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Sweeney Todd: The Real Story of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Sweeney Todd, the notorious Demon Barber, has been called the greatest mass murderer in English history. With the aid of an ingenious revolving chair and a cut-throat razor, he is said to have robbed and butchered more than 160 victims in his barber shop in Fleet Street, before taking the remains to nearby Bell Yard where his accomplice, Margery Lovett, cooked their flesh for her meat pies. Despite being as infamous in London's history as Jack the Ripper, Todd's story has been almost completely ignored by historians. In this definitive biography, Peter Haining delves into the grim underworld of London 150 years ago to expose the man behind the myth. Separating fact from fiction, he reveals a gruesome and bizarre story with a unique criminal heart.
197 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
12 people are currently reading
806 people want to read
About the author
Peter Haining
331 books99 followersPeter Alexander Haining was an English journalist, author and anthologist who lived and worked in Suffolk. Born in Enfield, Middlesex, he began his career as a reporter in Essex and then moved to London where he worked on a trade magazine before joining the publishing house of New English Library.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
Haining achieved the position of Editorial Director before becoming a full time writer in the early Seventies. He edited a large number of anthologies, predominantly of horror and fantasy short stories, wrote non-fiction books on a variety of topics from the Channel Tunnel to Sweeney Todd and also used the pen names "Ric Alexander" and "Richard Peyton" on a number of crime story anthologies. In the Seventies he wrote three novels, including The Hero (1973), which was optioned for filming.
In two controversial books, Haining argued that Sweeney Todd was a real historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800, was tried in December 1801, and was hanged in January 1802. However, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. A check of the website Old Bailey at for "Associated Records 1674-1834" for an alleged trial in December 1801 and hanging of Sweeney Todd for January 1802 show no reference; in fact the only murder trial for this period is that of a Governor/Lt Col. Joseph Wall who was hanged 28 January 1802 for killing a Benjamin Armstrong 10 July 1782 in "Goree" Africa and the discharge of a Humphrey White in January 1802. Strong reservations have also been expressed regarding the reliability of another of Haining's influential non-fiction works, The Legend and Bizarre Crimes of Spring Heeled Jack.
He wrote several reference books on Doctor Who, including the 20th anniversary special Doctor Who: A Celebration Two Decades Through Time and Space (1983), and also wrote the definitive study of Sherlock Holmes on the screen, The Television Sherlock Holmes (1991) and several other television tie-ins featuring famous literary characters, including Maigret, Poirot and James Bond. Peter Haining's most recent project was a series of World War Two stories based on extensive research and personal interviews: The Jail That Went To Sea (2003), The Mystery of Rommel's Gold (2004), Where The Eagle Landed (2004), The Chianti Raiders (2005) and The Banzai Hunters (2007).
He won the British Fantasy Awards Karl Edward Wagner Award in 2001.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 20, 2008
The problem is with this book is that it claims to tell the real story of Sweeney Todd and says that 25 years of research went into it. Haining asserts that Todd was a real person citing dates and the like but doesn't back this up.
In no way is this a well researched book - there is no bibliography or documentation that one would expect in anything classing itself as a non-fiction work dealing with history.
Poorly written and its seems no one proof read it as there are some glaring mistakes.
Happily I obtained this via a library so I didn't pay anything for it.
In no way is this a well researched book - there is no bibliography or documentation that one would expect in anything classing itself as a non-fiction work dealing with history.
Poorly written and its seems no one proof read it as there are some glaring mistakes.
Happily I obtained this via a library so I didn't pay anything for it.
October 9, 2008
Sweeney Todd’s crimes struck horror into the hearts of eighteenth century Londoners, and continue to chill and fascinate two hundred years later. According to the legend, Todd was a barber with a grimy shop on Fleet Street. When solitary victims settled into his chair for a shave, the ‘Demon Barber’ would pull a lever that opened the floor beneath the chair and pitched them into the dark cellar below. If the fall did not kill them, he would cut their throats, and then help himself to their valuables. Todd disposed of the bodies with help from accomplice Margery Lovett, who baked their flesh into meat pies that she sold in her Bell Yard shop. The nightmare pair claimed over 160 victims before authorities stepped in and brought their spree to a halt.
