Customer Reviews

The American Murders of Jack the Ripper: Tantalizing Evidence of the Gruesome American Interlude of the Prime Ripper Suspect

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This book is a follow up to Mr Gordon's first 'Ripper' book titled Alias Jack the Ripper: Beyond the Usual Whitechapel Suspects.

In a review I wrote on that work, I commented that, while I disagreed with the conclusion that George Chapman had to be the killer (albeit while being a very attractive candidate), I still found the book to be a worthwhile read. Sadly, I cannot say the same here.

In both books, Gordon makes some very bold but completely unwarranted assertions (suggesting for example, that Rose Mylett was a Ripper victim), but in the second book he departs objective analysis entirely and enters the realm of the wildest speculation and fantasy. Even if one were convinced that Chapman was in the US for all 4 murders described in the book (and I am not convinced that even this has been established) attributing murders to a person simply because they had the opportunity to commit them is ridiculous. In one case, a young girl named Hannah Robinson was found strangled on Long Island... Gordon declares Chapman to be the killer on no evidence other than the, equally unwarranted, claim that he also strangled Rose Mylett before leaving for America. Gordon briefly acknowledges, in the second volume, that strangulation did not fit the Ripper patter but he then dismisses the objection by writing:

"From 'Alias Jack the Ripper: Beyond the Usual Whitechapel Suspects', it is learned that at times strangulation may well have been enough to satisfy the killer's needs ...."

Well, excuse me... but this is an argument?? Is Gordon saying anything other than .... My opinion is X, and in support of that opinion, I offer the fact that I have stated the same opinion in the past?

I hesitate to say that, in quoting his own works as an authority for various conclusions Gordon is being disingenuous, but I have to think that this sort of thing hardly does much to enhance his reputation as a respectable investigator and writer.

Collectors may wish to have this book but I would advise others to save their money. For a good and objective examination of Chapman as a possible candidate, I would highly recommend Complete History of Jack the Ripper by Philip Sugden.

C John Thompson

Although it is confirmed that Chapman was a serial killer, his crimes differed too much from the savage Jack the Ripper crimes, much less the Thames Torso Killer's, and even the American murders, which may or may not have been done by a serial killer, that i am sure was not the London Ripper or the Torso killer, but if you like reading about this subject, or on unsolved possible serial killings in early America than this is a great book for you, but if you are looking for a serious Ripper suspect, than you might want a different title, but it is well written & does provide some photos, i also think the writer had the best of intentions when writing this book, as he devotes his book to the victims, something i personally liked. But could Chapman be the Ripper, ofcoarse, but so could Francis Tumblety, James Kelly, Carl Feigenbaum, Kosminski, Walter Sickertt, sir William Gull, Dr. Neil Thomas Cream & even Prince Eddy and the Elephant Man were around the area at the time, so we may never know.