Mike Covell’s Blogg

Technical Information
London Correspondence: Jack the Ripper and the Irish Press
Author: Alan Sharp - with a foreword by Andy Aliffe
Subject Classification: Irish History/True Crime
Format/Extent: 240 x 170mm, 288pp
Illustrations: c.25 b/w photos/illustrations
ISBN: 1 901658 45 7
Publication Date: 7th February 2005

RRP: £11.99 + £3.00 P+P UK
£11.99 + £4.00 P+P Europe
£11.99 + £4.50 P+P Rest of the World
Available Here, http://www.randomalan.co.uk/

During my quest to get hold of reading material concerning the Whitechapel Murders and the press coverage they recieved I came across this title. I had read about it from an old issue of Ripper Notes, that I had bought off Amazon, but just couldn’t track down a copy of the book.
Thankfully, Alan was on hand to help me out, and after sending me the link to his website, a copy was ordered.

What struck me about this book, is how big it is, considering it looks at a small selection of reports from Ireland, during 1888, but this is what makes it unique. The book takes the reader on a journey through every twist and turn of the events that unfolded in 1888, including the political events that transpired during the Parnell Commission, and how the Irish Press percieved events in the UK.

The book starts with the first murder, before hitting us with a selection of reports discussing the social conditions that were present in Victorian London. Next up are a collection of reports showing the Irish opinion of Scotland Yard, and how bad the organisation is run, which proves to be a real eye opener.

Chapters on Annie Chapman’s murder, and Leather Apron follow, looking at the arrest, investigation and release of Piser, before we are given a short breather with chapters on the Irish, and how they are percieved as murderers, and bad people by the English! This gives the reader a unique insight into the tensions between the two Nations during this period, but offers little respite before the double event.

It was during this period that the newspaper’s appeared to go into overdrive, the book taking two chapters to cover the murders, victims antecedents, investigations, and inquests.

Another short interlude to look at The Irish Home Rule, with a views and political analysis, before were back to Whitechapel for articles on Bloodhounds, Policemen and Politicians, in what is one of my favourite chapters of the book, highlighting the tensions between the police, press, and polititicians, which is a shame, as they more or less had a common goal!

Next up is the murder of Mary Kelly, looking at Mary’s life and trying to trace her origins, whilst looking at the vicious murders, and how they were percieved by both the public and the press.

Finally, we have time to relax, as the final chapter deals with the aftermath, the resignations, and the final murders, although not attributed to Jack, where a part of the Whitechapel Murder series.

What really struck me about this book is the amount of work Alan has put into it, not only is it packed full of hundreds of reports from a massive range of newspapers, but each report comes with a commentary, pointing out the errors and myths, and giving the reader more information about the people, places, and events that are unfolding in the press.

Alan also undertook a massive amount of research into Mary Kelly, which is presented in the book, and there are also several large appendix, packed full of information for readers wishing to research further.

This is one of the few books that can be picked up and read wherever you are, you really don’t need to follow events, or keep track of what, where and when, as the commentary is written in such a manner, that your informed before you start reading each article, thus making the book, an easy to use reference guide.

I cannot recommend this book enough!!