Teller of Tales The Life of Arthur C..., Daniel Stashower
Teller of Tales The Life of Arthur C..., Daniel Stashower
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Teller of Tales: The Life of Arthur Conan Doyle

Author: Daniel Stashower

Narrator: Richard Matthews

Unabridged: 15 hr 24 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/10/2001

Synopsis

This compelling biography examines the extraordinary life and strange contrasts of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the struggling provincial doctor who became the most popular storyteller of his age when he created Sherlock Holmes. From his youthful exploits aboard a whaling ship, to his often stormy friendships with such figures as Harry Houdini and George Bernard Shaw, Conan Doyle lived a life as gripping as any of his adventures. Exhaustively researched and elegantly written, Teller of Tales sets aside many myths and misconceptions to present a vivid portrait of the man behind the legend of Baker Street, with a particular emphasis on the Psychic Crusade that dominated his final years—the work that Conan Doyle himself felt to be "the most important thing in the world."

"[An] excellent biography of the man who created Sherlock Holmes—and who would like to have been remembered for a great deal more."—The New York Times Book Review

About The Author

A journalist whose articles have appeared in numerous national publications, including the New York Times and Smithsonian magazine, Daniel Stashower is also the author of five mystery novels and Teller of Tales, the Edgar Award–winning biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Stashower lives with his wife and son in Bethesda, Maryland.Richard Matthews is a performer who has narrated many audiobooks, including A Short History of Nearly Everything, 1984, and The Count of Monte Cristo.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Heather on July 21, 2012

I found this a fascinating book of a fascinating man. I was amazed at the number and variety of things Doyle had a hand in- studied and practiced medicine, went on a whaling expedition, helped popularize skiing, championed justice for those the law falsely condemned, ran for politics (even sharing t......more

Goodreads review by Amy H. on December 23, 2011

This was exactly what I was looking for, a comprehensive biography of Arthur Conan Doyle that put his writings in a larger personal context. Stashower's style is accessible and straightforward (though better documentation would've been preferable), and I appreciated the numerous quotes that allowed......more

Goodreads review by John on March 20, 2009

I can't really claim to have "read" this entire book, but I did read about 2/3 of it and I skimmed the other 1/3. It's a good example of why I tend not to read biographies of authors I like, simply because so many of them turn out to be nuts/jerks/unlikeable/etc. Conan Doyle was definitely a remarka......more

Goodreads review by Tim on August 10, 2024

An excellent and superbly researched biography of the creator of Sherlock Holmes and Professor Challenger. The author traces Doyle's early life (including a few adventures such as serving on a whaling ship) and his gradually shift from doctor to full-time writer. There are discussions of authors who......more

Goodreads review by Eugene on July 12, 2023

I don't often read biographies, on the basis that often it is best not to 'meet' your heroes. Particularly author heroes, or authors of fictional heroes, where knowledge of the human reality behind the pen can temper subsequent enjoyment of the fiction. However, I have to say that I enjoyed this bio......more

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