The game is afoot with this welcome addition to the large and ever-growing body of literature about "the only unofficial consulting detective," Sherlock Holmes. O'Brien provides a new and stimulating slant on a subject that never seems to grow old. A triumph of deduction!

Joseph G. Pigeon, SOCB, Professor, Villanova University

The Scientific Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case with Science and Forensics presents a wonderful, fresh approach to the greatest fictional detective of all time. This book is ideal for anyone who has an interest in either Sherlock Homes, science in general, or forensic science in particular. A compelling cornucopia of forensic science applications is provided in the context of the specialized knowledge of Holmes in chemistry, mathematics, biology, and physics, and much more. O'Brien's book provides a window into the mind of Sherlock Holmes and the practice of deductive science reasoning.

Tom Rybolt, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and coauthor of The Chemical Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

O'Brien is persuasive when he says that science gives the stories a sense of plausibility and an authenticity that prior detective fiction lacked. Conan Doyle's fiction appropriates the authority of Victorian science; Holmes's forensic investigations allow readers to vicariously experience his scientific achievements in a setting more thrilling than a university laboratory.

Jonathon Keats, New Scientist

Se alle

...highly recommended as a valuable addition to the library of Holmesians and Sherlockians everywhere.

Times (London) Higher Education Section

Essentially a pocket guide to the science in Holmes's adventures - short enough to read quickly but packed full of facts and quotations from Conan Doyle's 60 stories about the maverick detective.

Christine Sutton, CERN Courier

Engaging and enlightening, this book will probably be most appreciated by those who are new to the Sherlock Holmes stories or to the history of forensics, by fans of Cumberbatch's Sherlock who are seeking a deeper understanding of the stories, and also by "Sherlockians" who devoutly read everything ever published about their fictional hero.

GrrlScientist, The Guardian

One need not be a scientist or a previous Holmes fan to enjoy this book.

R. E. Buntrock, CHOICE

This book is highly recommended as a valuable addition to the library of Holmesians and Sherlockians everywhere.

