Customer Reviews

The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes & the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (non-slipcased edition)

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I think it's pretty indisputable that this material is classic and great fun to read. The annotated edition is helpful in understanding issues of Victorian London that might slip by you otherwise. But mostly, the commentary is just plain entertaining as it showcases the insanity of Holmes enthusiasts. Many of the footnotes include the wacky theories of these fanatics and while pointing out Doyle's many inconsistencies from story to story as well as the often uninformed ideas behind the plot points, do their damnedest to justify them as if these stories were all fact and we simply need to work out our own misunderstandings.

I just received this and the second voume from Amazon. I was amazed to get these books so cheaply. I got them for around 7.99 each. They are beautiful hardback volumes with annotations that reveal insights into the world of Doyle as well as Holmes. I am going to order the 3rd volume. It's not as cheaply priced but is still a bargain. Anyone who is a Sherlock Holmes fan should have this collection. I can't wait to re-read these stories!

I've been longing for these books ever since I saw them at the Sherlock Holmes Museum in London, about 2 years ago. However I kept putting them off as I already have all the stories (in another volume but not nearly as nice as this) and I just couldn't bring myself to shell out the money. When I saw this on Amazon for $7.99 I knew it had to be a mistake. There was no way they could possibly be selling this book for 7.99. But I am happy to report, it ISN'T a mistake. It is the exact same book and it is 7.99. And yes it is a hardcover. If you are a Holmes fan you simply can't pass this one up!

This is a wounderful annotated version of Sherlock Holmes, its illustrations are magnificent and the notes are extermely helpful to the ambitious reader, but when by this book you must to remember that this is a annotated version of the canon, and it is a beautiful book because of this, so its pages are fully pictured not just to illustrate the referred text but also fot the sake of the reader and in order to let we take in account the marvellous work that fill the pages of the magazines and books that tell the history of the most famous detective ever. This book is not a biography of Arthur Conan Doyle, but a pleasant annotated history of Sherlock Holmes and should be faced in this way. Therefore I trust recommend that Sherlock's beginners start to read a version without the extensively annotated presented in here and then, when your curiosity was raised, buy this unforgettable collection of histories for the sake of yourself.

Purchased all three volumes of Klinger's annotated Sherlock Holmes stories. They are a worthy successor to the two volume annotated version by William Baring-Gould written in the late 1960's (the latter being an essential addition to any true Sherlockian's library however). Klinger's volumes are beautifully bound and printed and are to be treasured by anyone possessing them. The annotations are superb and every effort is made to present all sides of any controversy and thoroughly discuss all aspects touching upon every element in these great stories. A formidable task extraordinarily well done-- the effort and the outcome are both to be applauded. I recommend getting the entire three volume set. They are worthy of being read and reread.
One cautious caveat, however--if the reader is new to the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, this annotated version may not be the best choice. The annotations are lengthy, thorough, and seriously interupt the flow of the original narratives. It would be better for the novice to read the tales in an unannotated version first and then undertake the reading of these volumes (or, alternatively, read these volumes and ignore the annotations).
All three volumes are excellent in every regard. Cannot recommend them highly enough

Everybody knows him -- the pipe-smoking detective on Baker Street (with or without the movie-added deerstalker), who is able to deduce all sorts of things just by glancing at a person.

And if you want to get to know him, a good place to start is "The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes & the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes." These two collections of short stories mingle human psychology with sometimes-bizarre mysteries -- and although the annotation is pretty dense, it is helpful.

The title character is a famous English detective who undertakes bizarre cases that the police cannot handle -- missing fiances, missing heiresses, Christmas turkeys with jewels, incriminating letters, speckled bands, missing racehorses, a Greek translator, sudden suicides, missing spouses, "dream jobs" with strange requirements, and a clash with the diabolical Professor Moriarty.

Sherlock Holmes mysteries come in two types:
1. The case is completely baffling, and Holmes is needed to unravel the knot of obscure clues.
2. The case seems straightforward, but Holmes is needed to connect seemingly unrelated clues to the crime in order to find the REAL perpetrator.

There are plenty of both kinds in this book, with a couple dozen cases that require Holmes' unique detecting skills -- it can be something as simple as locating a letter, or something as complex as foiling a robbery or criminal ring. Doyle's stately, dignified prose is heightened by moments of excitement or horror (" It swelled up louder and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled in the one dreadful shriek"), and he wove in a lot of human psychology into Holmes' cases.

Holmes himself... is Holmes. Doyle didn't like his detective much, but Sherlock's knife-edged intellect and fascination with puzzles are strangely hypnotic -- even if you wouldn't like to be roomies with the guy, it would be amazing just to sit and watch him work. Watson is the perfect counterpoint for Holmes: he's not a genius but is definitely intelligent, warm-hearted and capable.

And how good is the annotation for this book? Well, the annotations are well-researched, detailed and full of fascinating historical/social/literary insights into Doyle and how he crafted these stories. In fact, they're too dense at times, leaving you wishing for a little more brevity in the annotation.

Even if you already have these short stories, "The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes, Volume 1: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes & the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" is a must-have for fans of the Great Detective, because of all the extras packed into its pages.

This is a wonderful book! So interesting for Sherlock novices!!! But I am giving it as a gift for a big Sherlock fan and I cannot wait! He will love it! Beautiful book!!!!

Fantastic: it is not only the new annotated edition but the definitive edition of holmes' cases.