INTRODUCTION“Elementary, my dear Watson. ”
Among all the things Sherlock Holmes said, or supposedly said, this phrase is the best-known. Why? Perhaps because, deep down, we all have a yearning for things to be made elementary – for a higher hand to explain this complicated life and open our eyes.
Well, prepare to be demystified.
Instead of simply applying Holmes’ methods to the solving of crimes, this book will show you how his skills can be applied to everyday life.
For example, on the one hand, The Hound of the Baskervilles is a tale about a demonic dog. On the other, it’s about how fear is used to manipulate us. That advert on your feed that just prompted you to buy hair insurance was a giant luminous pooch.
You will, of course, want to acquire the skills of Holmes. He seems omniscient. In fact, he is not and would hate us for describing him so. Holmes hated knowledge as an object in itself. He would be furious if you explained to him how they get the stripes in toothpaste, because the (intriguing) knowledge would clog up his mental database with toothpaste when it could be pondering crime.
Instead of being dazzled by Sherlock’s genius, as others are, we have taken a good look at the limited range of skills he considered important, sorted them into helpful areas, and deduced some wisdom that can be applied to your life.
For example, Holmes is a master of disguise. But this book won’t tell you how to successfully portray a drunken groom or an old Italian priest. It will, however, look at how disguise is used in everyday life, online and in the media, to confuse and deceive you.
Elementary? No. But understandable, yes.
Holmes once said, “Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself.” The fact that you have recognized Holmes as your potential guru is proof alone that you already have that spark.
Holmes also said, “I have a curious constitution. I never remember feeling tired by work, though idleness exhausts me completely.”
Be like Holmes. Put a little work into understanding him, and free yourself from life’s doldrums.
Holmes also said, “Cut out the poetry, Watson.” So we will cut out the high-minded and hopeful claims and get down to our investigation.
THE GAME, YOU WILL BE PLEASED TO HEAR, IS AFOOT.
Copyright © 2021 by Eaglemoss Ltd. Hero Collector Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