The unbelievable victim count, the fantastic revolving chair, and the two centuries that have passed since he cut his last victim’s throat have led crime historians to question whether or not Sweeney Todd really existed. Even the flesh-into-pie method of concealing his crimes has a Grimms aura of unreality about it. Peter Haining attempted to set the record straight in this book, which was originally published in 1993, and re-released in 2007 in the wake of the popular film starring Johnny Depp. He doesn’t fully succeed.
‘Sweeney Todd: the Real Story of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ is a well-written account of both the Demon Barber’s deeds and the London that he lived in. But the problem is that Haining does not list his sources. In 1993 footnotes were not the norm outside of academic texts, but authors usually compensated by identifying source material in the book itself i.e. “According to the People’s Periodical of November 1, 1846…” We’re given a lot of intriguing information that cannot be verified. Haining describes Todd’s trial and execution in vivid detail, yet neither event appears in the official records. Discriminating readers are left with a sense of hollow enjoyment. We want to trust such an entertaining book, but we can’t.
This could have been a five star book, but the sense of uncertainty it leaves me with forces me to accord only three.
The unbelievable victim count, the fantastic revolving chair, and the two centuries that have passed since he cut his last victim’s throat have led crime historians to question whether or not Sweeney Todd really existed. Even the flesh-into-pie method of concealing his crimes has a Grimms aura of unreality about it. Peter Haining attempted to set the record straight in this book, which was originally published in 1993, and re-released in 2007 in the wake of the popular film starring Johnny Depp. He doesn’t fully succeed.
‘Sweeney Todd: the Real Story of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ is a well-written account of both the Demon Barber’s deeds and the London that he lived in. But the problem is that Haining does not list his sources. In 1993 footnotes were not the norm outside of academic texts, but authors usually compensated by identifying source material in the book itself i.e. “According to the People’s Periodical of November 1, 1846…” We’re given a lot of intriguing information that cannot be verified. Haining describes Todd’s trial and execution in vivid detail, yet neither event appears in the official records. Discriminating readers are left with a sense of hollow enjoyment. We want to trust such an entertaining book, but we can’t.
This could have been a five star book, but the sense of uncertainty it leaves me with forces me to accord only three.
January 7, 2008
i have been a fan of this story since i saw angela lansbury do it in new york 20 years ago. i've seen it done locally as well, and am THRILLED that a movie has been produced. johnny depp is an EXCELLENT sweeny.
May 9, 2023
Haining's version of events purported to be the true story of Sweeney Todd is hard to believe. His sources are unverified by any contemporary scholars, as far as I can tell. He refers to the Newgate Calendar often, but that is hard to track down as several publications have taken that name over the years. Also, from what I've seen the Newgate Calendar, as was the case for many (or even most) Victorian newspapers, was extremely prone to sensationalist embellishment. A good number of his claims have no citation at all, and he even cites passages from the penny dreadful as if they were fact. What he claims to be indisputable evidence is actually of questionable veracity. Haining's account of Todd's doings reads like historical fiction. Literally. It was immediately apparent that he let his imagination take hold of what is supposed to be objective.
I added a star because his chapters on modern adaptations are useful and better-cited. However, considering the unimpressive scholarship in first half of the book, I can't help but doubt.
I added a star because his chapters on modern adaptations are useful and better-cited. However, considering the unimpressive scholarship in first half of the book, I can't help but doubt.
December 2, 2018
Oddly charming book positing the idea that Sweeney Todd actually existed.
I went in doubtful, came out convinced that Peter Haining's research had born fruit.
An interesting, if somewhat unusual, read.
Highly recommended.
