If you want to understand the Christian view of what Truth is and what it means, especially in contrast to [post]modernity's confusion on that point, this is the book for you. I also recommend Holmes's (much more readily available) "The Idea of a Christian College".

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) is best known as the creator of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. This outstanding biography by Hesketh Pearson (and wonderfully narrated by Tim Pigott-Smith) reveals Doyle's many other accomplishments, including how he came to the profession of medicine, his activities as a war correspondent, his eventual interest in spiritualism, as well as his many other writings. Ironically, Doyle felt his Sherlock Holmes stories to be the least of his literary works while prizing his now largely forgotten major historical novels. Here too is the story of Doyle as a husband, including the death of his first wife and the enduring affection of his second marriage. A true "rags to riches" tale, Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life is a technically flawless production with musical interludes and cues that is a "must" for anyone who has ever thrilled at one of his immortal stories.

This is an excellent selection of classic BSI (Baker Street Irregulars) and other criticism on the Sherlock Holmes stories, with entries by such famous Sherlockians as Rex Stout, Vincent Starrett, Christopher Morley, etc. Most of the individual articles are available elsewhere, but as a compiliation of essential writings about Holmes this is hard to beat. Mr. Shreffler does a fine job of sorting the wheat from the chaff -- I have dozens of books on this subject, and if you are only going to purchase one Sherlockian book in your life (but who in their right mind would ever do that?), this book would be a fair choice.

Two potential caveats for newcomers: 1) I am not sure why this book is so expensive; perhaps the number of remaining copies is limited. When I acquired my copy a few years ago, it was substantially cheaper. If you're on a tight budget, you can probably get more Sherlockian bang for your buck elsewhere. 2) Keep in mind that this is almost entirely a compilation of SHERLOCKIAN criticism, as opposed to the more conventional brand. In other words, the articles proceed under the tongue-in-cheek assumption that Holmes & Watson were real people -- thus, this book will probably not help you very much if you are looking for sources for an academic, literary study of Doyle's work. If you are reading for personal enjoyment, though, and have the cash, it's great fun, and **highly** recommended.

A fine addition to this volume would be Shreffler's "Sherlock Holmes by Gas-Lamp", which includes highlights of the first 40 years of the Baker Street Journal.

Very informative, and a lot of fun to read. For new readers, a great introduction to Holmes and his world; for old-timers like me, a fun refresher course! Highly Recommended!

In this story, it's fairly obvious WHO done it right from the beginning, but HOW is the mystery. Two sisters, heiresses, are living with their stepfather. One dies tragically and mysteriously, with only enough time to tell her sister that it was the speckled band that caused her death. Now the other sisters life is in danger. Sherlock has to discover what the speckled band is in time to save her life. Soon he and Watson find their own lives in danger. The story is a fascinating mystery/adventure, with just a touch of the exotic, well-written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Ernest Holmes founded the metaphysical Church of Religious Science. The New Thought philosophies espoused by that and a number of other metaphysical groups utilize terms of art which frequently appropriate and redefine common usages from Christian, Buddhist and Hindu theology. This book provides a helpful guide to the reader--whether adherent to New Thought ideas or not--to understand "what the words mean" in New Thought writing. Holmes has a conversational, Sunday preacher writing style which is easy to digest. As any apologist for a faith might, his elucidation of the terms includes a fair bit of advocacy of the ideas. The mildly evangelical undertone, however, does not detract at all from the usefulness of the book as a study guide in the terms and ideas of New Thought. New Thought ideas pervaded our popular culture for the better part of the 20th C. such that many New Thought ideas are no longer seen as "new ideas", but instead as mainstream truisms. Holmes would undoubtedly find this entirely appropriate, as he did not claim for his faith an exclusive message or a freedom from influences outside the faith. New Thought is interesting in and of itself, but it is also a fascinating window into a very American system of theology. Although this work is a "dictionary" of "terms", it is not dry reading. Holmes instead is clear and reasonably simple in his language. Holmes' great gift as a writer was to be able to write popular theology which was not unduly laden with abstruse ideas. This work exemplifies the best of his writing, and is an excellent starting point for anyone who wishes to understand better just what the New Thought adherents believe, and the language of this branch of American metaphysics. The skeptic or believer in a different faith may find much to disagree with in Holmes' work, but the book is nonetheless a good exercise in just what Holmes did believe and preach. In some instances, New Thought writing can seem to be all "positive thinking" and no system. Holmes' work seeks to systematize the ideas, without alienating the reader. In the main, the work succeeds in this task.

Holmes' essay is fantastic and would be a great read prior to or following any trip to Egypt. The similarities 100 years since is amazing. The changes are intriguing. I read a library version of this book but decided to buy it for myself for reference and for the great collection of photos. The introductory essays were helpful to understand the Holmes' role in American history.

Question: What famous fictional detective has been the subject of motion pictures since the very beginning of the 20th century?

Answer: Sherlock Holmes; the first Sherlock Holmes film called "Sherlock Holmes Baffled," was one minute in length and was filmed in 1900.

Question: What famous fictional detective has appeared in more movies than James Bond and Indiana Jones combined?

Answer: Sherlock Holmes, of course.

Question: What famous fictional detective has been seen on screen in almost as many disguises as Lon Chaney, "The man of a thousand faces?"

Answer: You guessed it, Sherlock Holmes.

Question: What famous fictional detective has shared an on screen ride with Sigmund Freud, foiled a Nazi plot that might have cost Britain the war, and saved the life of a United States Senator?

Answer: If you guessed Sherlock Holmes again, you're right.

Getting bored? Just a couple more.

Question: What fictional detective has been portrayed on screen by (among dozens of others) John Barrymore, Raymond Massey, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Nicol Williamson, Stewart Granger, and, of course, everyone's favorite, Basil Rathbone?

Answer: I realize this is a real tough one so I'll give you a couple of hints. His first name is Sherlock and his last name is Holmes.

Okay, one last one.

Question: What fictional detective was the father of forensic methodology in the analysis of evidence?

Surprise! Sherlock Holmes.

Where did I come up with all of this amazing information?

Why from THE FILMS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, of course.

THE FILMS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES devotes anywhere from a page to a chapter to almost every Sherlock Holmes movie known to man. Each book segment contains discussions of the film, the actors who starred, and a historical perspective discussing time, place, etc. There are enough still photographs to satisfy the most avid Sherlockian.

For the Sherlock Holmes fan and/or for the film buff, this book is a font of information. For the rest of us, it's pretty darn entertaining.

Fans of Conan Doyle's adventure fiction now have an important reference to consult when considering his works and settings: a survey of the Napoleonic era which influenced Doyle to create the character of one Brigadier Gerard, whose adventures ran after Holmes had been killed off in 1893. This study considers all his Napoleonic works, analyzing methods and plots alike.

This book is well written and brief. (It's amazing how often those two go together!) The contents are as follows:

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Preface

1. Why a Christian College?

2. Theological Foundations

3. The Liberal Arts: What and Why?

4. Liberal Arts as Career Preparation

5. Integrating Faith and Learning

6. Academic Freedom

7. College as Community

8. Experience is not Enough

9. The Marks of an Educated Person

Suggestions for further reading

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The chapter on integrating faith and learning was especially good, as was the chapter on academic freedom. Refreshingly lucid thinking and writing: no stale ideas to be found.