William King Books

This is the the one and only living memoir of William The Conqueror. Although laden with some historical inaccuracies of pre-Norman England, this chronicle is perhaps the only memoir of William I during his lifetime. It was written by William I's own chaplain, William Of Poitiers(WP) who knew him personally. WP was a knight before becoming a priest in his king's court. His descriptions of the Battle of Hastings is perhaps the most valuable historical information about battle tactics in the eleventh century. Unfortunately WP was unable to finish his chronicle for unknown reasons. Speculations indicated that he fell out of favor in William I's court. This text in its original Medieval Latin was unfortunately preserved in only one manuscript. This original manuscript is now lost, probably disintegrated by a fire. Fortunately it was edited once by Duchesne in the 17th century. The edited text is used as a basis for the present edition we have today.

I can't disagree more with the Washington Post review. I started reading it because I had nothing else better to do and then suddenly I was transported into Stalinist era of the 1930s. I feel I need to find out what I can about this author who has achieved something close to witchcraft by re-creating the psychological (un)reality of that era. I almost laughed when I read the reviewer's complaints about how the details don't add to the intrigue/suspense. There is NO suspense; only the utter illogic of possible imminent violent end to one's life for no reason which IS the definition of the Stalinist era. How this guy called Jerome Charyn about whom I know nothing accomplish this in a rather slim book much better than all the volumes of Solzhenitsyn who was actually there, I have no idea.
Fatma Isikdag

This review is not of Hamlet itself, but rather on this edition of Hamlet (ISBN: 9781411400344), which was edited by Jeff Dolven and David Scott Kastan. I read a lot of heavily annotated books, and I have to say this is one of the best book designs I've ever encountered. The various references materials (footnotes and definitions for archaic words) appear in a manner that makes the text very easy to follow.

The scholarship is also top-notch. The annotations give you enough to make things clear without insulting your intelligence, or without overburdening you with unnecessary detail. The essays are also interesting and informative.

I've been avoiding Shakespeare ever since high school, which was many years ago. Now that I'm reading him again, I'm glad I'm in such good hands. It is making the experience a joy, rather than a chore.

My compliments to the editors and the book designer. They have done a superior job of making this difficult text accessible to the modern reader. I wish my editions of Dante and Milton had similar layouts. Highly recommended.

My daughter gave me the One Page Book of "Hamlet" for Christmas since I teach high school English. I had it mounted on foamboard, framed, and have it hanging in my classroom. My students are so intrigued by it and will stand in front of it reading even though they sometimes complain of having to read Shakespeare from a "book." The personnel at the store that did the framing for me were also impressed with it and wanted to know where they could buy one. I will definitely buy more of these wonderful one-page books!

This is the most readable version of Shakespeare I have encountered, doing full justice to the orignal text with the original alongside

A great introduction to the topic, yet very detailed and solidly founded in emperical research. The potential to be a classic. Ever been at a loss for words as to why men commit sexual crimes when giving therapy to victims of sexual assault? A must read for those working with offenders and victims of sexual assault alike.

Although this book seems relatively obscure, I would place it among my favorites. It's the entertaining tale of a professional safe-cracker that was active from 1910 to 1960, told in his own words to a college professor who published his story in book form.

I can't say how relative this book is to criminal justice or methods used today, given that his story is nearing a century old and technology has changed immensely since his retirement. However, I read this book for pleasure, and it was indeed that! Some of his exploits are downright amusing, while others are a very sincere look into a lifestyle and underworld that us normal folk will probably never get a taste of. Harry King's story is both believable due to his uncensored honesty and unbelievable due to the outrageous crimes he pulled off!

The book's a short and easy read, only 150 pages, and I picked it up for only a dollar. So if you have any interest at all in a subject like stealing, please, pick up this book and hear the worthy life of Harry King!

This is really two very different novelettes followed by a lengthy epilogue. I had read the book years ago, and picked up the audiobook after seeing it on Roger Ebert's list of books to read. It was Ebert's favorite audiobook. I listened to it with my 15 year-old son, and it became the favorite of both of us. It's really the first segment (9 of 20 CDs) which blew me away. Read by William Hurt, this story of an 11 year-old in 1961 was amazing. The boy lives with his mother, who is going through hard times, when a mysterious stranger moves into the apartment building and befriends the boy. The characters and times come alive in this story with so much heart and a little supernatural thrown in. Listen to this first story and stop if you want. It stands on its own. Or listen on, and visit a floor of college guys in 1966 who are addicted to cards (Hearts), and are on the verge of flunking out and going off to Vietnam. Read by Stephen King, this is a candid, uncensored (R-rated) look at the 60s and college life. I liked this, as it reminded me of college life in the early 70s. The final segment is a post-Vietnam piece, following up on many of the characters from the first two stories. I hadn't liked this when I read it, but with William Hurt reading and period music throughout (as there was the whole novel), I did like it on audio. In short, listen to this for the first story, and you can't go wrong, whether you listen to the rest of not. The readers were both great.

With the original text on the left page, the easy to understand modern text on the right-hand page, this is a can't miss edition. The best of both worlds, his and ours, and Henry IV never fails to deliver.

We all need our Hals and Hotspurs. And, yes, we need our Falstaffs as well.

An exceptional presentation of an exceptional work.

Surely this is not a review of the Shakespeare's play. I am not in a position to say anything about Shakespeare except it's something like an addiction. After you read a few of his plays in the original - everything else looks pale, like a comics book more or less.

This is about Folger Shakespeare Library. I read Hamlet, Tempest and Henry IV Part I and Part II in their editions. They are amazingly good. I can't find enough words. Five stars is not enough for them.

I read "The Merchant of Venice" in "The Annotated Shakespeare" - you can't even compare it with the Folger Library editions, which adds so much value for the contemporary reader both with their line by line commentary and with their articles before and after the play.

Simply the best.