I went in doubtful, came out convinced that Peter Haining's research had born fruit.
An interesting, if somewhat unusual, read.
Highly recommended.
September 19, 2011
This book could be recommended to:
History Buffs : The author took great lengths to assemble historical records and cross reference them with detailed graphic depictions of what was going on in London at the time. The complete bibliography at the back of the book is worth looking into. Those doing research on their own will learn why certain parts of history really are hard to come by and how you can find new avenues of research.
Steampunk fans: Children of the Nineteenth and Eighteenth century did not go to band camp to get away from their abusive drunk parents. They went to the tower of London where the guards delighted in showing kids how their torture devices worked (on incarcerated people, or just explaining, not torturing kids). Several contraptions and devices are elaborated on in this book, not to mention the origins of barber devices. Those who wish to write steam punk will find lots of inspiration from this book in creating a convincing villain.
True Crime Readers: In researching the real Sweeney Todd, Mr. Haining ran across several other cannibals and murderers the tale could have started from. These tails and historic accounts are almost more chilling to read than that of the real Todd. Fans (could you call them that?) of Jack the Ripper will appreciate the fact that this author ties in the two characters and just like the ripper crimes, he explains what is in the locations now in present day London. It is also worth learning about the evolution of the British police force.
High-Brow Literature Geeks: Learn where the origins of many characters have come from by learning about the disgusting habits of old London. Also read about the evolution of the Newspapers of England from the Penny Dreadfuls, to tabloid-esque newsletters of the goings on inside prisons to the modern day papers.
Sickos who enjoy of-all-things BROADWAY MUSICALS: Yeah. You can read it too.
History Buffs : The author took great lengths to assemble historical records and cross reference them with detailed graphic depictions of what was going on in London at the time. The complete bibliography at the back of the book is worth looking into. Those doing research on their own will learn why certain parts of history really are hard to come by and how you can find new avenues of research.
Steampunk fans: Children of the Nineteenth and Eighteenth century did not go to band camp to get away from their abusive drunk parents. They went to the tower of London where the guards delighted in showing kids how their torture devices worked (on incarcerated people, or just explaining, not torturing kids). Several contraptions and devices are elaborated on in this book, not to mention the origins of barber devices. Those who wish to write steam punk will find lots of inspiration from this book in creating a convincing villain.
True Crime Readers: In researching the real Sweeney Todd, Mr. Haining ran across several other cannibals and murderers the tale could have started from. These tails and historic accounts are almost more chilling to read than that of the real Todd. Fans (could you call them that?) of Jack the Ripper will appreciate the fact that this author ties in the two characters and just like the ripper crimes, he explains what is in the locations now in present day London. It is also worth learning about the evolution of the British police force.
High-Brow Literature Geeks: Learn where the origins of many characters have come from by learning about the disgusting habits of old London. Also read about the evolution of the Newspapers of England from the Penny Dreadfuls, to tabloid-esque newsletters of the goings on inside prisons to the modern day papers.
Sickos who enjoy of-all-things BROADWAY MUSICALS: Yeah. You can read it too.
June 18, 2012
Originally, I had this in my 'true crime' shelf, but had to remove it from there after my reading of the first few chapters. Although Haining tries to pass this off as a researched account proving that Sweeney Todd did truly exist in London, he fails abysmally. The writing is not terrible, and many of the facts about London culture were interesting. However, Haining fails to provide any evidence that what he claims as fact did actually occur. The first half of the book is a confused mix of "this is why Todd has to have existed", and undocumented but extremely detailed events that supposedly occurred in his lifetime, even though Haining does not mention sources or actually come to the believable conclusion that he was not a figment of fiction.
The second half of the book is devoted, not to Sweeney Todd's life and crimes, but to the media adaptations that took place through the 19th and 20th century. These are not organized chronologically; Haining jumps from a 1940's movie adaptation back to the 1800's and the first novel and back to play and then over to the introduction of the story in American culture without rhyme or reason. In addition, he packs the second half with unnecessary and unrelated facts (the entire page detailing how the actor who was famous for playing Todd went bankrupt and then died was my personal favourite), which are utterly mind-numbing.
