I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

"A Clear Statement of His Career" [FINA]

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One of the highlights of both <b>Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows</b> and Season Two of the BBC<b>'s Sherlock</b> series are their unique takes on "The Adventure of the Final Problem" and "The Adventure of the Empty House." However, there is a third entry which simply serves as a powerful dramatization of these two stories....simply by focusing on the simplicity of Conan Doyle's words.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bigfinish.com/">Big Finish</a> is a company out of England that writes and produces audio dramas around a variety of franchises, most notably <b>Doctor Who. </b> Their kickoff to the second "series" of Sherlock Holmes adventures is a double disc set of <b><a href="http://www.bigfinish.com/21-Sherlock-Holmes-The-Final-Problem-The-Empty-House">The Final Problem/The Empty House</a>. </b>Quite simply, this is simply an excellent dramatization of one of the highlights of the canon, and well worth a listen.<br />
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Much of the power of this audio comes not just from drawing from the canon, but also in its staging - beginning with the sound of pen scratching against paper, followed by Watson's (Richard Earl) narration, the story kicks into high gear. It's a moody, atmospheric approach that simply grabs the listener's attention and will not let go. Part of the success is also the way in which Nicholas Briggs plays Holmes - in these stories, rather than play it large, Briggs performs Holmes at almost a whisper pitch, and it is this approach that makes this audio set enthralling, so much so that you will be sorely tempted to order the other audios in the series.<br />
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One of the great aspects of the canon is that it can be adapted and molded towards a modern sensibility (witness Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss' <b>Sherlock</b>); however, what Nicholas Briggs and Big Finish have done is to make it appealing to a modern ear by focusing on the clarity and simplicity of the original language, making this as much as testament to the skill of Conan Doyle's writing as much as to the appeal of his characters. The fact that his language seems so appropriate to a 21st century medium - and audience - makes this a clear statement of Conan Doyle's career as an author.<br />
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If you are looking for a great listen either for traveling or commuting, please head to <a href="http://www.bigfinish.com/">Big Finish's web site</a> to order - they allow you to purchase either CD or digital download, and you will not be disappointed.<br />
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Especially since the audio does something very few adaptations do - draw upon the strength of Conan Doyle's writing style. Eerily atmospheric, this audio is worth adding to your collection. <br />
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<i>Editor's note: Gordon regularly covers the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the entertainment industry. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.blogthispal.com/">Blog THIS, Pal</a>! and <a href="http://www.comicrelated.com/">Comic Related</a>. </i><br />
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"A Clear Statement of His Career" [FINA]

One of the highlights of both Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and Season Two of the BBC 's Sherlock series are their unique takes...

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by Scott Monty

The End of the Encyclopedia Britannica

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"encyclopaedia down" [REDH] </h4>
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The legendary Encyclopedia Britannica is going out of print.<br />
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Those very words are almost as abrupt and arresting <a href="http://ignisart.com/camdenhouse/canon/redh.htm">as what Jabez Wilson saw</a> when he arrived at 7 Pope's Court, Fleet Street that fateful morning:<br />
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<b><i>The Red-Headed League is dissolved.</i></b></div>
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<a href="http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/after-244-years-encyclopaedia-britannica-stops-the-presses/">According to reports</a>, the 244 year-old print publication is suffering the fate of a world of information that is rapidly changing. The likes of Wikipedia and information at our fingertips by simply typing in keywords on search portals means that it's less likely that individuals will be turning to the printed page for up-to-date information. Rather, the company will focus its efforts on its online information and the services it provides to educational institutions.<br />
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The <i>New York Times'</i> <a href="http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/after-244-years-encyclopaedia-britannica-stops-the-presses/">Media Decoder</a> blog does a marvelous job of describing the cultural difference between today and that age when information was not quite as ubiquitous as it is today:<br />
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In the 1950s, having the Encyclopaedia Britannica on the bookshelf was akin to a station wagon in the garage or a black-and-white Zenith in the den, a possession coveted for its usefulness and as a goalpost for an aspirational middle class. Buying a set was often a financial stretch, and many families had to pay for it in monthly installments.</blockquote>
And of course, Jabez Wilson, as part of his rite of passage as a member of the Red-Headed League, had to copy out the Encyclopedia Britannica. If this story were to take place in the present day, we suppose the perpetrators of that hoax would have to borrow an older edition for this use, or perhaps have Mr. Wilson code his own website for hours on end.<br />
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Perhaps you have an idea of what the modern busy work might be in the absence of a physical encyclopedia. Let us know.<br />
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<i>When you make purchases from the links we share, it provides us with a stream of revenue to help keep this site running. Thank you for your generosity.</i><br />
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The End of the Encyclopedia Britannica

