The World of Sherlock Holmes: The Facts and Fiction Behind the World's Greatest Detective

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Holmes
Review: If anyone has an interest in the character of Sherlock Holmes beyond the stories and pastiches, this book is for you. This book provides great background information on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a chronology of the life of Doyle and the "life" of Holmes and Watson, plus plenty of full-color pictures, and even info on the many different portrayals of Holmes on stage and TV, from William Gillette to Jeremy Brett.

Rating:
Summary: great reference and literary critisism
Review: This book was full of interesting info, I already new a good deal of it, but it was still fun to read. There are a few mistakes, but nothing major, and it doesn't make it harder to read. frankly the most enjoyable thing about it is the critical approach to all the stories. At first I was shocked by the manner in which the stories are treated, but then I realized it was a much more interesting read than if it simply proclaimed each story and novel a work of genius. I was especially pleased with the author's dismissal of Irene Adler as unworthy of Holmes' admiration, mainly because I agree. I recommend having read the whole cannon before reading this, and to be familiar with some of the more well-known Sherlockian scholars.