Sherlock Holmes: The Man Who Never Lived And Will Never Die

by Alex Werner

Over 150 stunning archive photographs and paintings illustrate this mesmerising guide to London, seen through the eyes of Arthur Conan Doyle and his most famous character. Ever since his creation, Sherlock Holmes has continued to enthrall his readers and audiences: he is the world's favourite fiction detective and is indelibly linked to London. From the handsome cabs hurtling through the city streets and thick fogs shrouding long lines of terraced houses, this was Sherlock's London. It was a city at the nexus of a vast Empire and one of the wealthiest, largest and most populous of its day.

Through early film, photography, paintings and original artifacts, the book explores the real Victorian London which was the backdrop for many of Conan Doyle's stories. Richly illustrated by the museums unrivalled collection and authoritatively written by Alex Werner, David Cannadine and other leading authorities on London, this book appeals to anyone who loves this beguiling city and wants to explore it as it was when Sherlock Holmes was brought to life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, History, Biography, 21st Century

255 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2014

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading 'White Fire' by Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child I had to turn back to the real Sherlock Holmes and its author. Here you find many superb photos and pictures of famous London places. Besides there is much material on Doyle in London, reference to the Bohemian character, many maps and landmarks. A splendid volume! Must read for every Holmes, Doyle and London fan.

[Daina Valeine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Briljanta grāmata 19. gadsimta Londonas un Šerloka Holmsa cienītājiem! Aizraujošas fotogrāfijas no 19. gs Londonas dzīves, Konana - Doila mājvietas, Holmsa atainojums grāmatās, teātrī, filmās; raksti, vēstures liecības u.c. Viens no interesantākajiem man likās autentiskais "Strand" 1892. gada raksts "Diena ar Konanu Doilu" ar rakstnieka mājvietas un ģimenes foto, kā arī doktora Džozefa Bella vēstule par to, kā viņš vērtē savu saistību - sevi kā Šerloka Holmsa prototipu.

Visumā - īsta dārgumu krātuve!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to see the Sherlock Holmes Exhibition at the Museum of London in October 2014. It was a fantastic experience and one I'll always treasure. This book, the official companion to the exhibition, is filled with excellent essays, including some on the histories of both Sherlock Holmes and London and the many stage/screen/book adaptations over the years. If you love Sherlock Holmes and London, you will love this book.

[Siri Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherlock Holmes: The Man Who Never Lived And Will Never Die is a compilation of several shorter analyses and monographs on Sherlock Holmes and the late-Victorian society of which he was a part, spanning such subjects as depictions of late-Victorian London in contemporary art and Bohemianism. I found it an insightful, well-written and very entertaining read, diverting from the usual Sherlock Holmes analyses by focusing a whole lot more on society and culture than on fictional biography. As such, it actually contributed to my understanding of both the London depicted in Sherlock Holmes and the stories themselves, which is a noteworthy achievement when one takes into account that my obsession with all things Sherlock Holmes has been going on for several years. Recommended to anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes, London, Victorian England and everything in between.

[Roger Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the excellent Museum of London curated a special exhibition about Sherlock Holmes I expected this 2014 volume to be an illustrated guidebook. In fact it is a large volume of 256 pages of illustrated articles about many aspects of Sherlock Holmes by several distinguished contributors compiled by Alex Werner curator of the exhibition. A substantial edition to Sherlock Holmes scholarship it is a most excellent read containing much analysis and profusely illustrated. It is just a pity that I did not get the chance to visit the exhibition itself.

[Blasr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to rate it 3.5*.

It is a tie-in to the 2014/5 exhibition "Sherlock Homes - The Man Who Never Lived and Will Never Die" by The Museum of London. Given the sponsor, it is inevitable much of the book is about London.

Must admit I found the Preface (pp 7-12) and the Introduction (pp 13-56) overly long.

But there is some good research in the book and there are varied and excellent illustrations.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

It makes a great case for London being the 3rd character in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Lots of interesting and curious stuff in this volume

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book up in an Oxfam book shop when I was on holiday in Bristol, super interesting read! Amazing pictures from the original Sherlock Holmes stories published in the Strand Magazine.