The book read like a 'true account' of Roswell, or Big Foot sightings and not the researched historical account I was interested in. I suggest no one interested in true crime read this. If you are looking for an account of the legend and the media portrayal, choose another book that focuses on that aspect, as this author's continuous and unfounded claims of the 'truth' of the man will most likely grate your nerves, as it did mine.
I quit reading this book on chapter 17, and it therefore has been added to my 'incomplete' shelf.
The second half of the book is devoted, not to Sweeney Todd's life and crimes, but to the media adaptations that took place through the 19th and 20th century. These are not organized chronologically; Haining jumps from a 1940's movie adaptation back to the 1800's and the first novel and back to play and then over to the introduction of the story in American culture without rhyme or reason. In addition, he packs the second half with unnecessary and unrelated facts (the entire page detailing how the actor who was famous for playing Todd went bankrupt and then died was my personal favourite), which are utterly mind-numbing.
The book read like a 'true account' of Roswell, or Big Foot sightings and not the researched historical account I was interested in. I suggest no one interested in true crime read this. If you are looking for an account of the legend and the media portrayal, choose another book that focuses on that aspect, as this author's continuous and unfounded claims of the 'truth' of the man will most likely grate your nerves, as it did mine.
I quit reading this book on chapter 17, and it therefore has been added to my 'incomplete' shelf.
February 16, 2015
Lo que menos me gusta en este mundo es atacar a otros colegas escritores, menos aún si como en el caso del Sr. Haining, han pasado a mejor vida. Opino que no hay reglas a la hora de escribir un libro, cualquier fórmula es buena, ya que a fin de cuentas todos los escritores "mentimos" a nuestros lectores contándoles historias que no son ciertas.
El drama viene cuando un escritor quiere hacer pasar por cierta una historia inventada, y se basa en argumentos, en pruebas que simplemente provienen de su imaginación, únicamente con el objetivo de ganar reconocimiento y obtener ventas. No hay nada de "Real Story" en el ensayo de Haining. Ningún hombre llamado Todd fue encarcelado en la prisión de Newgate y ahorcado en Tyburn.
Sweeney Todd se basa en una leyenda urbana francesa de más de cuatrocientos años de antigüedad, la leyenda de "La Posada de los Tres Reyes" de París.
El drama viene cuando un escritor quiere hacer pasar por cierta una historia inventada, y se basa en argumentos, en pruebas que simplemente provienen de su imaginación, únicamente con el objetivo de ganar reconocimiento y obtener ventas. No hay nada de "Real Story" en el ensayo de Haining. Ningún hombre llamado Todd fue encarcelado en la prisión de Newgate y ahorcado en Tyburn.
Sweeney Todd se basa en una leyenda urbana francesa de más de cuatrocientos años de antigüedad, la leyenda de "La Posada de los Tres Reyes" de París.
May 15, 2015
Okay, so when I picked this book up, I was expecting a novel. 1st person point of view, 3rd person, I didn't know. Or care, really. The first three chapters though, were something I thought to be an author's note of some sort, but I read it anyway. It was the beginning of the fourth chapter, however, that I realized it was not a novel, but rather, a biography. And upon this discovery, I put together the facts that a biography is a work written about someone by someone else. NOT FICTION. Learning all this to be fact, I'm now quite eager to go to London to see many of the famous landmarks associated with the legend of Sweeney Todd.
July 31, 2008
This is not the version of Sweeney Todd seen in the film, and based on the victorian play which was romanticised by adding the young lovers.
This is based on information in the Newgate calender, other documentation of the 1800's and local folklore and knowledge of the area of Temple Bar.
It's interesting reading, although I did enjoy the latest film this is the more believeable version for me.
