"The London Of Jack the Rippper: Then And Now" is a photographic journey through the London of Jack the Ripper as it was when he stalked the mean streets and alleyways of the Capital. Robert Clack and Philip Hutchinson take the reader on a step-by-step tour of the crime scenes, giving a detailed history of the victims, the crimes and the police investigation. Using many previously unpublished photographs and illustrations, the authors put the reader on the very streets that Jack walked, showing the crime scences, the victims' homes, the common lodging houses and the public houses. They show readers how to retrace the steps the victims took, pointing out the changes to that particular area and when those changes occurred. Using contemporary documents and police files, the authors trace the history of all 11 Whitechapel murders from 1888 to 1891 and discuss other contemporary attacks that may well have been by the same hand. The book will not only be of interest to Ripperologists, but also to those who are interested in the history of London and the East End of London in particular.

James Berry was an ex-policeman who was Britain's hangman from 1884-92, throughout the period of the Whitechapel murders. Stewart Evans here takes the reader on a fascinating journey into the world of Victorian crime and punishment. Berry was a man of mystery. He took a genuine interest in his 'victims' and the crimes they had committed. As an amateur criminologist he built his own black museum and kept scrapbooks relating to his activities. He was also something of a showman, and not averse to publicity, whose press coverage caused the government acute embarrassment. was often too upset before and after one of his 200 executions to be able to speak. One of his most famous (non) jobs was the strange case of John Lee ('The man they could not hang'). When Berry pulled the lever on the gallows nothing happened. After three attempts, Lee was reprieved. There were also a few horrific incidents on the gallows and his job evidently had its effect on him as, in retirement, Berry became so depressed that he took steps to commit suicide.

James Berry, a pious Yorkshireman, was Britain's hangman during the latter half of Queen Victoria's reign, and throughout the period of the Whitechapel murders. A man of strange contradictions - capable of cold, callous detachment but so affected by his job that he was often unable to speak before an execution - Berry was the last hangman able to write freely about his work. Through Berry's experiences, Stewart Evans takes us on a journey into the world of Victorian crime and punishment.

Berry was an ex-policeman who took a genuine interest in his 'victims' - even creating his own 'black museum'. Aiming to be both efficient and merciful he worked to a table of drops of his own creation. Unfortunately, this did not prevent a few horrific incidents. The most notable was the execution of Robert Goodale who was decapitated by the force of the drop. In contrast, in the famous case of John Lee, Berry was unable to open the gallows trap. After three attempts - during which the gallows trap worked perfectly when Lee was removed - Lee was reprieved.

During his eight years as hangman, Berry executed over 130 men and women - and even claimed to have hanged Jack the Ripper. He enjoyed publicity and toured the country talking of his experiences and showing lantern slides of grim prison scenes and executions. Yet in later life this contradictory character suffered from depression and became almost suicidal.

"Executioner" is a biography which offers insight into the world of the public executioner. It will appeal to all those interested in crime and punishment in the Victorian era.