The scientific Sherlock Holmes :

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.

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

O'Brien, emeritus distinguished professor of chemistry at Missouri State University, delves deep into the science behind Sherlock Holmes in this brief and engaging volume. The book is clearly aimed at Holmes aficionados-each of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 60 stories featuring the detective are referenced via accepted Holmesian shorthand (e.g., "ABBE" for "The Abbey Grange")-yet the author treats his subject and his associates (Doctor Watson, the long-suffering Mrs. Hudson, and Holmes's bete noir, Professor Moriarty) with obvious affection, and it's catching-his journey into Sherlockian science is both endearing and informative. O'Brien discusses Holmes's investigative acumen according to categories of evidence (e.g., finger- and footprints, hand- and typewritten documents) and provides interesting real-life examples of crimes solved with similar techniques, such as the New York Zodiac killings and the Lindbergh baby kidnapping. O'Brien, a loyal fellow test-tuber, devotes significant energy to defending Holmes against criticisms that he was a sorry chemist, and while the asides are interesting, the intensely detailed science behind the apologia might turn off casual readers. Nevertheless, the scientific rigor with which both scribe and subject approach their tasks is abundantly evident. Illus. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

Combining two popular topics, the uses of science in criminal investigations and literature's most famed detective, O'Brien surveys and appraises the scientific ability of Sherlock Holmes. As he inventories such Holmes-story crime-scene clues as footprints, ciphers, and poisons, O'Brien informs his readers of controversies among Holmes fans concerning their hero's powers of scientific deduction. Sf author Isaac Asimov, for example, criticized Holmes as a bad chemist, which O'Brien, a chemistry professor by occupation, largely refutes, though with concessions to Asimov on particular points. Overall, O'Brien praises Holmes, or rather his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, as in scientific step with his times, at least until Doyle seemingly killed off Holmes and his archenemy, Dr. Moriarty, in The Final Problem, in 1893. Although Doyle deployed science when he revived Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1901), O'Brien holds that scientific sophistication degraded in the later stories, which O'Brien links to a lessening in their literary quality, compared to that of the earlier ones. Nevertheless, the scientific intricacies of O'Brien's analyses should pique the timeless interest in the cases of Sherlock Holmes.--Taylor, Gilbert Copyright 2010 Booklist

Choice Review

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most recognized fictional characters in history, still appearing today in a number of media. Even casual readers of the Holmes "canon" have surely noticed the emphasis on science, as either the primary focus or at least in brief mention. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author, was trained as a physician, which accounts for Holmes's prowess as a deductive scientist. O'Brien (emer., Missouri State), a recognized Holmes expert, begins with a biography of Conan Doyle, followed by "biographies" of Holmes; his companion, Dr. Watson; and their archenemy, Moriarty. Succeeding chapters cover the breadth of sciences employed by Holmes, including math, anatomy, botany, physics, optics, astronomy, geology, meteorology, and especially chemistry (the specialty of this book's author). The chapter on Holmes's forensic methods includes discussions of Bertillon measurements, fingerprints, footprints, handwriting, and cryptology--many of which crime fighters use today. The 60 Holmes stories are cited throughout with a terse but effective four-letter code. One need not be a scientist or a previous Holmes fan to enjoy this book. It is well suited to general courses like "Chemistry for Poets" or courses on forensics or history of chemistry, or academic book clubs. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates, two-year technical program students, and general readers. R. E. Buntrock formerly, University of Maine

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xi
Introduction	p. xiii
Codes	p. xv
The Sherlockian Canon: Review of the Contents	p. xix
1 How Sherlock Holmes Got His Start	p. 1
1.1 Arthur Conan Doyle	p. 1
1.2 The Influence of Edgar Allan Poe	p. 5
1.3 The Influence of Dr. Joseph Bell	p. 12
2 Meet the Main Characters	p. 16
2.1 Sherlock Holmes	p. 16
2.2 Dr. John H. Watson	p. 25
2.3 Professor James Moriarty	p. 33
2.4 Other Important Characters	p. 38
3 Sherlock Holmes: Pioneer in Forensic Science	p. 48
3.1 The Methods of Bertillon	p. 48
3.2 Fingerprints	p. 50
3.3 Footprints	p. 55
3.4 Handwritten Documents	p. 61
3.5 Printed Documents	p. 69
3.6 Crypto logy	p. 73
3.7 Dogs	p. 82
3.8 Conclusion	p. 87
4 Sherlock Holmes: Chemist	p. 88
4.1 Introduction: Profound or Eccentric?	p. 88
4.2 Coal-tar Derivatives and Dyes	p. 92
4.3 Chemical Poisons	p. 95
4.4 Asimov's View: Holmes the Blundering Chemist	p. 104
4.5 Other Chemicals	p. 111
4.6 Conclusion: Profound or Eccentric?	p. 116
5 Sherlock Holmes: Other Sciences	p. 121
5.1 Mathematics	p. 121
5.2 Biology	p. 129
5.3 Physics	p. 135
5.4 Other Sciences	p. 144
Conclusion	p. 152
Appendix	p. 157
References	p. 161
Index	p. 167

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Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Booklist Review

Choice Review

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