Stephen Wade, Times Higher Education

One of the most popular and widely known characters in all of fiction, Sherlock Holmes has an enduring appeal based largely on his uncanny ability to make the most remarkable deductions from the most mundane facts. The very first words that Sherlock Holmes ever says to Dr. Watson are, "How are you? You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive." Watson responds, "How on earth did you know that?" And so a crime-solving legend is born. In The Scientific Sherlock Holmes, James O'Brien provides an in-depth look at Holmes's use of science in his investigations. Indeed, one reason for Holmes's appeal is his frequent use of the scientific method and the vast scientific knowledge which he drew upon to solve mysteries. For instance, in heart of the book, the author reveals that Holmes was a pioneer of forensic science, making use of fingerprinting well before Scotland Yard itself had adopted the method. One of the more appealing aspects of the book is how the author includes real-world background on topics such as handwriting analysis, describing how it was used to capture the New York Zodiac killer and to clinch the case against the Lindbergh baby kidnapper. Sherlock Holmes was knowledgeable about several sciences, most notably chemistry. Therefore the book takes a close look at Holmes the chemist and discusses, for example, chemical poisons such as carbon monoxide, chloroform, and Prussic acid (the historical name for hydrogen cyanide). The author also debunks Isaac Asimov's famous assertion that Holmes was a blundering chemist. In addition, the book discusses mathematics, physics, biology, astronomy, meteorology, and geology, always in the context of Holmes's exploits. Sherlock Holmes continues to fascinate millions of readers and movie goers alike. The Scientific Sherlock Holmes is a must-read for the legion of fans of this most beloved of all fictional detectives. The paperback version will continue to interest two primary groups: the community of avid Holmes fans who meet regularly to celebrate and discuss the stories, and the scientific community. What scientist would not wish to be "the most perfect reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen"? Sherlock Holmes, Watson assures us, was precisely that. Scientists admire Holmes's devotion to fact, his intellectual brilliance, and the way he separates emotion from his work, and will be especially attracted by a book that explicitly discusses Holmes from a scientific perspective.
Les mer
The Scientific Sherlock Holmes connects Holmes' vegetable poisons with concepts in botany, his use of fingerprinting with forensic science, and carbon monoxide poisoning and hemoglobin tests with concepts in chemistry, thus integrating the Holmes stories with all branches of science.
Les mer
Introduction Chapter 1. How Sherlock Holmes Got His Start Chapter 2. Meet the Main Characters Chapter 3. Sherlock Holmes: Pioneer in Forensic Science Chapter 4. Sherlock Holmes: Chemist Chapter 5. Sherlock Holmes: Other Sciences Conclusion Appendix
Les mer
"The game is afoot with this welcome addition to the large and ever-growing body of literature about "the only unofficial consulting detective," Sherlock Holmes. O'Brien provides a new and stimulating slant on a subject that never seems to grow old. A triumph of deduction!" -- Joseph G. Pigeon, SOCB, Professor, Villanova University "The Scientific Sherlock Holmes: Cracking the Case with Science and Forensics presents a wonderful, fresh approach to the greatest fictional detective of all time. This book is ideal for anyone who has an interest in either Sherlock Homes, science in general, or forensic science in particular. A compelling cornucopia of forensic science applications is provided in the context of the specialized knowledge of Holmes in chemistry, mathematics, biology, and physics, and much more. O'Brien's book provides a window into the mind of Sherlock Holmes and the practice of deductive science reasoning." -- Tom Rybolt, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and coauthor of The Chemical Adventures of Sherlock Holmes "O'Brien is persuasive when he says that science gives the stories a sense of plausibility and an authenticity that prior detective fiction lacked. Conan Doyle's fiction appropriates the authority of Victorian science; Holmes's forensic investigations allow readers to vicariously experience his scientific achievements in a setting more thrilling than a university laboratory." -- Jonathon Keats, New Scientist "...highly recommended as a valuable addition to the library of Holmesians and Sherlockians everywhere." -- Times (London) Higher Education Section "Essentially a pocket guide to the science in Holmes's adventures - short enough to read quickly but packed full of facts and quotations from Conan Doyle's 60 stories about the maverick detective." -- Christine Sutton, CERN Courier "Engaging and enlightening, this book will probably be most appreciated by those who are new to the Sherlock Holmes stories or to the history of forensics, by fans of Cumberbatch's Sherlock who are seeking a deeper understanding of the stories, and also by "Sherlockians" who devoutly read everything ever published about their fictional hero." -- GrrlScientist, The Guardian "One need not be a scientist or a previous Holmes fan to enjoy this book." -- R. E. Buntrock, CHOICE "This book is highly recommended as a valuable addition to the library of Holmesians and Sherlockians everywhere." -- Stephen Wade, Times Higher Education
Les mer
Selling point: Considers all scientific aspects of the Holmesian Canon Selling point: Demonstrates Holmes' use of forensic techniques in his work, which many other scholars haven't focused on
Jim O'Brien is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Missouri State University. A lifelong fan of Holmes, O'Brien presented his paper "What Kind of Chemist Was Sherlock Holmes" at the 1992 national American Chemical Society meeting, which resulted in an invitation to write a chapter on Holmes the chemist in the book Chemistry and Science Fiction. O'Brien has since given over 120 lectures on Holmes and science.
Les mer
Selling point: Considers all scientific aspects of the Holmesian Canon Selling point: Demonstrates Holmes' use of forensic techniques in his work, which many other scholars haven't focused on

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780190670917
Publisert
2017
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press Inc
Vekt
295 gr
Høyde
231 mm
Bredde
155 mm
Dybde
15 mm
Aldersnivå
G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
196

Forfatter

Biographical note

Jim O'Brien is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Missouri State University. A lifelong fan of Holmes, O'Brien presented his paper "What Kind of Chemist Was Sherlock Holmes" at the 1992 national American Chemical Society meeting, which resulted in an invitation to write a chapter on Holmes the chemist in the book Chemistry and Science Fiction. O'Brien has since given over 120 lectures on Holmes and science.