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The Best of Sherlock Holmes |
5 December 2009
How do you choose the best Sherlock Holmes gift? There are hundreds of books, movies, and other Sherlockian items to pick from. Below are recommended presents for new fans, and a separate section for long-time Sherlockians that highlights some top items produced in 2009.
| Category | # of Items |
| The Best Book of Sherlock Holmes Stories | 1 |
| More Stories of Sherlock Holmes | 2 |
| More by Conan Doyle | 1 |
| Holmes Movies | 2 |
| Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle | 4 |
| Free Bonus Items |
| Category | # of Items |
| New Holmes Fiction | 4 |
| New Holmes DVDs, Movies, and Related | 10 |
| New Books About Holmes & Conan Doyle | 7 |
What's New in 2009: Top Holmes Gifts For Long-Time Sherlockians
Classic Sherlock Holmes Gifts for New Fans – The Essentials
For someone new to the Sherlock Holmes stories, the best place to start is by reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes followed by The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. These collections include the seven best Holmes short stories.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote 60 Holmes tales. These are available in at least 10 different complete collections, plus many other copies of individual books. Because most of the Holmes stories are out of copyright, there are numerous cheap, shoddy, or indifferent versions of the stories. However, there are a number of good-quality editions. Each has strengths and weaknesses. I've listed the ones that are the best for a new Holmes fan.
Best complete collection (all 60 stories)
Best choice under $30 (24 stories, including 7 of the top 10 stories overall)
Best choice under $15 (12 stories, including 4 of the top 10 stories overall)
A classy and classic gift for anyone interested in Sherlock Holmes. The complete set includes all 60 original stories, accompanied by hundreds of illustrations and a wealth of notes by Klinger that explain the Victorian world and delve into the nuances of the tales. It consists of three large (10.4 x 9 inches) and heavy hardcover books.
Slipcased Version of The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes – Best Complete Collection
The slipcased versions come with a handsome slipcase to display and protect the book when you're not reading it. It's best to start with the Short Story collection. You can also buy each volume separately without slipcases (see below), and these have exactly the same content as the slipcased versions.
The Complete Short Stories (2 Vol. Set) ($95.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $59.85)
The Novels ($59.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $37.77)
The Short Stories, Volume 1 (non-slipcased edition) ($39.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $26.37) – Best Choice under $30
If your budget is limited, I suggest getting just Volume 1 of the New Annotated Sherlock Holmes (details above). It contains all 24 stories from The Adventures and The Memoirs, including the top seven Holmes tales, and is unquestionably your best introduction to Sherlock Holmes. You can always get the other books later. But if you want a gift under $15 or need a smaller, more convenient book, see the Oxford Sherlock Holmes below.
You can also buy the other two New Annotated volumes separately:
The Short Stories, Volume 2 (non-slipcased edition) ($39.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $24.41)
The Novels, Volume 3 (non-slipcased edition) ($39.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $24.91)
Some people may prefer a paperback volume that's less expensive and easier to carry and hold. I recommend the Oxford Sherlock Holmes series and, for a new Holmes fan, the first collection (The Adventures) in particular. It provides a high-quality text and scholarly annotations that don't interfere with reading the story. Unfortunately there are no illustrations, and if you get more than one book of the series it's a better deal to just buy Volume 1 of the New Annotated listed above. However, for a single book this is the best Holmes gift bargain for a new fan.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (paperback) ($12.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $11.01) – Best Choice under $15
This is the best paperback choice for a new fan, with fine background information by Conan Doyle expert Richard Lancelyn Green. The Amazon listing makes it sound like it includes all 9 volumes in the series, but this is just the first book. This book contains 12 stories, including 4 of the top 10 stories overall.
There are more than a thousand Holmes or Holmes-related stories by other authors. Some of these "pastiches" are very good, but unfortunately many of them are marginal. Opinions of them diverge wildly, so I've just listed two (plus a bonus) that have been around for 30+ years and are especially notable.
Twelve short stories based on some of the untold tales in Sir Arthur's originals. Written by his son and noted mystery author John Dickson Carr. The book does not appear to be in print, but you may find some copies at Amazon Marketplace.
