Sherlock Holmes's London: Explore the city in the footsteps of the great detective

This is a beautiful book, and the effort that has gone into producing it is impressive. I wish I’d had this in hand during the two times I’ve been able to visit London on my Holmes Pilgrimages, as it would have added to the enjoyment.This handsome volume is full of wonderful photos of old London from those times associated with Our Heroes, Holmes and Watson. I must complain, however, about the images of Holmes used to illustrate other portions of the book. Apparently catering to the modern television viewer who has the wrong idea of who Sherlock Holmes was, this book is overloaded with pictures of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, when so many other illustrations of portrayers of Holmes and Watson could have been chosen instead.There is a common misconception that, just because their characters are named Holmes and Watson, Cumberbatch and Freeman are actually playing Holmes and Watson. They are not. They are no more Holmes and Watson than Dr. House or Monk was Holmes. Except for the same names and a few personality traits, the characters in the current BBC show are not Holmes and Watson. They are some alternate universe simulacrums, and not the real deal.In this book, the true Holmes, as drawn by Sidney Paget, is represented exactly once. Just once. Some very famous actors who have played Holmes, such as Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, and Douglas Wilmer, are not shown at all. Jeremy Brett is only shown twice, Robert Downey, Jr. twice, and the obscure Clive Brook once. But Benedict Cumberbatch, who has yet to actually play Holmes (although he will do so in a one-time special, probably to be shown in late 2015) is shown as Holmes six times.The same complaint stands for Watson. While Martin Freeman, playing a character named Watson, is shown three times, other more accurate portrayers are shown less. David Burke is shown just once (and Edward Hardwicke not at all!) Jude Law twice, and the very obscure H. Reeves Smith once. A number of other screen Watsons are ignored in order to overload the book with Freeman. Worst of all, the only representation of Mycroft Holmes is Mark Gatiss, who is the least likely Mycroft ever. And Speedy's Cafe has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Sherlock Holmes.I wanted to give this book five stars for the effort involved, as well as for the great job it did portraying the London of the true Holmes and Watson. But I’m taking away a star simply for the irritation I felt every time I ran across yet another picture of Cumberbatch and Freeman, purporting to be Holmes and Watson. I urge that, if future editions are published, a better balance of photos be chosen. Even after Cumberbatch and Freeman actually play Holmes and Watson for the very first time in late 2015, it will have only been for one episode, and there are many more important people to show.

Full of wonderful pictures and clear easy to read text, this has exceeded my expectations. I have spent many hours looking at and reading it and it has me itching to return to re-read the original Conan Doyle works. Many other similar books are dry or just full of name-dropping references, but this one brings the city to life. A must read for any Holmes fan.

Excellent guide.

Good companion volume to the stories.

This book is full of many wonderful old photos (mostly in sepia) and colorful ephemera (posters, diagrams, etc.). Also, the written material is very interesting and informative.

GREAT SELLER+VALUE

A wonderful follow up to Shepherd's 'At Home with Henry VIII'. Beautifully illustrated and just as much the story of late nineteenth century London as it is a history of Conan Doyle's fictional detective. Bravo.