The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Short Stories (2 Vol. Set) | 
 enlarge | Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Creators: Leslie S. Klinger, John Lecarre
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Category: Book
List Price: $95.00
Buy New: $49.95
You Save: $45.05 (47%)
New (34) Used (13) from $30.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 31728
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 2
Pages: 1878
Shipping Weight (lbs): 10.4
Dimensions (in): 10.5 x 9.2 x 4.2
ISBN: 0393059162
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.8
EAN: 9780393059168
ASIN: 0393059162
Publication Date: November 30, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: New.
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Book Description
A cause for international celebration—the most important Sherlock Holmes publication in four decades. This monumental edition promises to be the most important new contribution to Sherlock Holmes literature since William Baring-Gould's 1967 classic work. In this boxed set, Leslie Klinger, a leading world authority, reassembles Arthur Conan Doyle's 56 classic short stories in the order in which they appeared in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century book editions. Inside, readers will find a cornucopia of insights: beginners will benefit from Klinger's insightful biographies of Holmes, Watson, and Conan Doyle; history lovers will revel in the wealth of Victorian literary and cultural details; Sherlockian fanatics will puzzle over tantalizing new theories; art lovers will thrill to the 700-plus illustrations, which make this the most lavishly illustrated edition of the Holmes tales ever produced. The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes illuminates the timeless genius of Arthur Conan Doyle for an entirely new generation of readers. 700+ illustrations.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...
 The Best Annotated Holmes Collection Available August 14, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories are widely available in numerous editions, but this one stands out for three reasons. First, there is a superb introudction of over 60 pages ("The World of Sherlock Holmes"); second, there are numerous original illustrations, photographs of the scenes of the stories, and so on; third, and most important, the annotations--which are extensive--include both real facts about the Victorian world that one needs to know to understand the stories *and* "Sherlockiana".
For example, when, in "the Adventure of the Beryl Coronet", a mysterious nobleman asks a banker for "a trifling sum" of 50,000 pounds, the modern reader might shrug--surely 50,000 pounds *is* indeed a "trifling sum" for a rich nobleman?--until one realizes, as the annotations say, that it would be over $6,000,000 today. The annotators do an excellent job with such factoids: less and some of the stories' references would remain obscure; more and they would become pedantic.
What really sets it apart, however, are the "Sherlockian" annotations, which pretend "A. C. Doyle" was Watson's pen name and that the stories describe real events--and makes up theories to explain apparent contradictions or omissions. For example, in "The Man with the Twisted Lip", Watson's wife calls him "James" (instead of "John"). Why? The obvious answer--Doyle made a slip--is, of course, not allowed by the rules of the Sherlockian "game". The annotators give three pages to summarising the numerous theories Sherlockians offered--from claiming "James" was Watson's middle name, to claims it was her lover's name (thus also "discovering" Waton's middle name, and/or explaining why he seems to have left his wife).
Even if you have no interest at all in such intellectual games, the photographs and illustrations, the historical introduction, and the factual annotations alone more than justify a "five stars" rating. If you *are* interested in Shelockiana, these books are more than that--they're an instant classic, sure to be the "standard edition" of Sherlock fans for years to come.
conan doyle changed police procedure from beating todeduction August 10, 2007
Conanan Doylechanged police from bribers of low life to rat on others or to beat confessions from poorly educated or low intelligence souls tothose who sought to know the facts.The facts came from evidence of all sorts, witnesses,debris on the scene, or from the area or arena of suspects o those involved. The courts the\n rejected evidence that was tainted.This included statements from tortured or possibly tortured persons that was not corrobrated by tangible evidence. So today we have a system that is closer to trying to get the truth than getting a conviction. This enables those who can manipulate it to beat the justice sytem in the short term. The safety valve is that those who tend to break the law do so again until getting caught.
BEAUTIFUL! ~~An HONOR to Doyle, and to HOLMES! July 16, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Well, to start, I see that I am the 25th person to review this double volume of these marvelous stories in this wonderful edition.
It is so wonderful to sit down in my big old wing-back chair, especially on a rainy day or evening, and re-read these fabulous stories again, some for perhaps the 6th or 7th time, others the 3rd or 4th. And, the highlight, of course, is to ponder the notations in the margins of these wonderfully crafted and beautifully presented books.
Next time you feel like doing something "Nice" for yourself, why not treat yourself to this beautiful, and so much fun to revisit, set of the Sherlock Holmes Short Stories! You will never regret it...they always seem to be like old forgotten friends each time you come back to them. ~operabruin
(PS: Do not forget the Novels, also part of this edition in their own volume.)
Masterful August 18, 2006
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I cannot add to the kudos bestowed by virtually every review of this 2 volume delight.
A warning: Check the "Adventure of the Priory School" for missing footnotes. The numbers appear in the margins but the (red type) prose is missing! Someone goofed seriously at the printer's shop. This may not be a major catastrophe (perhaps it is an intentional mystery created by the author), but it's like buying a new car with a dimple in the hood: you know it's there (or, in this instance, it isn't there!) If you are affected by this lack of annotation, return the volumes to Amazon, write a letter to the publisher (Norton) and get restitution, by George!
Excellent production, could have been bound better July 23, 2006
11 out of 15 found this review helpful
Rather than repeat the reviews of the previous authors, I'd like to make two points related to the production of the book:
The book should have been stitched rather than gummed at the spine. I can almost foresee my grandson many years hence trying to read Grandpa's favorite book that was willed to him, only to have the spine break. A book of enduring value must have a stitched spine. OTOH looks like it has been printed on acid-free paper, which is a good thing.
How I wish there was a CD-ROM edition. The book is unbelievably bulky. That is fine for someone's study or library. If there was a CD-ROM based edition, people short on space, or those who travel on public transport could enjoy the author's work more conveniently (e.g. by reading on their laptop).
Unfortunately Amazon does not ship this book free. But some of its competitors do. It pays to shop around.
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