Trenches: The War Service of Sherlock Holmes.

A Facsimile of the Partial Original Manuscript of “His Last Bow” by Arthur Conan Doyle with Annotations and Commentary on the Story.

Edited & introduced by Robert Katz, MD, BSI and Andrew Solberg, BSI.

While the manuscript of “His Last Bow” is incomplete, a substantial portion still exists and the basis for its fragmentation may not be accidental. Besides a high-quality reproduction of the partial manuscript, the book includes a meticulous transcription and annotation. Distinguished Sherlockians also review different aspects of the manuscript, the story, and many other related issues. Why is the manuscript incomplete? Is there a Canonical connection to Sarajevo? What is the history of Tokay? What did Rathbone and Bruce contribute to the war effort? These and many other issues are analyzed and make for fascinating reading. As a bonus, the book also contains a reproduction of Conan Doyle’s handwritten manuscript of a poem about WWI along with a transcription and commentary. In addition, the original Frederic Dorr Steele illustrations for Collier’s have been scanned and are presented here as well. 288 pages, 10″ x 7″ paperback, December 2025 With the manuscript reproduction plus 48 b&w illustrations

Trenches

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Table of Contents for Trenches

General Editor’s Foreword and Preface to the Series by Andrew G. Fusco Pages Floating Upon the East Wind: Co-Editors’ Introduction by Robert Katz and Andrew Solberg Manuscript Facsimile of “His Last Bow” with Transcription and Annotations by Phillip Bergem Setting the Stage for a Bow: Talk of War, Automobiles and More by Phillip Bergem Making “His Last Bow”: Its History and Manuscript by Randall Stock Manuscript Facsimile of “Ypres September 1915” with Transcription and Annotations by Phillip Bergem Conan Doyle’s Poetic View of Ypres by Michael H. Kean European Complications of the Utmost Moment by Marina Stajić August 1914 — Mycroft Holmes and Pre-War European Diplomacy by Ross Davies Holmes and the Politicians 1912: “His Last Bow” by Hartley R. Nathan Tinged with Foresight? Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as Prophet of the First World War by Catherine Cooke Sherlock Holmes in the Trenches by Glen Miranker From Chicago to Buffalo to Germany: Altamont and Irish Secret Societies by Burt Wolder Your Old Service — Watson after “His Last Bow” by Peter Calamai Germany and Germans in the Canon by Maria Fleischhack The Sporting Spy’s Last Bow by E.J. Wagner Propaganda – The Secret War Service of Arthur Conan Doyle by Clifford S. Goldfarb “Playing the Game” and the Truth about “His Last Bow” by Michael A. Meer Aftermath: Holmes and Watson after November 11 by Nicholas Utechin What! Tokay! by Patricia Guy “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” by Rebecca Romney Holmes and Watson in the Great War: The Decorated Duo of Rathbone and Bruce by Greg Ruby “Some Distant but Glorious End”: Further Resources and Research by Tamar Zeffren Appendix: Original Illustrations for “His Last Bow” by Frederic Dorr Steele The Usual Suspects: Contributors

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Audio Interview with the editors (podcast at I Hear of Sherlock) Other BSI Manuscript Series books BSI Press / Books overview page

About the Series

The Baker Street Irregulars, the literary society focused on Sherlock Holmes, in cooperation with leading libraries and private collectors, publishes The Manuscript Series to bring to the public facsimile editions of manuscripts and other documents relating to Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with insightful commentary by talented Sherlockian and Doylean writers. Save on shipping when you get two or more books.

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