Saucy Jack: The Elusive Ripper - Softcover

Baddeley, Gavin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0711034109 ISBN 13: 9780711034105

Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing, 2009

Synopsis

Scarcely a year goes by without a new book, TV program or magazine article claiming to have solved the mystery of Jack the Ripper the perpetrator of five brutal prostitute murders that shocked London in the summer and autumn of 1888. The fascination with this squalid episode is partly because Jack the Ripper is widely believed to have been the first serial killer, although the main draw of the case undoubtedly stems from the Ripper never having been positively identified hence he remains a blood-spattered silhouette upon which fantasies have been projected.Although Jack as an entity was almost certainly invented by an unscrupulous hack, he was also an archetype of his time decked in the top hat and cloak of a Victorian melodrama villain, stalking the fog-wreathed streets of old London. The genesis of Jack lies in London folklore, which attributed the name to many of its most flamboyant or infamous, figures, real or mythical. Numerous Ripper theories emerged at the time, which tell us more about the prejudices and attitudes of the Victorian mind than they do about the killer s true identity. Xenophobia reared its head in the racist conviction that he was a Hindoo cultist performing human sacrifices according to the phases of the moon, or that the Ripper was a Russian or a Jew. The misogyny of the day was expressed in the Jill the Ripper theory, painting the murderer as a maverick midwife turned abortionist, whilst Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had a more novel theory, believing the Ripper must have been passing undetected while dressed as a woman. As fascination with the case has endured, so theories of the Ripper s identity, both novel and outlandish, have reflected the concerns of the time; the Duke of Clarence has had the finger pointed at him by anti-monarchists, while upper class disdain for prostitution prompted George Bernard Shaw s ironic observation that the Ripper was a great social reformer . Recently explored by interviewee Ivor Edwards was the idea that the killer was a Satanist. Ironically, this theory rests heavily on the claims of Edwardian black magician Aleister Crowley who often hinted he knew the identity of the killer. However, the most highly touted recent revelation comes from mooted interviewee and best-selling crime fiction author Patricia Cornwell who believes the Ripper was in reality the impressionist artist Walter Sickert.This gripping new book examines the heinous case from every angle, exploring theories both plausible and eccentric which have captured the imagination of the public for over a century. Jack the Ripper the legacy of a serial killer or the product of nightmarish obsession and prejudice? This intriguing study opens the bloody case once more, giving every reader the chance to conclude for themselves, once and for all, the true answer to one of history s most elusive mysteries.

About this title

About the Author

GAVIN BADDELEY - A BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 'Baddeley is quickly becoming the patron saint of gothic journalism because of his humorous, sometimes ironic writing style, his thoroughness, and his obvious interest in the dark cultures.' Journal of Pop Culture Gavin Baddeley is an acclaimed UK author and journalist. A childhood preoccupation with all things dark and grotesque blossomed into a career specialising in devilment and decadence, penning countless articles for diverse publications, ranging from Metal Hammer to Medieval History, and the Observer to Knave. His efforts attracted the attention of San Francisco's infamous 'Black Pope' Anton LaVey, who ordained him as an honorary priest in the Church of Satan. Gavin's expertise has made him a popular speaker in a number of arenas, delivering addresses on Satanism to academic institutions as far afield as Cambridge University and the University of Wisconsin. He has also been employed as a consultant and interviewee on all of the major UK TV stations, acting as the occult authority for Channel 4, talking about Satanic conspiracies on the BBC, Goth on MTV, horror films on Channel 5, and ritual crime on Sky News, as well as serving as onscreen expert on demonic music for the acclaimed big screen feature documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. Gavin is also a familiar face on the film festival circuit, with lectures on cursed celluloid upcoming at the Bram Stoker Film Festival, and vampires and disease at the Abertoir Festival in Wales. The author favours locales with 'old bones' for inspiration, and currently lives in the northern English city of York, where it's said the spectral sandals of long-dead Roman centurions still walk its ancient streets. Gavin Baddeley's books include: Lucifer Rising ('A gilt-edged (oc)cult classic.' NME), Goth Chic ('Goth Chic is an essential handbook for aspiring Goths.' Loaded) Dissecting Marilyn Manson ('Informative and thought-provoking, this belongs on your shelf whether you're a fan or not.' Record Collector), God's Assassins * ('really captures the complexity of Hasan's position in history...a different approach to exploring the diverse echoes one small group of people can have down the centuries.' Fortean Times) The Gospel of Filth ('An occult classic.' The Observer) Saucy Jack * ('Written from a hip, informed perspective... thoroughly enjoyable... I will certainly be keen to snare myself copies of future instalments in this compelling series.' Mudkiss) Goth: Vamps and Dandies ('Book of the Month' Bizarre) Vampire Lovers ('Vampire Lovers is a brilliant resource for fans of the undead in TV and film.' Wondrous Reads) * Co-authored with Paul Woods.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0711034109
• ISBN 13: 9780711034105
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256