The Surgeon of Crowthorne: A Tale of Murder,Madness and the Oxford English Dictionary
7 journalers for this copy...
When a mysterious surgeon wrote to brilliant lexicographer James Murray offering help in compiling the first Oxford English Dictionary, there began one of the most bizarre and intriguing literary friendships in history. For Dr. Minor of Crowethorne, as well as being one of Murray's most valued contributors, was also a homicidal lunatic, confined to Broadmoor Asylum for murder. Constantly plagued by frightening delusions, Minor's fragile grip on sanity was only saved by his work for Murray.
I have been interested in this story ever since hearing about it in university. I might see if there is any interest in a bookring before I get to it.
I have been interested in this story ever since hearing about it in university. I might see if there is any interest in a bookring before I get to it.
Book Ring:
catsalive (NSW)
jubby (NSW)
alice2623663 (NSW)
Pixette (NSW)
Hotfrog (NSW) - note, late addition :o)
RockDg9 (QLD)
Book Ring Rules:
I'm not having any time restrictions with this one, but don't keep it too long either :oD
Journal when you receive, and when you post it on.
Enjoy, let us know what you thought of the book, and have fun.
catsalive (NSW)
jubby (NSW)
alice2623663 (NSW)
Pixette (NSW)
Hotfrog (NSW) - note, late addition :o)
RockDg9 (QLD)
Book Ring Rules:
I'm not having any time restrictions with this one, but don't keep it too long either :oD
Journal when you receive, and when you post it on.
Enjoy, let us know what you thought of the book, and have fun.
And the bookring starts.
Posted to catsalive 26-04-06
Posted to catsalive 26-04-06
This book has arrived. Thanks, RockDg9. Cool bookmark.
Very interesting. I zipped through it more like a page-turning murder mystery than the non-fiction book that it is. It's quite a fascinating story. I pay homage to Murray & Minor, to poor George Merrett, & all the people involved in bringing the OED to life.
I recently purchased a copy of the OED for myself, the 2nd edition, just because I've always wanted to own it. I've just about paid it off now, 6 months later.
It was a poignant tale. That poor man, Dr W. C. Minor.
Thanks, RockDg9. I'll send it on its travels once I have jubby's address. Posted 5/6/6.
I recently purchased a copy of the OED for myself, the 2nd edition, just because I've always wanted to own it. I've just about paid it off now, 6 months later.
It was a poignant tale. That poor man, Dr W. C. Minor.
Thanks, RockDg9. I'll send it on its travels once I have jubby's address. Posted 5/6/6.
Received in the post today. Have a couple of other bookrings ahead of it though... I htink I may have to quit my job, so that I have enough time to read!
Firstly, let me thank you all for being so patient with me.
This book and I are having troubles, and I refuse to pass it on until I have READ IT ALL!
The funny thing is, I borrowed this from the library about 4 yeard ago, and found that I could not get into it, so returned it.
I joined this bookring, thinking that I would not let this book get the better of me, and would read it.
So, here I am. Every time I pick it up and start reading, I find myself drifting off. It is not the story as such. That I find rather interesting and entertaining. Is it the dictionary entries? Well...I don't care for those much. But, I fear it is the writing style. Wincester is no Ackroyd.
But I shall win!
I am giving myself this weekend, and come Monday morning, I am posting this one off to alice2623663.
But lastly, I wanted to admit my admiration for catsalive and her hardy efforts to both read this book so quickly, and her dictionary efforts.
You are incredible.
This book and I are having troubles, and I refuse to pass it on until I have READ IT ALL!
The funny thing is, I borrowed this from the library about 4 yeard ago, and found that I could not get into it, so returned it.
I joined this bookring, thinking that I would not let this book get the better of me, and would read it.
So, here I am. Every time I pick it up and start reading, I find myself drifting off. It is not the story as such. That I find rather interesting and entertaining. Is it the dictionary entries? Well...I don't care for those much. But, I fear it is the writing style. Wincester is no Ackroyd.
But I shall win!
