12 Must Read Books On The Jack The Ripper Murders.
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- čas přidán 16. 06. 2024
- I was recently asked by a view to put together a list of books that are key to understanding the history behind the Jack the Ripper and Whitechapel murders.
It's a tough thing to do, as there are, after hall, hundreds, if not thousand of books on the case.
However, I rose to the challenge and, perusing my bookshelves, I select 12 books that I believe are essential reading for those interested in learning more about the case.
Inevitably, a selection such as this ends up being a personal choice, and so some people may wonder why I have left books off, whilst others might wonder why I have included a particular title.
I have steered clear of including any books about a particular suspect, since I honestly believe that, before you can go about assessing a suspects viability, you need to understand the case.
Please do feel free to leave your favourite books in the comment section below - although that's not an invitation to spam the page with endless links!
Anyway, I hope you find my list of 12 books on the Jack the Riper case and the history of the era useful.
Tom Westcott - Bank Holiday Murders was very good (as was Ripper Confidential).
I own a few of these titles myself, but you have left out one of the most important ones! The best one I have read on this case is "Jack the Ripper-The Casebook" by Richard Jones😉 The reproductions of police reports , letters from the killer, and a no nonsense approach makes this one of the best written books on the subject imo. If I could only take one Jack the Ripper book to a desert island, this would be the one for me! I would urge anyone with half an interest in this case to add this one to their collection...you won't regret it!👍
My Ripper fascination began in 1969 with "When London Walked in Terror." Tom Cullen's writing took me into the streets of London as he probed the murders.
Did you go to Whitechapel when it still looked at least somewhat like what it did in 1888?
Me too!
You are a true scholar. Thank you for including The Five.
I know the author received some horrific personal attacks from a section of "ripperologists" before the book was published, because they disagreed with the premise of focusing on the women instead of the predator.
The issue is more that the claims the book makes and promote are so ridiculous that it is really a book of fiction.
@@jakehammond12345 I don't see anything ridiculous about the claims or arguments being put forward in this book, please can you explain?
I’m absolutely no expert on the Jack the Ripper cases, but I had the privilege of translating The Five into Dutch. It’s one of these projects that will stay with me for a very long time. The respectful way she talks about these women really touched me and her conclusion is very moving. These women were women, and should not be used as objects to sustain a commercial system.
Thanks for the recommendations. ‘The Five’ is one I have been meaning to check out so it is comforting to know that somebody with your vast knowledge of the case is a fan.
It’s very good. The audio book is excellent.
It's excellent
Excellent choices! I have read ten out of twelve of those books and own eight.
Maybe not the top 12 but I'd recommend Steven Keogh's recent book - Murder Investigation Team: Jack the Ripper. It looks at it from the point of view of modern Scotland Yard detective and compares procedures. It's got an odd fictional narrative opening each chapter, but once it gets to the direct analysis it is very good and informative.
Don’t be modest Rich, why isn’t your book on this list. After all, this is the definitive JTR channel!
I hoped to see the Philip Sugden book on your list as it is one of my favourites on the subject of Jack the Ripper because he is respectful to the victims.
Thank you very much for this and thank you for all the comments of other titles
Not just a great video but a terrific resource in itself. Great stuff!
Thanks for all your input. I think all your videos are well-done and informative, not just the Whitechapel ones.
I think it is well-established I'm in Christer's Lechmere camp, but in my studies have noticed that several other researchers came before Christer and Ed (Derek Osborne, John Carey, Michael Connor, and David McNab). I'm wondering if it would be possible do a video with them. I think it would be fascinating to hear what these gentlemen have to say now that their initial research has resulted in a very good suspect. The fact is, none of us today would be looking at CAL if Derek Osborne hadn't done so first.
Maybe a round-robin discussion.
Again, thanks for all your research.
Great recommendations, Mr. Jones -- thank you!
Thank you very, very much Mr. Jones!
I truly appreciate your recommendations. It’s invaluable to me and to many of your loyal followers I’m sure.
The Complete History of Jack the Ripper by Philip Sugden is my favourite from the ones I've read and the one I always recommend to friends who want to read about the case.
And since we are on the subject of true crime, may I also recommend Wicked Beyond Belief: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper by Michael Bilton. It's brilliant and heartbreaking and unmissable.
100% agree on Sugden. When I finished it, I was ready to start right over again.
I would also recommend Philip Sugden's book on the ripper murders. It avoids a lot of the sensationalism and flights of fancy in many books on the subject and goes into detail over the facts of the case. It's an excellent read.
I had a copy of Donald Rumbelow's "The Complete Jack the Ripper," but I left it in the laundry room of my appt bldg. When I remembered and went back, it was gone. I hope maybe it sparked someone's interest in the subject.
Fantastic list! I can't wait to read the list!!
Love this, it's like hearing a professional guided a tour of my bookshelf! (I don't own Flanders' Dickens London book, but my daughter has it...)
Got Rumbelow in 1988 for Christmas after watching the ITV Drama, and thinking, "That seems a bit silly..." Definitely started my journey.
I'm not normally that bothered by books that focus primarily on the C5, I prefer to look at The Whitechapel Murders in a broader context but Rubenhold's book is excellent.
The Complete A to Z should be a dog eared, tatty thing on the desk of anyone seriously interested in the Whitechapel Murders.
I've got Bell's Bobby Book, but it's one of many books I own that I've never sat down and absorbed, only skimmed it... I need to give it more attention.
While not quite on the "Essential" or "Must Read!" I'd also add one of my personal favourites; Tom Wescott's "The Bank Holiday Murders" aside from the research and informative side of his books, I just really like Tom's writing style.
