Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companions – serie

Providing an overview of all aspects of the life and times of the world-famous detective, Riley and McAllister offer interesting and entertaining information about the fictional sleuth. Along with the trivia and information, the authors insert historical background on Victorian England, a short biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and brief synopses of the Holmes stories. Additional chapters cover explanations of rank in the British nobility, drugs used in the era, and the wars mentioned in the stories. Several chapters make forays into understanding the psychology of Holmes, his personality, and his pleasures. One entire chapter reviews the various clubs dedicated to him. A crossword puzzle, a Sherlock Holmes Mystery Map of London, and around 200 black-and-white illustrations, including some from the stories and some of Victorian London, add to the fun.

This volume takes readers into the wonderful world of the Bard. For scholars, theatre lovers, students - everyone - this book wraps nearly 400 years of "Bardology" into a concise package. The authors examine the whole dramatic canon, play by play, including works of questionable authorship. The long poems and sonnets are also covered. The book includes inside stories on theatre and film productions, "alternate" interpretations of the plays, Shakespeare's status around the world, the clubs and societies, the mysterious life, even the question that has plagued critics for 100 years: whether Shakespeare wrote the works attributed to him.

This "Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion" to the world's most famous vampire looks at all aspects of the Dracula phenomenon in often unexpected ways - in true Bedside tradition, including entries on the psychological and sociological implications of the book and the stage plays; the movies; television versions; actors, and, of course, the historical Dracula, Vlad the Impaler.Published in 1897, Bram Stoker's "Dracula" was the last of the nineteenth century's three major horror stories. It followed Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" and Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", but Stoker's novel had the greater impact on our culture and our nightmares. Count Dracula has been called the king of the vampires, but, in truth, he is the king of all the monsters, and his influence can be seen everywhere today: in everything from the number-obsessed Count on Sesame Street to the vast fandom for Anne Rice's vampire chronicles.He is arguably the most recognized of characters: certainly in his Lugosi incarnation.With Stoker's novel serving as the backbone, this "Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion" to the world's most famous vampire will look at all aspects of the Dracula phenomenon in often unexpected ways - in the Bedside tradition: the book, its author, its psychological and sociological implications, the stage plays, the movies, television versions, the actors, and, of course, the historical Dracula, Vlad the Impaler. More than 150 pictures already have been collected for this companion by author and journalist Mark Dawidziak, who traces his fascination with the Count back to a viewing at age seven of Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, featuring Bela Lugosi's inspired revival of his Dracula."The Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companions" are concise, witty, and often unexpected takes on the great authors and other figures who are seemingly all around us, like the air we breathe. Perfect for reading or browsing, for the general reader, for the beginning as well as the advanced student, the "Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companions" include plot summaries (no giveaways for the mystery writers!), biographical information, puzzles, posters, film stills, maps, Web sites, international clubs and societies, and more. Stylish, lavishly illustrated, and imaginatively structured, the "Bedside Companions" currently include volumes on Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and Shakespeare.

Charles Dickens belongs to an exclusive literary club: he was immensely popular when he was alive, and his work has never fallen out of fashion. His books have been in print for over 140 years, and are widely read and admired every day, the world over. His larger than life style and over-the-top characters have inspired countless authors; his work has been adapted into plays, film and television - there are over 25 versions of "A Christmas Carol" alone!A vital part of English literature's history, Charles Dickens is a natural choice for Continuum's Bedside treatment, and Brian Murray, an expert in Dickens and 19th- and 20th-century British literature, is the perfect tour guide into the wonderful world of all things Dickensian. Featuring countless fun facts and 175 illustrations - including photos, stills, and cartoons - this is the perfect gift for the literature lover in your life.