This is based on information in the Newgate calender, other documentation of the 1800's and local folklore and knowledge of the area of Temple Bar.
It's interesting reading, although I did enjoy the latest film this is the more believeable version for me.
January 22, 2015
A thorough and entertaining account of the Demon Barber based on the Newgate Calender publications of the 1800's and not the romanticized Victorian version. This is a candid look at the man behind the legend giving the how, where and whens of his crimes, trial and execution and how Todd has influenced popular culture ever since. The only flaw is the lack of source identification and so the reader is left wondering how much is real and how much is conjecture.
April 14, 2017
A really good read, taking the opposing viewpoint to Mack's "The Wonderful And Suprising History Of Sweeney Todd," and intriguingly USES EXACTLY THE SAME EVIDENCE TO PROVE HIS THESIS -- that Sweeney Todd was not an urban legend but a real, live person. he has all kinds of facts, figures and dates with citations. Not quite as absorbingly written as Mack's, but more dramatic and far more grisly, which is always good for me.
March 17, 2008
Quick read - good for the rainy days. I have done the "Ripper walk" in London more than i care to admit (used to be a tour guide there.
Had I of actually listened to my peers and read this book when it was given to me in 1998 - I would have been all over Fleet Street. Dark, vicious, and forbiding - the best of London.
Had I of actually listened to my peers and read this book when it was given to me in 1998 - I would have been all over Fleet Street. Dark, vicious, and forbiding - the best of London.
December 28, 2012
I must admit that I always thought the character of Sweeney Todd was nothing more than a figment of a warped imagination, used to scare children or produce a strange play and an even stranger motion picture. As with all of Peter Hainings books, it is well written and researched. If you like horror/thriller, true-crime books, this is the one for you. Just don't read it at the dinner table.
March 31, 2023
Very cool to learn he was a real dude.
November 8, 2017
I never review books, but I wanted to put up a note about this one. I bought it a few years back and was thinking that it would be an interesting read as I didn't know Sweeney Todd was based on a true story. Come to find out when I started to read Haining's book, that it is indeed not true at all. At best the story of Sweeney Todd is based off of other true life criminals, and at worst it is a complete fabrication. As many of my fellow readers have mentioned, Haining states that the book is a true story and frames it as being highly researched. However, it lacks even one footnote or solid piece of reference. I was also extremely annoyed at the numerous typos throughout the book that even an amateur editor should have caught... unless they were left in on purpose as some reviewers have implied. But then I can't say I understand the point of writing sloppily on purpose.
I was set to give this book 1 star, which is unusual for me being that I am fairly easy to please. But after reading the author's final note (Envoi) that was made for the newer publications of the book (the edition I read was copyrighted in 2007), I am wondering if the author wasn't playing with the notion of Todd being a real person in order to sell the book. It made me admire that he was perhaps he wasn't just poor at research, but maybe simply wanted to profit off the Todd legend and did so spectacularly (hey, I bought the book after all).
So in the Envoi Haining states, "The man who apparently never was - it seems - still possesses after all these years the notoriety, the charisma and above all the sense of mystery about him, to appeal to each succeeding generation". The wording of that sentence is kind of strange! It is misleading, possibly, as well. Is Haining saying that he never thought Todd was real? Is he just being sarcastic here? I am not sure! That tongue in cheek mystery left me liking the book better than I had before, because if the author is admitting that he never existed or is at least suggesting that it isn't 100% factual, then I can respect that. But given the lack of academic evidence or even a better bibliography, it still doesn't rate high on the roster of books that I would recommend.
Proceed with caution expecting a deep history that is of questionable source and even more questionable editing.
I was set to give this book 1 star, which is unusual for me being that I am fairly easy to please. But after reading the author's final note (Envoi) that was made for the newer publications of the book (the edition I read was copyrighted in 2007), I am wondering if the author wasn't playing with the notion of Todd being a real person in order to sell the book. It made me admire that he was perhaps he wasn't just poor at research, but maybe simply wanted to profit off the Todd legend and did so spectacularly (hey, I bought the book after all).