Excellent rundown of books! Thanks for this Richard it varied enough to suit all tastes too 👏👍
What? No "Prince Jack" on the list? 😯 Just kidding of course. Someone gave me that decades ago, insisting that I would be convinced. It was painful, but I forced myself through it. One of the most absurd fantasy novels I have ever read.
Thanks for the great recommendations, Mr. Jones, some of which I was not familiar with. I have more to add to my collection now, but never enough reading time available. I do agree with caveman3021 below, however. No doubt due to modesty, you left off the brilliant work by your own hand!
Amazing video. I love the varied subjects the books cover.
You are a true gentleman and scholar Richard. An extremely valuable list coming from yourself my friend and fantastic video a always! Thank You! 🙋♂
Extremely helpful! I treasure my copy of Rumbelow's "The Complete Jack the Ripper," as I had it with me in 2000 when he guided us through the sites, and signed it for me over a pint at the Ten Bells afterward. Such a lovely man! I have been wanting to get a hold of "The Jack the Ripper Sourcebook," which appears to be out of print. I found "The Jack the Ripper Companion," which appears to perhaps be a later edition of the same book...can you verify? Well done sir!
Merry Christmas, Richard! Thanks for all the great videos this year.
Excellent Richard , will watch tonight 👍
I first got hooked back in the 1970s with Donald Rumbelrow's Complete Jack the Ripper. He relied heavily on Jack London's "People of the Abyss", which I found online for free with illustrations; however, I'm not sure it is still available gratis. Thank you for your recommendations. I've read a few on your list but now I have more to add to my must-read list.
Thanks for sharing. I have read the books by Donald Rumbelow & Philip Sugden, & have taken notes of the other recommendations. Your books are very good, as are The Complete Jack the Ripper & CSI Whitechapel by Paul Begg & John Bennett. I also found Philip Hutchinson's books (JTR Then & Now with Robert Clack & The Dutfield's Yard photograph) to be also invaluable to find locations, & being an avid photographer, the latter book was very fascinating to read about the photographs covered in the book.
Richard Whittington Egan's Definitive Casebook is also excellent.
Jack The Ripper "Light Hearted Friend", by Richard Wallace, is a game changer.
Thank you i am traveling to london in a couple of weeks , and I`ve been looking for books to buy about jack the ripper, this is very useful
Interesting list Richard, love that you have Fishman in there, for me its one of the real essentials.
A couple i understand the reason for including, but would probably have picked others, the Russo book for instance, is fairly dated.
On another i would have given a disclaimer, that much of its content is disputed.
Overall a very interesting list, and not one suspect book, well done.
Dated? How so?
I remember buying The Ripper and The Royals in 1992 when i was 15. I still have it to this day.
Hi Richard. I hope you don’t mind me writing a second post. I have a couple questions I hope you can answer about time keeping. How accurate were the times of murders? Also, how did people know what time it was as they only had the church bells to go by. The time between Liz stride and Cathy Eddowes seems to be a little precise.
This is very helpful. Many thanks indeed! :)
Merry Christmas Richard. And I hope you have a Ripping New Year !
TYSM
Have a wonderful Christmas 🎄
You included what I would think are the 5 top books on the case - the first 4 you mentioned plus the A-Z book, and overall this seemed like a good selection. Jack the Ripper: Scotland Yard Investigates by Evans & Rumbelow is another good one.
I have all of the books listed and I enjoyed the Stewart p Evan and Keith skinner. The Donald rumbleow one was my first book on the case. Don’t have much else to say but Philip sugden is an excellent book to read. All these books are a must read. I also like one book you left out. Your own book Jack the Ripper case book. It is a good book with maps and letters that will help new and old students of the case.
Very informative thank you.
Definitely going to buy a new Jack the Ripper book soon.
I must admit I prefer ones with lots of photos of the area, maps and illustrations.
Just wish someone would make an interactive experience/game based on Jack the Ripper. The assassins creed game was nonsense. The closest experience we got was Sherlock Holmes vs Jack the Ripper.
The Phillip Sugden book is excellent …
Thank you for the wonderful suggestions! I have written down the titles I don't already own and will continue building my collection over the next few months. By the way, I fully understand why you won't commit to recommending any book that claims to know for certain who JtR was, but I think they make for interesting reading nonetheless.
Remember, you must read these books while on Jack The Ripper. Is this his grave or some kind of whiskey drink.
I have read People of the abyss and I agree ,you are left with a run to the shower. All these books are pure Gold, do to the fact that I've never knew they existed. Capturing Jack the ripper by Neal Bell is the subject that I've always been most fascinated with. I'm going to pick up that book first.
There's Something about Whitechapel is another good one👍
But what about that amazing book that mentioned the killers identity had to do with building houses in the springtime?
😅
I was hoping The Five would be on here. It’s a truly amazing book. It reminds you that they were people with lives, families and sometimes children before they were murdered
This topic is great to read about especially for those that enjoy non fiction
Hiya Richard, I haven't watched this vlog yet but I will when I get back, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumberland, England
Would love to read the Jack London book and see what an American had to say.
Invaluable 👍🏻
thank you
You left off the best one, "They All Love Jack" by Bruce Robinson.
This was the only book that I read that made such compelling arguments and was so thoroughly researched,I was convinced with the author's conclusions.
A perfect shopping list just in time for Xmas
It was Lechmere. Youre welcome
I respectfully disagree , The Detectives of the time were better at reading people then the detectives of today. The reason being is the fact that was the only tool they had. Lechmere was the only suspect that was found at a murder scene. He would be the most obvious suspect. Yet the police quickly dismissed him as a suspect. There must have been something about Lechmere we don't know.
Don't know? You mean the fact that Lechie boy was related to a cop?
my Favorite was Jack the Ripper the summing up and verdict by Colin Wilson and Robin Odell