I am giving myself this weekend, and come Monday morning, I am posting this one off to alice2623663.
But lastly, I wanted to admit my admiration for catsalive and her hardy efforts to both read this book so quickly, and her dictionary efforts.
You are incredible.
LOL! The dictionary is 20 beautiful volumes. One day I'll buy a nice solid wood bookcase to house it & do it justice. I always wanted a copy of the OED & Gray's Anatomy, I don't know why. Now I have both beautiful books. Lovely, lovely books.
Journal Entry 9 by jubby at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, July 9, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (7/9/2006 UTC) at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Argh! The book won.
Next time...
Posted off to Alice in Wollongong.
Argh! The book won.
Next time...
Posted off to Alice in Wollongong.
Journal Entry 10 by alice2623663 from Wollongong, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, July 13, 2006
The book arrived safely this morning. Argh! Another bookring. I'll try my very hardest to get around to it soon....
Journal Entry 11 by alice2623663 from Wollongong, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, August 9, 2006
I finished the book last night. It was an interesting story - although I felt like I didn't get to know the characters very well (probably because it was an biography and not a work of fiction). It read more like a history book and the history of the dictionary nearly bored me to tears but other than that I was intrigued by the story. Thanks for the chance to read it.
I'll pm Pixette.
I'll pm Pixette.
Journal Entry 12 by alice2623663 from Wollongong, New South Wales Australia on Monday, October 16, 2006
Hi,
Just thought I'd let you know that the book is safe. I haven't sent it yet because we had an 'incident' at our house with a sexual predator about four weeks ago and I haven't been able to go back there yet....I'm too frightened. I'll hopefully be sending someone around to pick up some stuff for me in the next week so I'll make sure that the book is on the list. Sorry about this!!!
Just thought I'd let you know that the book is safe. I haven't sent it yet because we had an 'incident' at our house with a sexual predator about four weeks ago and I haven't been able to go back there yet....I'm too frightened. I'll hopefully be sending someone around to pick up some stuff for me in the next week so I'll make sure that the book is on the list. Sorry about this!!!
Journal Entry 13 by alice2623663 from Wollongong, New South Wales Australia on Monday, November 6, 2006
The book was finally sent off today. Sorry for the delay, I hope that you enjoy it.
This little surprise was in my postbox today. I never record the rings I've signed up for so it's always a fun little surprise.
I have a couple of others to finish first but should be able to get to it soonish.
I have a couple of others to finish first but should be able to get to it soonish.
I loved it. What an interesting story.
History is full of such adventures that if in a novel wouldn't be credible.
A quick page-turner. I'm so glad I know something of the history of the OED now.
Will send off to the next reader when I have an address. Thanks so much.
History is full of such adventures that if in a novel wouldn't be credible.
A quick page-turner. I'm so glad I know something of the history of the OED now.
Will send off to the next reader when I have an address. Thanks so much.
Journal Entry 16 by 
Pixette
at Postal Release in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia on Friday, January 12, 2007
Pixette at Postal Release in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia on Friday, January 12, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (1/14/2007 UTC) at Postal Release in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to Hotfrog
Posted to Hotfrog
I really enjoyed it and couldn't help telling the story to friends while I was reading it. I love being able to put life into something mundane like the OED - I will never look at it in the same way again.
Arrived back home today - thanks to everyone who participated (and whoever covered it too!)
I really loved reading about this story. The author writes coherently and with great precision ... he also uses some nice big words! I thought the writing style and the research was brilliant - the story was certainly done justice.
Book is travelling with me to the World bookcrossing convention in Christchurch. May be released in Christchurch or elsewhere on the south island of New Zealand.
Journal Entry 21 by erinsgreenshore from Christchurch, Canterbury New Zealand on Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Hi, I picked this book up from the "Books for Release" table at the World Bookcrossing Convention held in Christchurch at the weekend. I am quite new to bookcrossing and so haven't got lots of books of my own to release. Picked up lots of books over the weekend - some that I want to keep on my bookshelf to read (when I get the time) and some to release into the wild!!!