So in the Envoi Haining states, "The man who apparently never was - it seems - still possesses after all these years the notoriety, the charisma and above all the sense of mystery about him, to appeal to each succeeding generation". The wording of that sentence is kind of strange! It is misleading, possibly, as well. Is Haining saying that he never thought Todd was real? Is he just being sarcastic here? I am not sure! That tongue in cheek mystery left me liking the book better than I had before, because if the author is admitting that he never existed or is at least suggesting that it isn't 100% factual, then I can respect that. But given the lack of academic evidence or even a better bibliography, it still doesn't rate high on the roster of books that I would recommend.
Proceed with caution expecting a deep history that is of questionable source and even more questionable editing.
June 6, 2022
I didn't finish, and I suggest you don't even start. I read more than half, so I'm counting it toward my 2022 challenge. Just try to stop me. :D
This is supposedly the "real" story of Sweeney Todd, but since Sweeney Todd wasn't real... There is no bibliography or reference section, so it doesn't even do a good job of pretending to be research. And the writing is terrible. This author was a journalist, but he didn't know that the past tense of "lead" is "led"? The cells of Newgate may have been dank, but I doubt they were "stiffling." I've heard of a "prerequisite" and a "perquisite," but never a "prequisite." "Inexorably" contains no H. Prisoners are hanged, not hung. (That's pictures and laundry.) What he calls "Fleet Fleet" is more likely "Fleet Street." "Doggerel" rhymes; I don't know what "doggrel" does. I stopped soon after "only the keen-eyed would every have noticed...." for the sake of my sanity.
This is supposedly the "real" story of Sweeney Todd, but since Sweeney Todd wasn't real... There is no bibliography or reference section, so it doesn't even do a good job of pretending to be research. And the writing is terrible. This author was a journalist, but he didn't know that the past tense of "lead" is "led"? The cells of Newgate may have been dank, but I doubt they were "stiffling." I've heard of a "prerequisite" and a "perquisite," but never a "prequisite." "Inexorably" contains no H. Prisoners are hanged, not hung. (That's pictures and laundry.) What he calls "Fleet Fleet" is more likely "Fleet Street." "Doggerel" rhymes; I don't know what "doggrel" does. I stopped soon after "only the keen-eyed would every have noticed...." for the sake of my sanity.
August 12, 2024
Sweeney Todd, the murderous barber of 186 Fleet Street, is the ultimate king of penny dreadful. In this excellent book with many illustrations, caricatures, reference to the Newgate Calendar and a fine photo section you learn his true story: life, legend, who the real Sweeney Todd was, his crimes, the world of Fleet Street and Temple, St Dunstan's Church, the human ghoul, victims of the fatal chair, the secret of the meat pies, the role of the Bow Street Runners, foul murder and the making of a legend, plays, films and a great appendix round the book with further gruesome murders. Of course I know all the places mentioned in this book and can highly recommend making a Sweeney Todd tour on Fleet Street, the most impressive street in the world. There are many places to be discovered. Highly recommended!
October 23, 2021
Though there is much debate about whether Sweeney Todd actually existed, Mr. Haining makes an intriguing case that he did. I might have given this three stars, if not for the many typos and grammatical errors riddled throughout the book. Also, almost the entire second half just relates to theatrical productions of the story, in which I am just not interested. I did enjoy the rest of the story, which related in great part to the living conditions of 18th century London. It would not be surprising to me that some poor people may have resorted to cannibalism to survive, there being no social services in those days.
November 2, 2023
Been wanting to read this for ages as I'm such a fan of the story and of course Tod Slaughter, it didn't disappoint.
Knew much but even so I learnt so much as well.
Fascinating and well researched into the history, did he exist, the actual places it happened, its influence on literature and the movies and those who portrayed him in stage and screen.
