The Sign of Four
Ratings190
Average rating3.6
15
Ratings190
Average rating3.6
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ...earth. r' = radius of moon, or other body. P = moon's horizontal parallax = earth's angular semidiameter as seen from the moon. f = moon's angular semidiameter. Now = P (in circular measure), r'-r = r (in circular measure);.'. r: r':: P: P', or (radius of earth): (radios of moon):: (moon's parallax): (moon's semidiameter). Examples. 1. Taking the moon's horizontal parallax as 57', and its angular diameter as 32', find its radius in miles, assuming the earth's radius to be 4000 miles. Here moon's semidiameter = 16';.-. 4000::: 57': 16';.-. r = 400 16 = 1123 miles. 2. The sun's horizontal parallax being 8"8, and his angular diameter 32V find his diameter in miles. ' Am. 872,727 miles. 3. The synodic period of Venus being 584 days, find the angle gained in each minute of time on the earth round the sun as centre. Am. l"-54 per minute. 4. Find the angular velocity with which Venus crosses the sun's disc, assuming the distances of Venus and the earth from the sun are as 7 to 10, as given by Bode's Law. Since (fig. 50) S V: VA:: 7: 3. But Srhas a relative angular velocity round the sun of l"-54 per minute (see Example 3); therefore, the relative angular velocity of A V round A is greater than this in the ratio of 7: 3, which gives an approximate result of 3"-6 per minute, the true rate being about 4" per minute. Annual ParaUax. 95. We have already seen that no displacement of the observer due to a change of position on the earth's surface could apparently affect the direction of a fixed star. However, as the earth in its annual motion describes an orbit of about 92 million miles radius round the sun, the different positions in space from which an observer views the fixed stars from time to time throughout the year must be separated ...
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This second book in the Sherlock Holmes collection is incredibly similar in structure, writing style and execution to a study in scarlett. Watson's unfaltering admiration and praise for Sherlock Holmes grew more tiresome to read in this book as it was very repetitive and hyperbolic and after hearing him sing his praises in the first book it was a sentiment as a reader that we were already well aware of. Overall however Sherlock Holmes is a guilty pleasure read and I love hearing Stephen Fry narrate the story. Sherlock Holmes stories are fantastic and although rather far fetched they are always a pleasure escapism read. This book while similar to the first was equally as much fun to read.
I've read most of Holmes' short stories, but this is only my second novel. Though it's always good to be back with my old friends, I'll admit this wasn't one of my favorites.
The story itself is a rather quick burn. Once the perp/s is/are caught, we get a 25-page backstory of barely relevant names and locations. Afterward, we're given just a few pages devoted to wrapping up the case. Most Holmes stories do a better job in the denouement.
Despite the slow ending, I savored the budding friendship between Holmes and Watson. I also enjoyed meeting *RECURRING CHARACTER* and learning more about their backstory.
There is a rare moment in SotF where Holmes' theory backfires and the characters have to laugh off their time wasted. This felt like a heartwarming touch I haven't seen in too many cases. I also appreciated the depictions of Holmes as a stimulation junkie, going so far as to engage in *DANGEROUS ACTIVITY* when bored and staying up for days when on the scent.
As others have commented, the racism and sexism in this story haven't aged well. Let the reader beware.
Recommended for the world-building, but it's not the most thrilling, clever, or well-developed Holmes case I've read. Like Holmes, I found myself craving the excitement of the unfolding story and struggling to pick the book back up when it lapsed.
Plenty of racism, and honestly the plot is pretty stupid. Not Sherlock's best outing. But five hearts for the story of Watson getting all smitten and acting dumb around his wife-to-be.
ETA: I'm adding back one more star for the fabulous quote: “‘My mind,” he said, “rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation.”
Featured Series
9 primary books10 released booksSherlock Holmes is a 40-book series with 9 primary works first released in 18 with contributions by Arthur Conan Doyle, Alejandro Pareja Rodríguez, and 13 others.