The book that sparked the Sherlock Holmes revival of the 1970s. Although set in Victorian times, in many ways it provides a modern revision to the Holmes mythology. It's a bit more of a thriller than a detective story, but a Sherlockian milestone nonetheless. ($13.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $11.16)
Bonus: Almost Sherlock Holmes
Short stories written in the style of the Holmes tales and featuring a very similar detective named Solar Pons. Highly recommended – more like Holmes stories than most pastiches. The series originally consisted of the following short-story collections:
In Re: Sherlock Holmes—The Adventures of Solar Pons
The Memoirs of Solar Pons
The Return of Solar Pons
The Reminiscences of Solar Pons
The Casebook of Solar Pons
The Chronicles of Solar Pons
These are generally out of print, but you may find some used copies on the Amazon Marketplace, or you can buy the complete set in a large two-volume hardcover as The Original Text Solar Pons Omnibus (ISBN 1-55246-077-0 ) for $200 from the publisher (email him for details). There are also Solar Pons stories by Basil Cooper, but I have not read them.
Conan Doyle's other classic creation took readers to a world of dinosaurs and adventure. It inspired numerous movies and books, including Jurassic Park. You can get various basic paperback editions on Amazon, but I recommend the deluxe illustrated hardcover edition with annotations. ($34.95 SRP; not on Amazon; see Wessex Press)
With his 2009 movie Sherlock Holmes, Robert Downey, Jr. joins more than 70 actors who have played the great detective in over 200 films. That makes Holmes "the most portrayed movie character" according to Guinness World Records. Although these vary in quality and availability, new fans should see at least one of the top Rathbone films. In addition I've listed a well-received film that's also the last major theatrical release of a non-comedy Holmes
Rathbone is arguably the best-known Holmes of the movies. In part that's because he made 14 Holmes films, but it's also a reflection of his acting skill, his striking appearance, and the quality of at least some of these movies. All are on DVD, but there are many different versions. For extensive details, see my list of the Ten Best Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes Movies on DVD.
The best value for a new fan is a 2009 double-feature edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes / The Scarlet Claw. It gives you two of the top three Rathbone films, plus extras including audio commentary for both movies, a photo gallery, and a trailer for The Scarlet Claw. Ignore the color cover and Amazon details: these are in the original atmospheric black & white. ($19.98 SRP; Amazon US listing $17.99)
If you prefer a film based on a Holmes story, Rathbone's Hound of the Baskervilles is his second-best Holmes film and a reasonably faithful adaptation of Sherlock Holmes's most famous case. You can buy it in a new double-feature with the lower-rated Pursuit to Algiers for a few dollars more than the separate DVD version. The double-feature gets you an extra movie while the separate DVD has a nice booklet and might have a little better picture quality.
There is a Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection 5-DVD set for people who want a good deal on all 14 movies, but be aware that Amazon prices for it have ranged from about $65 to $110.
Sherlock Holmes investigates Jack the Ripper in an intense, high-quality Holmes film. Emmy-winner Christopher Plummer does a fine job as Holmes, and three-time Academy Award nominee James Mason is a superb Watson. This 2009 Lionsgate DVD release plans to include audio commentary with director Bob Clark, theatrical trailers, and poster and stills galleries. ($14.98 SRP; Amazon US listing $8.99)
This marvelous book provides the best introduction and general reference to the world of Sherlock Holmes that you can find. First get and read the original Conan Doyle stories – then get this book for a background to the tales and everything they've spawned. Besides covering all the stories, it discusses the characters, the themes, movie and television versions, the Victorian era, Conan Doyle, and the entire Holmes phenomenon. It's an essential book if you don't have an annotated edition, and still useful even if you do have one. While there are other similar types of books, this one gets the facts right and is the best-written. Chris Redmond is a noted Sherlockian expert: be sure to get the 2009 second edition by him, not something by other authors with similar titles. ($32.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $23.36)
This up-to-date, comprehensive biography of Conan Doyle is ideal for new fans and even seasoned Sherlockians. Lycett's careful research included access to the Conan Doyle archives, and unlike almost all other Conan Doyle biographies, it provides extensive source notes. ($16.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $13.22; also in hardcover)
The first book of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's private letters provides a first-hand, unvarnished account of his life until 1920. See my detailed review of A Life in Letters. While a biography offers a broader view of his life and work, these letters reveal details of everyday life and give a more personal impression of Doyle the man. ($18.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $14.04; also in hardcover)
Anyone interested in Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle should consider subscribing to at least one of these two leading journals on the subject. The Baker Street Irregulars, an American literary society, has published The Baker Street Journal since 1946. The Sherlock Holmes Society of London publishes The Sherlock Holmes Journal. See the BSJ website and the SHSL website for details.
