Shakespeare

Examining the greatest writer in the English language as he lived and breathed, this is a compelling portrait of William... (more)

Examining the greatest writer in the English language as he lived and breathed, this is a compelling portrait of William Shakespeare and his world, vividly rendered by author and television presenter Michael Wood. (less)

Biographer and novelist Ackroyd brings William Shakespeare to life in the manner of a contemporary rather than a biograp... (more)

Biographer and novelist Ackroyd brings William Shakespeare to life in the manner of a contemporary rather than a biographer. His method is to position the playwright in the context of his world, exploring everything from Stratford's humble town to its fields of wildflowers; discerning influences on the plays from unexpected quarters; and entering London with the playwright as modern theatre, as we know it, is just beginning to emerge. Writing as though we are observing Shakespeare and his circle of friends, patrons, managers, and fellow actors and writers, Ackroyd is able to see Shakespeare's genius from within, so we feel that Ackroyd the writer merges with Shakespeare the writer, the poet, the man; and thus with great sympathy and clarity we experience the way in which Shakespeare worked.--From publisher description. (less)

William Shakespeare, the most celebrated poet in the English language, left behind nearly a million words of text, but h... (more)

William Shakespeare, the most celebrated poet in the English language, left behind nearly a million words of text, but his biography has long been a thicket of supposition arranged around scant facts. With his trademark wit, Bill Bryson sorts through this colorful muddle to reveal the man himself. Bryson documents the efforts of earlier scholars, and, emulating the style of his travelogues, records episodes in his own research. He celebrates Shakespeare as a writer of unimaginable talent and enormous inventiveness, a coiner of phrases ("vanish into thin air," "foregone conclusion," "one fell swoop") that even today have common currency. His Shakespeare is like no one else's--the beneficiary of Bryson's genial nature, his engaging skepticism, and an unrivaled gift for storytelling.--From publisher description. (less)

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Presenting a most civilized way to silence boors, deflect rudeness, and chide churlish lovers: Our mini book of insults ... (more)

Presenting a most civilized way to silence boors, deflect rudeness, and chide churlish lovers: Our mini book of insults culled from the dramatic works of English literature's most gifted wordsmith. Shakespeare's enduring putdowns include ""Thou art a very ragged Wart"" (Henry IV), ""Thy kiss is as comfortless as frozen water to a starved snake"" (Troilus and Cressida), and ""In civility thou seem'st so empty"" (As You Like It). Why resort to vulgarity when a high-brow literary epithet does the job so well? (less)

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The wonderful world of Shakespeare, opened up to all by two great Shakespearean actors, Dame Judy Dench and Timothy West... (more)

The wonderful world of Shakespeare, opened up to all by two great Shakespearean actors, Dame Judy Dench and Timothy West. This truly comprehensive selection includes many of the bard's most famous and familiar works, as well as some lesser-known songs and sonnets, too. An ideal introduction to Shakespeare's plays for students and anyone who has ever been curious about Shakespeare. (less)