Including my hero since my teens the fantastic Tod Slaughter of whom I'm privileged to own his signature.
One of my fave reads this year.
Knew much but even so I learnt so much as well.
Fascinating and well researched into the history, did he exist, the actual places it happened, its influence on literature and the movies and those who portrayed him in stage and screen.
Including my hero since my teens the fantastic Tod Slaughter of whom I'm privileged to own his signature.
One of my fave reads this year.
January 22, 2019
This is an interesting nonfiction detailing the history of Sweeney Todd, delving into whether he is myth, legend, or actual murderous barber. At times it was a history of the era and not so much of Sweeney Todd.
August 29, 2017
Enjoyable enough once he stops trying to prove Sweeney was a real person. Some really questionable "research"
June 22, 2018
Interesting history behind the drama of screen and stage.
July 1, 2024
This book is very different from the type of books I normally read. I enjoyed reading a nonfiction book, but I did find it hard to concentrate on the text because it wasn't a story.
May 30, 2025
It was interesting to read, and gives some light to the idea that Sweeney Todd is a Jack the Ripper like figure in history and there is a possibility that there was someone out there doing something like this, but like all legends it has been exaggerated over time.
I am intrigued to do more research myself and see where it leads
I am intrigued to do more research myself and see where it leads
March 4, 2013
Sometimes I'm a little slow on popular culture. When the Sondheim musical on Sweeney Todd came out, it didn't seem to me such a big thing and I had never heard of Sweeney Todd. Of course, I did learn who he was and why he was famous.
THEN Johnny Depp made the movie with Tim Burton and I couldn't resist that team. Now I'm on the lookout for other Sweeney Todd stuff. Hence this book.
Haining has me convinced that Sweeney Todd really existed. But this book insists it is the REAL story of the man's life and death (not to mention his "life" in fiction, drama and film). But the quality of the book is really bad - misspellings, wrong typesettings, incorrect references, that it makes me doubt the author's claim of extensive research.
His bibliography is scarce and doesn't list any of the primary sources he says he reviewed. For instance, he says that it was impossible to get copies of the People's Periodical and Family Library (an old "literary magazine" dedicated to the working class - things just above penny dreadfuls) that even the British Library doesn't have copied and yet he suddenly finds a person with a complete set. This CAN happen, I know, but.....
Anyway, I would like to see a listing of those primary sources such as the above and the New Newgate Calendar, but Haining doesn't give us any way to access them.
He does do a fairly good job of putting us in the atmosphere of London of the mid 18th century however. And he extensively details how the Sweeney Todd legend grew from serial stories in the newspapers, to plays, to fiction and finally to the silver screen.
And the best part is that he ends with the Burton-Depp movie.....
THEN Johnny Depp made the movie with Tim Burton and I couldn't resist that team. Now I'm on the lookout for other Sweeney Todd stuff. Hence this book.
Haining has me convinced that Sweeney Todd really existed. But this book insists it is the REAL story of the man's life and death (not to mention his "life" in fiction, drama and film). But the quality of the book is really bad - misspellings, wrong typesettings, incorrect references, that it makes me doubt the author's claim of extensive research.
His bibliography is scarce and doesn't list any of the primary sources he says he reviewed. For instance, he says that it was impossible to get copies of the People's Periodical and Family Library (an old "literary magazine" dedicated to the working class - things just above penny dreadfuls) that even the British Library doesn't have copied and yet he suddenly finds a person with a complete set. This CAN happen, I know, but.....
Anyway, I would like to see a listing of those primary sources such as the above and the New Newgate Calendar, but Haining doesn't give us any way to access them.
He does do a fairly good job of putting us in the atmosphere of London of the mid 18th century however. And he extensively details how the Sweeney Todd legend grew from serial stories in the newspapers, to plays, to fiction and finally to the silver screen.
And the best part is that he ends with the Burton-Depp movie.....
