuries. It is funny to imagine Conan Doyle hanging with Oscar Wilde.
The Teller of Tales opens with a Preface and an Introduction that I should have skipped. They almost form a very short summary of the book as well as an apology for Conan Doyle being nothing like Sherlock Holmes. Conan Doyle himself is quoted as saying "The doll and it's maker are never identical." And that is only too true in this case. But it would have been easier to have come to that realization in the course of reading the book rather than have it splashed on me like acid in the Preface.
There is a trade-off in the absence of footnotes. On one hand, it is easy to read apace, unhindered by citations or references to sources. On the other hand, the reader is left to guess how the author came to certain conclusions. For example: that Agatha Christie had "mixed feelings" about Conan Doyle involving himself in the search when she went missing (he consulted a psychic) and that Conan Doyle's first wife was totally unaware of his although it was apparently common knowledge on the street. I marked it as a "spoiler" in case you are the other person who didn't know.
I am wondering now if The Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle: A Biography might have been a better choice.
Note to author: Influenza is a virus so it is pretty much totally indifferent to antibiotics (Page 126) which is why about 36,000 people still die from it every year. Which means the author is just about as good a doctor as A.C.D.
I knew very little about Arthur Conan Doyle before reading this book so it was interesting to find out how many of the 19th century's authors and other prominent people knew him and were friends with each other. The index is practically Who's Who of the 19th and very early 20th centuries. It is funny to imagine Conan Doyle hanging with Oscar Wilde.
The Teller of Tales opens with a Preface and an Introduction that I should have skipped. They almost form a very short summary of the book as well as an apology for Conan Doyle being nothing like Sherlock Holmes. Conan Doyle himself is quoted as saying "The doll and it's maker are never identical." And that is only too true in this case. But it would have been easier to have come to that realization in the course of reading the book rather than have it splashed on me like acid in the Preface.
There is a trade-off in the absence of footnotes. On one hand, it is easy to read apace, unhindered by citations or references to sources. On the other hand, the reader is left to guess how the author came to certain conclusions. For example: that Agatha Christie had "mixed feelings" about Conan Doyle involving himself in the search when she went missing (he consulted a psychic) and that Conan Doyle's first wife was totally unaware of his although it was apparently common knowledge on the street. I marked it as a "spoiler" in case you are the other person who didn't know.
I am wondering now if The Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle: A Biography might have been a better choice.
Note to author: Influenza is a virus so it is pretty much totally indifferent to antibiotics (Page 126) which is why about 36,000 people still die from it every year. Which means the author is just about as good a doctor as A.C.D.
July 16, 2018
This was an excellent overview of Conan Doyle's life, with a relatively positive view of the man. I appreciated the positive view of Conan Doyle because I am (as I imagine most readers are) a fan of Conan Doyle and his work. Conan Doyle had his faults but also many achievements aside from his writing, so I think this biography did a good job balancing the two. It was positive while not skipping over the faults.
There was plenty of material about Holmes and Conan Doyle's non-spiritualist works, which I enjoyed more than the spiritualist side. Although I'm not that interested in Conan Doyle's spiritualist works or activities, that area of his life was handled well and with sensitivity, without glossing over the obvious problems with the movement and Conan Doyle's apparent gullibility.
I think this may have been written before revelations about Conan Doyle's (mis)treatment of his first daughter, Mary Louise, and evidence that Conan Doyle did have an affair with his eventual second wife before his first wife died. I wish that this biography had covered those details too, although they obviously do not make Conan Doyle look great.
There was plenty of material about Holmes and Conan Doyle's non-spiritualist works, which I enjoyed more than the spiritualist side. Although I'm not that interested in Conan Doyle's spiritualist works or activities, that area of his life was handled well and with sensitivity, without glossing over the obvious problems with the movement and Conan Doyle's apparent gullibility.
I think this may have been written before revelations about Conan Doyle's (mis)treatment of his first daughter, Mary Louise, and evidence that Conan Doyle did have an affair with his eventual second wife before his first wife died. I wish that this biography had covered those details too, although they obviously do not make Conan Doyle look great.
February 13, 2016
I am not ashamed to say I was riveted to the reading of this biography about one of the best writers of the 19th century (and into the 20th). The writing style of Stashower is unmatched by any of the numerous biographies read (by myself) in the past. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would have their interests (on the life of Conan Doyle) met and satisfied on many different levels. I think it is the author's way of taking what could have been a very straightforward and boringly told story, and then offering it up in a way as to hold the attention.
To top it all, this is a wonderful period piece, a bonus.
To top it all, this is a wonderful period piece, a bonus.
September 15, 2011
I knew nothing of the life of Arthur Conan Doyle before reading this book. An amazing life. Conan Doyle's adventures kept me enthralled. Plus, the writing of Mr. Stashower was so natural, like I was sitting before a gifted story teller. Part of the time I listened to the audiobook. The narrator added another dimension. I had to read the last third, because the audiobook had to go back to the library. But even simply reading instead of hearing was a pleasure. Although the writing kept me going, the most enjoyable part of the book was discovering what a full life Conan Doyle lived.
April 7, 2014
afterlife communication, ½ formed brain makes for ½ formed God, eliminate impossible remains truth, stories from details, data data can‘t make bricks without clay, abandon church belief psychic, 1891 strong women, self-delusion and deception, 2 white lies permitted, play fast and loose with truth, Sodom and Gomorrah ending late20’s, theory psychic and more immune from proof or not, know vs belief.
December 19, 2011
A rather facile biography of Doyle. You learn things, but it seems to lack depth. Honestly, Mr. Stashower how do you know what Doyle's first didn't know?
Not quite what Arthur & George put in mind for.
Not quite what Arthur & George put in mind for.
November 1, 2018
Always heard about Doyle and so eventually wanted to read a biography. This one was well written and interesting and didn't drag on. Gave me a good insight into the man who brought the world Holmes and many other wonderful stories. Also intrigued by his mysticism and how he struggle just to remain a simple man and doctor among all the fame.
April 25, 2015
A very shallow biography of Conan Doyle. Stylistically it was hard to stay with the flow of the narrative. Some good biographical information but I wouldn't recommend it. There must be a better biography out there somewhere.
October 3, 2009
bit of a snoozer, but adds a piece to that period of writers
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews