Customer Reviews

The True Face of Jack the Ripper

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have studied the Ripper lore for a few years,and always appreciate a good read. The text is extremely well written. However, the scenarios are not adequately described. I have had the wonderful fortune of taking a Jack the Ripper walk in London and seeing the murder sites in person. Perhaps after that, my view is a bit jaded, but I have heard arguments on the killer's identity and have always thought of the suspect named in this novel a minor one. But, it is enlightening to hear another's opinion. For the very reasonable price of this novel, I would recommend it, but I do believe there to be more historical ponderings into this subject. All in all, an interesting read at the very least.

Harris produces another incisive analysis of one of the major contemporary suspects, Robert D'Onston Stephenson. His arguments as always are cogent and very readable. While Stephenson is still just a suspect with no concrete proof against him it still enthralls the reader to hear the story of his amazing life, from serving in the Italian army under Garibaldi to his associations with various occultist personalities of the late nineteenth century. Harris is a cruel master when it comes to theory, even his own, and Stephenson must at least be considered possible of the Jack the Ripper crimes. A must read for true crime buffs.

There are three or four suspects uncovered in recent years who could actually have been Jack the Ripper. The suspect mentioned in this book, Donston, is my favourite, not necessarily because he's necessarily the most likely, but because he's the most exciting. This book sets out an entertainingly lurid account of the life and loves of this twisted satanist who might just have been the most notorious serial killer in history. Few other Ripper experts share his view, but I don't really see why not, Anyway, surely it would spoil all the fun iof we did know. Harris also provides some valuable evidence about the blatantly fraudulent diary. Definitely a book for any Ripper enthusiast to check out.

This is yet another of the many books claiming to identify J the R. This one focuses on a wierd person named Stephenson or D'Onston, his first name changes from Robert to Rosslyn. The case seems to be based on hearsay, and the subject's own ego. He repeatedly wrote giving his theories to the media and police, and really anyone who would listen. The theory is largely unsubstantiated and the author does little to make us believe in his theories. He just says that all the others are wrong and he's right. Great ego, less great book.

While the author seems overzealous in condemning the theories of others,he does little to support his own.In fact some of the evidence that he tries to discredit is more compelling than his own theories, which he presents as gospel.

Harris is infamous for championing two different suspects in different books, and neither argument holds water. Harris is very quick to debunk all theories but his own, even if other theories are more plausible (and coherent).