Peter E. Blau produces Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press, a monthly newsletter that is available in printed form or for free online at the Sherlocktron Scuttlebutt webpage. Roger Johnson publishes The District Messenger, the newsletter of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London, that is available free via email or online at the SHSL District Messenger webpage.
What's New in 2009: Top Holmes Gifts For Long-Time Sherlockians
Selected fictional Holmes books and publications published in 2009 that would make excellent gifts. Listed in order by author, see also About the Choices. Amazon prices as of November 2009; subject to change.
Sherlock Holmes investigates Jack the Ripper. While the Ripper murders make this a somewhat grim story, it's one of the very best books to capture the style and characters of the original Holmes tales. ($25.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $16.50; also in pb)
A collection of 14 new short stories that are all set in the U.S. The stories are generally very good with a number by well-known authors. ($24.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $16.47; also in pb.)
Cowboys in the 1890s become detectives by reading the Sherlock Holmes stories. Holmes does not appear, but there are references to him and his methods. It's a witty, fun read that mixes Westerns and detective genres in a very appealing way. Fourth in a series starting with Holmes on the Range, but it can also be read alone. ($24.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $16.49)
In a spinoff series taking place after the original Holmes tales, the detective marries an intellectual younger woman named Mary Russell and they investigate mysteries around the world. The entire series is beautifully written and often compelling, but does have a somewhat feminist perspective not found in the Conan Doyle stories. This volume includes Mycroft Holmes and Sherlock's estranged son. Ninth in a series beginning with The Beekeeper's Apprentice – I recommend starting with the first book. ($25.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $16.50)
Selected DVDs, videos, movie-related and audio items published in 2009 that would make excellent gifts. See also About the Choices. Amazon prices as of November 2009; subject to change.
This book provides an in-depth study of the 14 Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. It includes "insider details" from the studio archives on the making of the films. ($20.00 SRP; Amazon US listing $18.00)
This 64-page booklet discusses the many different movie and television versions of The Sign of the Four. ($11.00 SRP; BSJ website)
Black & white silent film, full-screen, recently restored by George Eastman House. While the not the most compelling Holmes film, it has long been unavailable or only in very poor condition. John Barrymore was one of the leading stars of his time. For the completist or the intense film Sherlockian. ($24.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $22.49)
This wonderful animated film from Pixar draws heavily from Conan Doyle's book The Lost World both in parts of the plot (an adventure trip to South America and a "lost world" of exotic characters) and in some of the visuals. In particular, the film shows a plateau with a separate pinnacle that comes directly from an illustration in The Strand Magazine. No Sherlock Holmes content but interesting Conan Doyle associations and a fun film. ($29.99 SRP; Amazon US listing $14.99)
Although previously on DVD, Lionsgate has a December 2009 DVD release at a great price. See DVD details above.
Also previously on DVD, these 2009 double-features are good deals for those who don't own the earlier DVDs. See my comments above.
