This week, let’s discuss the newest publications from the John H Watson Society!
Our Spring 2015 volume of The Watsonian was special to us for a number of reasons. Not only is it the largest volume to date (over 200 pages of content) but it was also one of the last great works from our dear Buttons before going beyond the terrace. I will always treasure this book for its literary and emotional significance to me.
The Adventure of the Duke’s Study by Luca Sartori “Victor” is the first in The Fiction Series and has received a good deal of praise from readers. I personally enjoyed it as it was not only a well-written story, but it also taught me about art and history in the process of reading. Wonderful work, “Victor”!
Some Observations Upon the Early Writing of John H Watson, MD, 1887-1894 by James C O’Leary “Pippin” is the second work to be featured in our Monograph Series and it is one of my favorite pieces of Watsonian scholarship. Pippin put a great deal of thought and effort in his endeavor, which makes it a lovely read. I hope this work will spark further conversations on Dr Watson’s early writings and what we can learn about the dear doctor in the process.
(Please note: Although the books were mailed out in late April and many of you received your books by now, a few of you may not have gotten them in the mail yet, particularly for some of you overseas. If you do not receive your package in the course of the next week or so, please contact me and I can look into this for you.)
Hello All,
We have a talented and enthusiastic group of new editors and staff in place to handle JHWS publications going forward. It would be of immense assistance to all of them if the membership could offer their comments and insights regarding the group of publications that were recently received. This would enable the new team to prepare future issues that would be responsive to the interests of the entire group. So please start posting and offer your comments, criticisms, and suggestions. The JHWS is in place to continue providing high quality publications, but the input of the membership is both needed and appreciated. Keep the game afoot! Thanks and all best wishes.
I am keeping an alert eye on my mailbox…
I’m still reading–no time to read it all yet. I will have to catch up with the comments a bit later!
Such a delight as this latest volume of The Watsonian, along with the booklet from The Monograph Series plus an unpublished memoir from The Fiction Series dropped through my letterbox this morning.
For those of you here at the centre of the British Empire you should be getting yours soon!
I have just gotten back from a trip, during which I was able to finish the latest Watsonian. The volume is excellent. First, congratulations to Carla for her fine design and layout — crisp, clear and easy to read. I enjoyed the variety of articles, particularly Devon’s piece on Khartoum and the debate-style submissions.
I had previously read Pippin’s monograph, which is impressive. Its literary approach contrasts well with Willis Frick’s Watsonian article on Watson’s wives. Clearly, we have a highly creative membership dedicated to keeping The Watsonian thriving,which is reassuring to all of us!
The bounty was in my mailbox today! (well, on the ground inside the garden wicket, actually…)
The Watsonian is as usually thick with excellent scholarship. Can’t wait to read it all. It’s a great honour to see one’s name in print in such distinguished company.
The two small volumes are a study in elegance. Pippin’s study sounds delicious from the title only. And I am eager to read the work of my fellow USIH member Luca Sartori.
I read “The Adventure of the Duke’s Study” and it’s an excellent work. Luca has managed to cram a lot of historical informations inside the story without burdening it with too much detail that might bore the reader. Watson plays a very active role in the story, which is something we, as Watsonians, are always happy to see. Good job, Luca, you keep high the prestige of Italian scholarship and authorship!
[SPOILER ALERT]
For those of you that are curious about the two Duke’s studies mentioned in the story, the main one is still in the Duke’s palace in Urbino, where we were able to see it during our meeting there in 2011. But the JHWS members from the U.S.A. who live in the New York City area or have the chance to visit NYC can see the “lesser” Duke’s study, originally from his palace in Gubbio, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/198556