Shakespeare Books

Prof Westbrook-Shelley has prepared a critical study of Shakespeare's source material for one of his most intriguing plays: Richard III. This book details the Bard's use of popular religious plays from his youth to portray the unpopular Richard as a Vice in the tradition of Herod or Cain from the miracle play cycles. At the same time, Shakespeare is lifting passages from the Chronicles and the writings of Sir Thomas More, nearly word for word, in a subtle effort to bolster popular support for the Tudors. This book is a valuable resource both for Shakespeare scholars who wish to delve more deeply into Shakespeare's imagination and writing process and for British history enthusiasts interested in the power plays between the waning Yorks and emerging Tudors for the throne of England. The writing is engaging, the ideas are stimulating, and the extensive bibliography provides a platform for further research and discussion.

We all have things we treasure -- love letters, postcards, programs from graduations, wonderful photos of our ancestors. This terrific book shows you how to bring these out of the boxes and onto art quilts that become treasures in themselves.

Using techniques that transfer images to fabric, the authors show quilts they have made from their favorite things, and give complete instructions on how you can use these same techniques.The charming quilts include one featuring items from a naval officer's adventures around the world; one made from a beloved grandmother's hankies; one showcasing prize ribbons from dog shows.

You'll be inspired by the well-written stories about each quilt, and its meaning to the author.

All in all a wonderful book that teaches and inspires at the same time.

The quality of shakespeare cannot be underestimated. For those that tread the well worn path of Macbeth and Hamlet, the Merchant is not too far off the track as something different.

The cast do not outshine the story but still add the traditional life and warmth that everyone can enjoy.

The Arkangel production is a brilliant new collection of timeless classics. You will never be able to resist remembering those age old quotes. So shines a good deed in a weary world... enjoy

This play is very intresting! The play is funny and meaningful. It gives an insightful look on sexism and the way people react to life situations. The play pleads for peace and love.

This series (Shakespeare Handbooks) is a new one with only a handful of plays covered. My only complaint is that they don't have more of the plays done!

This is an outstanding book that gives a sense of historical perspective, but spends the vast (and I mean VAST) majority of its pages discussing "The Merchant of Venice" as a PLAY. It doesn't focus on close reading or nudging some obscure reference to a historical event that has faded from view. Instead, it brings the text to life by offering some insights into how the scene may be presented on stage. It goes scene by scene, with a thorough, but not overwhelming, commentary into how the scene plays out in the theatre.

For those who want to approach Shakespeare as a playwright rather than simply as a poet, these are invaluable resources.

This set of essays by the master Shakespeare critic A.C. Bradley contains essays on :Poetry for Poetry's Sake, The Sublime, Hegel's Theory of Tragedy, Wordsworth, Shelley's View of Poetry, The Long Poem in the Age of Wordsworth, The Letters of Keats, The Rejection of Falstaff, Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, Shakespeare the Man, Shakespeare's Theatre and Audience.
I especially enjoyed the essay on Keats where Bradley focuses on the meaning of Beauty in Keats' letters. His appreciation of the remarkable character of Keats and how this is reflected both in the Letters and the Poems is instructive. The essay on Shakespeare the Man I found a bit speculative , yet another attempt to say something about the character of the character who mastered and made so many different characters. It is interesting that Bradley believes that Shakespeare is the poet who best exemplified Keats' prescription for what a poet ideally should be, one whose negative capability means he is within and without all the characters he creates. The essay on Wordsworth focuses on his originality especially in finding in the simplicities of daily life, and in simple characters the deepest expressions of human soul.
But there is much more than I have indicated here . This is a classic set of essays by one of the English literary traditions, most important critics.

Midsummer was the first work of Shakespeare I had read and fully understood; although it is not the most complex work of the greatest playwright who ever lived, it is a terrific tale that stirs the imagination: fairies, love potions, dreams! without omitting any of the quality of Shakespeare's fluidic, poetic language. It is a beautifully creative play that is a good way to introduce and forever hook the student or reader to Shakespeare. Read it, love it, then check out Mendelsohnn's overture to Midsummer's Night Dream, music which always amazes me in its ability to evoke images from its namesake.

Wow! Anyone who thinks Shakespeare is inaccessible should settle down with Arkangel's new series of the complete plays on audio tape. The most magical of the Bard's comedies sounds as if it's happening right in your living room! Better than Seinfeld -- better than Friends -- one of the best stories ever has been reinterpreted by a new generation of brilliant young actors, and made available to all. What a great introduction to Shakespeare. I can't wait for the rest of the plays to come out!

"The Course of true love did never run smoothe." Shakespeare's tale of four Athenian lovers and a fairy named Puck is a very funny play. I loved this story, it is a good love comedy that I would recomend to anyone who is a Shakespeare fan or a loves a good book. I would have to say that this book is for teens all the way to adults. Some of the content may not be OK for children