About the Book
Doyle’s World 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 early1900s. 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 in1882?
* 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 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.
About the Author :
Daniel L. Friedman, MD, received his BA from Stony Brook University, andhis medical degree from St. George’s School of Medicine. He is currently apracticing pediatrician in Floral Park, New York, and is also an active memberof the Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where he sits on the voluntary staffadvisory committee. Dr. Friedman’s prize-winning articles on Doyle and Holmeshave appeared in numerous national and international journals. He and Dr.Eugene Friedman are also the authors of the book, The Strange Case of Doctor Doyle. Dr. Friedman resides in LongIsland, New York with his wife, Elena, and their three children.
Eugene Friedman, MD, received his BA from New York University, and hismedical degree from New York Medical College. He was Chief Resident inPediatrics at New York Medical College and later served as Assistant Chief ofPediatrics at Martin Army Hospital at Fort Benning, Georgia. Dr. Friedman hasbeen in private practice with his son, Daniel, for over twenty years.. He hasheld multiple leadership positions in organized medicine and has devotedhimself to the education of future physicians. He and his wife, Sheryl, live inLong Island, New York and have five children and fifteen grandchildren.
Review :
“A deep dive into all things [Sir Arthur Conan] Doyle . . . [T]he father-and-son team of Eugene and Daniel Friedman offers a ‘fresh and unexpected perspective’ on the doctor and his famous fictional character. They begin by looking at Arthur Conan Doyle’s early years ‘under the lens of a microscope,’ uncovering obscure bits of biographical information, concluding Doyle inserted portions of his personality and early years into the characters of Holmes and Watson . . . They uncover a ‘long overlooked and virtually unknown Black leader Doyle met . . . [who] ‘lurks behind his civil rights–inspired tales’ . . . [and cover] Doyle’s importance as a doctor who spoke out about urgent health matters like vaccinations and water contaminants . . . They also consider how Professor John Moriarty and Holmes’ relationship was becoming a ‘millstone’ around the physician’s neck. After he killed Holmes off, ardent readers persuaded Doyle to bring him back . . . The book concludes with a special treat: two stories by one of Doyle’s mentors, Dr. Reginald Ratcliff Hoare, stories the Friedmans endeavor to prove with scrupulous textual analysis were actually written by Doyle . . . suited for hard-core fans [of Doyle and Holmes].”
“There’s a whole book-load here . . . illustratingthe authors’ thesis that ‘Doyle used his own life as a source for his fiction.’Sometimes gloriously, as when the Skriker, a mythical beast from his childhood,is magnificently reincarnated as the glowing Hound of the Baskervilles .. . There are knockouts, such as when it’s revealed that ‘The Sign of the Four’is a landlocked version of Stevenson’s Treasure Island . . .Sherlockians will love this and want more.”
"[A] lively book . . . [the Friedmans] are clearly in their element when drawing (and often uncovering) connections between historical events, people Doyle encountered, and the myriad plot twists and characters in the Holmes tales . . . Topics are covered in copious detail, with layer upon layer of context and explanation . . . [the Friedmans] have also published here in this book—for the first time—two short stories that the Friedmans believe were actually written by [Sir Arthur Conan] Doyle in the late 1800s under a pseudonym . . . If the world of Sherlock Holmes and its ever-inventive creator Doyle grip you in the same thrall that it so clearly has the Friedmans, then Doyle’s World — Lost Found will be a great read. It’s packed with lore, real-life detail, ambitious assertions, and an obvious — and infectious — love of its subject."
“AN ENGAGINGREAD”
“While ostensibly a biography of [Sir Arthur Conan] Doyle, Doyle’sWorld—Lost Found is, in fact, much more . . . It therefore‘transcends mere biography and literary criticism,’ The authors intentionallyeschew from using any biographies or book written about Doyle after 1943, andinstead rely on primary sources . . . [It] will appeal most to fellowenthusiasts of Doyle and his Sherlock Holmes mysteries . . . an engaging read . . . following [the authors’] case is always a pleasure and enjoying howthey let their evidence unfold is part of the fun.”
“This is an intriguing book, a book which is a mustread if you are a Sherlock Holmes hardcore fan but also an entertaining one asConan Doyle was a complex character: a physician, a spiritualist, a scientistattracted by the paranormal, a man who faced a lot of grief . . . [authors] Danieland Eugene Friedman did a lot of research and delivered an intriguing book thatdoesn’t leave any shadow or mystery in Doyle’s life . . . It’s a great read ifyou are interested in the history of mystery writing or a great fan of Holmes.”
"The game is still afoot. In the case of Arthur Conan Doyle, whose Sherlock Holmes stories continue to intrigue, puzzle and surprise readers, new clues await revelation. You'll find them in Doyle's World—Lost Found."
"Is there a Sherlockian fan on your list? Then imagine the excitement when Doyle’s World Lost Found: The Unknown Histories of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by Daniel Friedman, MD, and Eugene Friedman, MD, (Square One Publishers) is beneath the tree. This book fills in a lot of the cracks between the Holmes mysteries with info from the tales’ author’s life. Fans of literature will want this book, and so will Holmes readers." --Terri Schlichenmeyer, syndicated book reviewer ("The Bookworm Sez")
