Publisher's Synopsis
DOYLE'S WORLD - LOST & FOUND is no ordinary biography about one of the world's most influential writers. It is instead a work that deciphers in particular the cryptic origins and actual scientific methods used by fiction's most famous consulting detective Sherlock Holmes - and a work that provides a detailed look into the psyche and working life of Holmes' creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The book follows Doyle's entire illustrious literary career, with emphasis on the Sherlock Holmes mysteries as they evolved from the late 1880s to the early 1900s. Revealed here for the first time - by son-father writing team Daniel Friedman, MD, and Eugene Friedman, MD - are the many inspirations behind the physical, emotional, and intellectual characteristics that Doyle wove together so deftly to bring his legendary sleuth to life. Readers are in for many surprises as the Friedmans bring forth tantalizing parallels between the literary realm of both Sherlock Holmes - along with his various other fiction and nonfiction works - and the actual events from Doyle's childhood and early adulthood that served as frequent inspiration. The authors offer answers to long-debated and mysterious questions, such as: · From whom did Sherlock Holmes actually learn the art of detective work? · Why did Doyle kill off Sherlock Holmes - and how did the country of Japan inspire how he brought his famous detective back to life after nearly a decade? · What story elements did Doyle borrow from Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island? · How did Doyle apply his fervent belief in Spiritualism to a variety of Holmes stories? · Who inspired Doyle to write about civil rights after a steamship journey in 1882? · How did the women in Doyle's life come to influence the relationships with women that both Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson have across sixty written adventures? DOYLE'S WORLD - LOST & FOUND is divided into three sections. The first is dedicated to the elements - both good and bad - that comprised Doyle's childhood and early adult years, and how an assemblage of persons and places and things from his life found their way into his literature. The second section emphasizes the highly complex themes and plots present in the Sherlock Holmes adventures, while it also thoroughly examines some of Doyle's strengths - and weaknesses - as a public figure of his time. The Friedmans also reveal how Doyle was able to subtly incorporate his own political, social, and religious views - in particular, his passionate and often bewildering embrace of Spiritualism - into the Holmes stories. And in the third section, the authors offer two "lost" stories they uncovered that were written by Doyle under a pseudonym - accompanied by textual analysis with which they make their case. This is a work of rich detail and in-depth scholarship that should win over both established fans of Doyle and devoted "Sherlockians" everywhere - and that will engage, and entertain, all others who enter this intriguing hall of literary mirrors. "Everything you ever wanted to know about the dynamic duo" "For fans of Sherlock Holmes and his creator, you can't do better than plunge into Doyle's World-Lost & Found: The Unknown Histories of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. There you will find everything you ever wanted to know about the dynamic duo, including much it never would have occurred to you to ask." -Nicholas Meyer, Oscar-nominated screenwriter/director and bestselling author ofThe Seven-Per-Cent Solution and The Return of the Pharaoh "Your passport to a thrilling world" "Absolutely mesmerizing! Son-father duo Daniel Friedman, MD and Eugene Friedman, MD take us on a vividly written journey into the mysterious labyrinth that is the life and mind of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle-a deft unraveling of the tapestry of inspirations, experiences and intricate puzzle pieces that gave birth to the enigmatic genius of Sherlock Holmes. Whether you're a devoted 'Sherlockian,' an aficionado of literature, or an eager explorer of the human psyche, this book is your passport to a thrilling world where fiction and reality blur into one." -Ben Mezrich, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental Billionaires and Dumb Money "Impressive research" "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle revolutionized the mystery novel when he created Sherlock Holmes-but now, in their new book Doyle's World, the Friedmans may just have revolutionized how we look at Doyle himself. Drawing on all manner of impressive research, this book delivers the goods. It even presents some brand new mysteries of its own, with solutions to boot. Holmes and Doyle fans, unite!" -Jeffery Deaver, bestselling author of The Bone Collector and Hunting Time "Detect clues to long-debated Doylean literary mysteries" "Whether you call yourself a 'Holmesian,' a 'Watsonite'-or, God forbid, a 'Lestradian'-you will be thrilled to detect clues to long-debated Doylean literary mysteries revealed by Drs. Friedman and Friedman without leaving the comfort of your own tatty, Le Corbusier armchair. Had another crazy day? Then relax with an old Hungarian Tokay, indulge in some common black shag in a briarwood pipe, and savor Doyle's World-Lost & Found: The Unknown Histories of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The game is afoot!" -Ian Punnett, MDiv, PhD Coast to Coast AM / iHeart Radio
