They All Love Jack

Busting the Ripper

By: Bruce Robinson

Narrated by: Bruce Robinson, Phil Fox

The iconoclastic writer and director of the revered classic Withnail & I—"The funniest British film of all time" (Esquire)—returns to London in a decade-long examination of the most provocative murder investigation in British history, and finally solves the identity of the killer known as "Jack the Ripper."

In a literary high-wire act reminiscent of both Hunter S. Thompson and Errol Morris, Bruce Robinson offers a radical reinterpretation of Jack the Ripper, contending that he was not the madman of common legend, but the vile manifestation of the Victorian Age's moral bankruptcy.

In exploring the case of Jack the Ripper, Robison goes beyond the who that has obsessed countless others and focuses on the why. He asserts that any "gentlemen" that walked above the fetid gutters of London, the nineteenth century's most depraved city, often harbored proclivities both violent and taboo—yearnings that went entirely unpunished, especially if he also bore royal connections. The story of Jack the Ripper hinges on accounts that were printed and distributed throughout history by the same murderous miscreants who frequented the East End of her Majesty's London, wiping the fetid muck from their boots when they once again reached the marble floors of society's finest homes.

Supported by primary sources and illustrated with 75 to 100 black and white photographs, this breathtaking work of cultural history dismisses the theories of previous "Ripperologists." A Robinson persuasively makes clear with his unique brilliance, The Ripper was far from a poor resident of Whitechapel . . . he was a way of life.

Kinda boring

This book is interesting but gets sort of repetitive. It also goes into such minutiae that I think it would be better to actually read on paper. Lastly I'm confused at some of the language the modern author chooses. For example, he describes one man as having "lied like a slut." That's one of many times I was wide-eyed at insulting/misogynist language in the narration. Again, it might be easier to read, but hearing that said aloud is distracting and weird.

Loved this book

Thought provoking. Thorough, and the author reading his own was absolute perfection. It's been a while since I felt a sense of loss when the story was done. Highly recommended.

Know what you're getting into

This 30-hour audio book is leading you through a new theory on who was Jack the Ripper. It negates old theories and will pick at some scabs. In all though, I loved this.

Deja Vu

I kept getting deja vu listening to this because the author was repeating himself so often.
Stating your points 3 separate times doesn't make it a stronger argument.

Difficult, Appalling, and Probably True

This is *not* an easy or pleasant listen (at least it wasn't for me) but IF you are interested in Jack the Ripper, I think Bruce Robinson has done a remarkable amount of research and has presented the most logical answer for "who did it." I think he's right and, although I expect it's not the reaction the author intended, my reaction to the book is an increased "fear of the LORD" and conviction that we cannot serve two masters. There were men who considered themselves "good," upholders of the law, and they were compromised by their need to cover up for and protect a member of their semi-secret brotherhood - and, because of it, many lives were lost and others ruined.