{"product_id":"the-real-sir-arthur-conan-doyle-the-creator-of-sherlock-holmes-9781399042055","title":"The Real Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The Creator of Sherlock Holmes","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eIn 1900, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a successful doctor, sportsman, historical novelist, and champion of the oppressed. However, in 1916, he surprised his readers by declaring that he believed in spiritualism and, in 1922, published a book in which he professed to believe in fairies. Dr. Andrew Norman's study of Doyle's life reveals the origin of his strange beliefs, including his alcoholic father and his involvement in the Cottingley Fairies affair. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 224 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 30 July 2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Pen \u0026amp; Sword Books Ltd\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the year 1900, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a man of remarkable accomplishments. He was a qualified doctor, an avid sportsman, a talented writer of historical novels, a champion of the oppressed, and most notably, the creator of the iconic and beloved master-detective Sherlock Holmes. Every new Holmes story was eagerly anticipated and met with unwavering confidence, for it was believed that no matter how complex the crime, the supremely intelligent and logical detective would unravel it with his unparalleled wit and reasoning. However, in 1916, Conan Doyle shocked his readers by declaring his belief in spiritualism. This unexpected revelation came as a surprise, especially considering the unwavering logic and rationality that defined his famous character. Two years later, in 1922, Doyle published a book titled \"The Coming of the Fairies,\" in which he openly professed his belief in fairies. This further perplexed his devotees, as it seemed inconsistent with the creator of the meticulously logical Sherlock Holmes. How could the man who had crafted such a meticulously constructed world of deduction and reason believe in something as vague, esoteric, and unproven as the paranormal?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this captivating exploration of the life of the man behind Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Andrew Norman delves into the origins of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's peculiar beliefs. He seeks to uncover the secrets behind Doyle's enigmatic mindset, exploring the influence of Doyle's alcoholic father and his involvement in the notorious Cottingley Fairies affair. Through meticulous research and analysis of medical records and Doyle's own writings, Dr. Norman unravels a mystery as thrilling and captivating as any of the cases undertaken by the great Sherlock Holmes himself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSir Arthur Conan Doyle's life was marked by a series of contradictions and complexities. Born in 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland, he was the second of six children. His father, Charles Altamont Doyle, was an alcoholic who struggled with financial difficulties and often left his family in poverty. Despite this challenging upbringing, Doyle showed a remarkable talent for writing and storytelling from a young age. He began his career as a journalist, contributing articles to various publications and even penning a novel titled \"The Adventures of Brigadier Gerard.\" However, it was his creation of Sherlock Holmes that truly catapulted him to fame.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe character of Sherlock Holmes first appeared in print in 1887 in the short story \"A Study in Scarlet.\" Doyle's portrayal of Holmes was a departure from the traditional detective characters of the time, who were often portrayed as solitary and aloof. Instead, Holmes was a complex and multifaceted character, with a keen intellect, a remarkable ability to observe and analyze, and a deep sense of empathy for his fellow man.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOver the course of the next several decades, Doyle wrote dozens of Sherlock Holmes stories, each one more intricate and compelling than the last. The character became a cultural phenomenon, with millions of readers around the world eagerly consuming his adventures. Doyle himself was a keen sportsman, enjoying activities such as golf, cricket, and boxing. He was also an avid traveler, visiting many countries and experiencing different cultures firsthand.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite his success and fame, Doyle's personal life was not without its challenges. He struggled with alcoholism throughout his life, and his relationship with his wife, Louise Hawkins, was often strained. Doyle also faced criticism for his beliefs in spiritualism and fairies, which were seen as unconventional and controversial.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1916, Doyle announced his belief in spiritualism, which he described as \"a belief in the survival of the human soul after death.\" This announcement came as a surprise to many of his readers, who had grown accustomed to the logical and rational world of Sherlock Holmes. However, Doyle explained that his belief in spiritualism was not incompatible with his belief in science and reason. He believed that the soul was a spiritual entity that could survive the physical body and continue to exist in the afterlife.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite the controversy surrounding his beliefs, Doyle continued to write and publish his works. He published several more Sherlock Holmes stories, as well as other novels and non-fiction works. However, his personal life continued to be a source of turmoil. In 1922, Doyle published \"The Coming of the Fairies,\" a book in which he openly professed his belief in fairies. This book was met with mixed reactions, with some readers dismissing it as nonsense while others praised Doyle's courage in expressing his unconventional beliefs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the years following his publication of \"The Coming of the Fairies,\" Doyle's health declined rapidly. He suffered from heart disease and other health issues, and he died in 1930 at the age of 70. His legacy, however, continues to endure. Sherlock Holmes remains one of the most iconic characters in literature, and his stories continue to be read and enjoyed by millions of people around the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a man of remarkable accomplishments and a complex personality. His belief in spiritualism and fairies was a source of controversy and surprise, especially considering the logical and rational world of Sherlock Holmes. Despite this, Doyle continued to write and publish his works, and his legacy continues to endure. Sherlock Holmes remains one of the most iconic characters in literature, and his stories continue to be read and enjoyed by millions of people around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 488g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 163 x 241 x 24 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781399042055\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Andrew Norman","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":44526026064122,"sku":"9781399042055","price":14.64,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1692379007434_book.jpg?v=1693392548","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/the-real-sir-arthur-conan-doyle-the-creator-of-sherlock-holmes-9781399042055","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}