This three-DVD set offers 12 previously hard-to-find or unreleased movies, TV shows, and short subjects. Key attractions include Sherlock Holmes' Fatal Hour (aka The Sleeping Cardinal), the first Arthur Wontner Holmes movie, and The Sting of Death, starring Boris Karloff as Mr. Mycroft. Picture and sound quality are acceptable given the age and rarity of the source material. While all B-movie productions, the set provides a nice sample of Holmes on film from 1912 to 1955 and should appeal to Holmes movie enthusiasts. ($24.95 SRP; Amazon US listing $22.49)
A reissue of three rare phonograph records, now on audio CD, for those interested in the history of Sherlockian societies. It contains sound excerpts of society proceedings from 1952 to 1982, with many famous Sherlockians. Includes new introductions and explanations. ($18.95 SRP; not on Amazon; see Wessex Press)
Although I have not yet watched it, the three-DVD set The Sherlock Holmes Collection with Peter Cushing has received good reports. However, do not in any circumstances use the A&E website to get it or bother with so-called A&E customer service. Those bozos are worse than useless.
Selected books and publications published in 2009 that would make excellent gifts. Listed in order by author, see also About the Choices. Amazon prices as of November 2009; subject to change.
This includes some of the best articles from Australia written between 1959 and 2007 about Holmes and Conan Doyle. It's part of the BSI International Series. ($39.95 SRP; BSJ website )
For those who cannot afford a $250,000+ original Holmes manuscript, this is the next best thing. It includes a facsimile of the handwritten manuscript for the Sherlock Holmes story "The Three Students" along with essays about the manuscript's history and about the story itself. See my brief review. ($35.00 SRP; BSJ website )
This is the tenth and final volume of The Sherlock Holmes Reference Library. It contains eight stories and plays by Conan Doyle that were not considered "official" Holmes stories or collected with those tales. These (and some other similar material) have appeared in other collections by Jack Tracy, Peter Haining, and Richard Lanceyln Green as well as in the BSI manuscript series. However, Klinger has added some useful annotations and this completes the set of the Reference Library. ($19.95 SRP; not on Amazon; see Wessex Press)
This booklet is the most recent addition to the BSI History series, which covers the history of the Baker Street Irregulars literary society. Lellenberg discusses some previously unknown origins of the BSI and the men who created its rites and customs. It focuses on the BSI organization, not Sherlock Holmes. ($14.00 SRP; BSJ website )
This is a CD-ROM archive of the entire run of 76 issues of BSM, and includes a wealth of excellent articles. See my detailed BSM Review. ($40)
Based on more than 200 sources, this is a detailed listing of events in Sir Arthur's life. Each entry is referenced to a numbered source and thus provides a kind of index to all these sources. This is a reference tool, not something for casual reading. I've found it to be highly useful. ($22.95 SRP; Amazon US listing)
See my comments above. This is a handy reference even for long-time Sherlockians, and a pleasure to read.
The good news for people interested in Sherlock Holmes is that there are so many books and related items beyond the original 60 tales. The bad news is there are so many items – how do you choose what to get? I've tried to simplify things by highlighting the best material for a new Sherlockian, and some of the best new items for long-time Sherlockians.
My choices are based on 30+ years of reading and collecting Sherlockiana. I'm a member of the Baker Street Irregulars, have written numerous Sherlockian articles, and have spoken about Conan Doyle rarities for conferences at Harvard and the University of Minnesota.
Selection criteria include personal experience, reviews, and price/value considerations. I start by assessing items that I own. I also examine numerous Sherlockian publications for recommended new material and try to obtain or read their top choices. For very new or unpublished items, I try to get advance copies or closely-related material (e.g., an earlier version of an author's book). However, this does mean that I may not have evaluated some material published in the latter part of the year.
I've found all the items on this page to be enjoyable and/or useful, and place them among the best in their category. They've also received strong positive reviews from Sherlockian and/or general publications. Finally, in selecting items I consider both quality and price/value.
I limited the number of items in order to make this list easier and faster for people to use. However, that does mean there are some very good items that didn't quite make my list. And it's possible that I simply didn't get a chance to evaluate some 2009 items – feel free to send me email if you think there is something that should be on the list.
In most cases I've given both the U.S. suggested retail price (SRP) and the price at Amazon as of November 2009; those prices are of course subject to change.
Related Web Pages
The 10 Best Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes Movies and DVDs
The Best Sherlock Holmes Stories
The Top 10 Quotes from the Sherlock Holmes stories
Other Top 10 Lists for Sherlock Holmes and Conan Doyle
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Copyright © 2009 Randall Stock. All Rights Reserved.