April 12, 2013
i didn't really know much about Sweeney Todd before to be honest. i thought he was some sort of ghost barber or phantom ha. i was only interested in his story after watching the film adaption, which seems to be a sort of regular thing these days.
this book was actually pretty interesting and educational in terms of historical facts. i learnt a lot about well... murder. including other famous mass murderers such as Sweaney Beane and Fritzl. i didn't actually know there were so many ways to horrifically kill people, but then you learn something new everyday i guess.
the author gives a detailed insight in Todd's family background and his relationship with Ms Lovett. although the reader knows how horrific the crimes were before hand, the book is written in a way which enables you to be horrified over and over again. written from the perspective of those who were present during the time the crimes were taking p[lace and during the trial of Todd.
i would recommend the book to anyone who is interested in the surprisingly interesting history of the London underworld and crime in general.
this book was actually pretty interesting and educational in terms of historical facts. i learnt a lot about well... murder. including other famous mass murderers such as Sweaney Beane and Fritzl. i didn't actually know there were so many ways to horrifically kill people, but then you learn something new everyday i guess.
the author gives a detailed insight in Todd's family background and his relationship with Ms Lovett. although the reader knows how horrific the crimes were before hand, the book is written in a way which enables you to be horrified over and over again. written from the perspective of those who were present during the time the crimes were taking p[lace and during the trial of Todd.
i would recommend the book to anyone who is interested in the surprisingly interesting history of the London underworld and crime in general.
July 19, 2009
This book was a disappointment, not what I was expecting it to be. From the annotation on the back cover I expected it to be a scholarly historical work, with footnotes and such, making the case for Sweeney Todd's existence and chronicling what little is known of his life. Instead, the book provided a few chapters for Todd's life and crimes and his trial, then the second half focused on the impact Todd had on history and all the plays, musicals, etc., done about him. Which is fine if you like that sort of thing, but I had wanted something different. How does the author KNOW all that stuff he wrote about in the biography section actually happened? What are his sources? How do his sources "prove" Sweeney Todd existed? I'm not saying I don't think he existed, but I would like to have seen a lot more evidence and argument provided than what I got.
Read
July 26, 2011There's a cracking book to be written about Sweeney Todd, but unfortunately this isn't it. In fact, this is the kind of book that really irritates me - although it is obvious that Haining has done a lot of research on the subject, he doesn't seem to understand how to use it properly or edit it for relevance. This book is mostly badly written tosh, and it is also extremely badly edited and referenced; there are far too many examples of the lazy use of phrases like 'the evidence suggests' (what evidence? where's the reference?) and 'it is argued that' (argued by whom? in what context?) without demonstrating any proof along the way. The chapter on Todd's trial is, admittedly, vividly written and neatly quotes contemporary sources, but that's about the only good thing I can find to say about this book. Avoid.
September 4, 2015
Though the existence of Sweeney Todd is under debate, Peter Haining makes an interesting case for him. Most of his evidence is simply speculation, but it is an interesting read if you are interested in the real story and history of the Sweeney Todd tale.
One thing I found annoying about the book was that Haining often goes on unnecessary tangents that really have nothing to do with the tale of Sweeney Todd and don't help to prove his case - they are simply there.
But, other than that, I found the book interesting even if it didn't convince me that Sweeney Todd was once an actual person. Some of Haining's points are definitely worth considering and looking into.
If you are a history buff that takes an interested in crime and criminals of the past or simply are a fan of the Sweeney Todd tale and want to learn everything about it you can, this is a book you might like.
One thing I found annoying about the book was that Haining often goes on unnecessary tangents that really have nothing to do with the tale of Sweeney Todd and don't help to prove his case - they are simply there.
But, other than that, I found the book interesting even if it didn't convince me that Sweeney Todd was once an actual person. Some of Haining's points are definitely worth considering and looking into.
If you are a history buff that takes an interested in crime and criminals of the past or simply are a fan of the Sweeney Todd tale and want to learn everything about it you can, this is a book you might like.
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