Shakespeare Books

Breathed there ever a man more villianous than Richard III? Iago, maybe, but they are in a class by themselves. Evil, evil men...

Richard III, as a play, has stood the test of time. It is one of Shakesapeare's best, though his characterization of Richard is subject to question since he is/was writing in the time of a Tudor monarchy, the family that assumed the throne because of Richard's "evil deeds." Shakespeare, as Sir Thomas Moore before him, may have been playing to the Tudor monarchy rather than dealing with the truth. (Remember Jack Webb's standard line in the TV series, "Dragnet?" "The facts, mamn, the facts, nothing but the facts..."

We may or may not have the facts here as they pertain to Richard III, but we have a damn good play presented in the best possible manner: the original numbered text on the left hand page, modern up-to-date language on the right hand page, making it easy for readers of all ages, from the junior high school student reading Shakespeare for the first time to an old-timer, a retired guy reading Shakespeare for the umpteenth time, to understand and appreciate the Bard and his story. And, true or not, what a story it is!!!

An A+ to Shakespeare and to Spark Notes' No Fear Shakespeare concept.

Judith Cook has distilled an enormous amount of research on Shakespeare and theatre in Elizabethan London into a clear and readable account.

Cook provides a good sketch of the known facts not only of Shakespeare's life, but of all his fellow playwrights, the University Wits, Marlowe and Jonson. The emerging new plays are covered, as well as their reception, the experience of theatre-going and day-to-day existence in bustling Renaissance London, all the while holding the linear narrative thread of Shakespeare in particular.

Cook gives just enough detail, without weighing the reader down. A great introduction to all the playwrights and the playwriting environment, and can be recommended as a valuable springboard before delving into in-depth research with other books. It was a delightful read, highly recommended for undergraduate students of English, theatre majors, and the Renaissance reader.

It's no surprise that it is so expensive to secure a copy of this book; it is a fine-tuned, in-depth look at all of the plays. It's central conceit - the self-consciousness of role-playing embedded in various parts - is a prescient examination helpful to both scholars and actors. Along with Bernard Beckerman's book on the Globe Theater, Granville-Barker's Prefaces, and Bradley's study of the central tragic figures, it was an important book during my own college years. It remains helpful as a modern study steeped in the vocabulary and context of the theater at the time. Books attentive to both the language and the theater are not as common as they should be, and this is one of the best of those that combine literary and theatrical expertise.

While writing my Master's thesis, this book kept coming up in my research. I decided to buy it because I couldn't track it down in any library... I am so happy that I did. Although I purchased this book for a very specific purpose, it has greatly expanded my conception of feminist readings of Shakespeare. Kahn does a wonderful job of performing close readings of Shakespeare's Roman works (Titus Andronicus, Rape of Lucrece, Julius Caesar, Corilianus, Cymbeline) and couples such reading with historical and feminst interpretations... all of which are valid and thorough. I am not a huge fan of most feminist readings of Shakespeare, however Kahn has a compelling theory that I found easily acceptable and actually embraced. Kahn has a keen eye for language and detail, and she also manages to communicate her complex theories into lucid writing. I highly recommend this book for all who are interested in Shakespeare's Roman works.

I bought this book mainly because my girlfriend loves it when I quote Shakespeare and I was running a bit dry on material. It has tons of quotes, even from some of his stories (read: not plays) and some of the plays you wouldn't necessarily percieve as being romantic i.e. Othello, King Henry et all.) It also has all of his sonnets. Great buy, but not for those uninterested in love (it's an inspiration thing)

I'm a high school freshman studying Romeo & Juliet and I cannot understand hardly any of it. I found this book at a Borders bookstore and I have been reading it and it is extremely helpful. There's a line-by-line translation that makes a ton more sense. Buy this if you're having trouble with R&J!

If you have ever wondered how to present one of the greatest literary minds of English Literature to children, here is your answer. Kindermann and Unzer's version of Romeo and Juliet is a wonderful teaching tool for young children grades 3-5. Kindermann, the author, has written the story in modern terms that makes it easy to understand for young readers and has narrowed the play down to 16 pages of written text in large font. This is wonderful if you would like to pass the book around and have your children or your students read the pages out loud to the class or family. Each page is accompanied by a beautiful illustration by Christa Unzer whose masterful use of watercolors brings the story to life right before your eyes. And if you look closely to the drawings, some of the actual verses written in the original text are part of the watercolors.

This book is a wonderful Shakespeare experience for children and adults, a creative way of introducing young audiences to Shakespeare, and a great collector's item for lovers of Shakespeare's works.

Shakespeare ranked in the top ten of the most influencial people of the last millenium, but I think he should have been Number One!!! These are by far my three favorite plays EVER! Anyone who hasn't read about the love of Romeo and Juliet, Helen and Lysander, and Rosalind and Orlando have never lived! Anyone who is anyone has to read these true works of genius!

The Interfact Shakespeare books are the best investment that I ever made. The accompanied books are clearly written without so much focus on footnotes. Every scene is clearly explained to the reader who might have gotten lost along the way to catch up to date. The book also features juicy tidbits of information on the sides but plenty of room for notetaking. This book is probably the best adapted for the student whether middle or high school or even adult to understand it.
The CD rom is the best part of this item. The CD rom has wonderful games, tests, and holds plenty of adventures for those students who might be bored easily. This is the best way to get them involved or interested in Romeo & Juliet.

Even if your school doesn't stock this edition, English teachers, buy it for yourselves! As an educator, I've found this edition to provide the right amount of notes, photos, and illustrations while giving just the right amount of text per page for students (or teachers) to absorb. Students, if they get to purchase the book, can write in the margins and keep a running literary journal. Any English teacher should do the same anyway in order to prep for teaching.

I haven't seen the 2005 edition, but if it's an update of this version, it's sure to be just as excellent.

I think an English teacher will be quite ready to teach this play if they also stock the following in their curriculum library: Shakespeare Alive (a great overview of Elizabethan England, with just the right amount of kid-friendly trivia and important history), the Folger Library's Shakespeare Set Free, and the NCTE's Teaching Romeo and Juliet: A Differentiated Approach.