"encyclopaedia down" [REDH] The legendary Encyclopedia Britannica is going out of print. Those very words are almost as ...

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by Scott Monty

"The Last Message from Slaney" [DANC]

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Alfred A. (Fred) Levin, BSI ("Abe Slaney") died in a suburb of Chicago on February 17, 2012 at
the age of 83. He worked for various chemical companies as an organic chemist and upon
retirement worked at Scotland Yard Bookstore until it closed. He then went on to work for an
on-line book selling business.
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Fred was a pillar of not only his temple, but several others, as his temple didn't have daily
services.
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His many passions included the Civil War, sports (Cubs, Black Hawks, Bulls, and Bears), Tolkien,
and classical music. He had opera and symphony subscriptions for many years. Fred and his
wife Sunnie traveled extensively in Europe and enjoyed dining in gourmet restaurants.
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His love of all things Sherlockian extended to amassing an extensive collection of foreign
editions of the Canon. Fred was one of the founders of Torists International, President of the
Criterion Bar Association, Treasurer of The Watsonians, Board member of The Scotland Yarders,
and belonged to many other scions, including STUD Sherlockian Society, Hugo's Companions,
<a href="http://www.houndsofthebaskerville.org/">The Hounds of the Baskerville (sic)</a>, and Maiwand Jezails.
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Fred Levin was invested into the Baker Street Irregulars in 1993 as "Abe Slaney."
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We apologize for the size of the photo; if you have a larger photo of Fred, please let us know and we'll gladly update it.<br />
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"The Last Message from Slaney" [DANC]

Alfred A. (Fred) Levin, BSI ("Abe Slaney") died in a suburb of Chicago on February 17, 2012 at the age of 83. He worked for vari...

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by Francine Kitts

"If the Matter Is Beyond Humanity..." [DEVI]

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Very few Sherlockians would make the argument for Holmes as a vehicle to discuss religious or spiritual principles. In fact, quite the opposite - Holmes may be seen as the ultimate in rational thinkers, keeping himself within this world and staying within the realm of sheer intellect.<br />
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That would be a mistake, for as Stephen Kendrick suggests in his book <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375703381/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thebakerstree-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0375703381"><i>Holy Clues</i></a></b>, many spiritual lessons can be learned from Holmes' approach. (Recently, I had an opportunity to revisit the book, having read it a few years ago)<br />
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Subtitled "The Gospel According to Sherlock Holmes," the book uses Holmes' approach - with a liberal helping of other thinkers - to suggest a way of approaching spirituality through a more skeptical lens. Granted, the book may tactfully avoid the darker aspects of the canon, but Kendrick provides multiple examples of ways in which a Holmesian approach may strengthen one's spiritual convictions.<br />
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Thankfully, there is an open approach towards integrating different trains of spiritual thought, with Zen/Buddhist concepts given equal weight with Judeo-Christian ideas. It's a book that provides a great deal of enlightenment, and that may spark a great deal of debate and discussion amongst Holmes aficionados.<br />
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Granted, this is an unusual approach to the canon - treating it as a way of determining a spiritual lifestyle. Kendricks, however, manages to perform an impressive feat in <i>Holy Clues</i>, suggesting that matters beyond humanity are <i>not</i> necessarily beyond anyone....including Holmes.<br />
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Very highly recommended.<br />
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Have you read it? We would be interested in your opinion in the comments below.<br />
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<i>Editor's note: Gordon regularly covers the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the entertainment industry. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.blogthispal.com/">Blog THIS, Pal!</a> and <a href="http://www.comicrelated.com/">Comic Related</a>.</i><i><br /></i><br />
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