United Kingdom Books

An informative and enjoyable guide to Britains popular comedy series that is full of everything you wanted to know about the carry on films and probably more. Intelligent and witty, this offers a critical guide to all 31 carry on films which comes complete with facts behind the scenes of the film, the best scenes in that particular film, best actor/actress and shared memories from the cast. Lovley photographs throughout from stills of the film as well as cast and publicity shots. As well as an informative guide to the films it also offers a faultless guide of the t.v series that began in the late sixties and every stage production of the carry on phenemonan. A must have for any serious Carry On fan. Very enjoyable. Recommended!

An informative and enjoyable guide to Britains popular comedy series that is full of everything you wanted to know about the carry on films and probably more. Intelligent and witty, this offers a critical guide to all 31 carry on films which comes complete with facts behind the scenes of the film, the best scenes in that particular film, best actor/actress and shared memories from the cast. Lovley photographs throughout from stills of the film as well as cast and publicity shots. As well as an informative guide to the films it also offers a faultless guide of the t.v series that began in the late sixties and every stage production of the carry on phenemonan. A must have for any serious Carry On fan. Very enjoyable. Recommended!

This great carry on companion is a great addition to any fans collection. It features all 31 of the carry on films and also biographys of the cast and crew. It's such a great price too, one that any fan can afford. Also there is a behind the scenes section where you find out information on the stars lives outside of the carry on circle. This is a must for any carry on fan and i recommend you buy it today.

An informative and enjoyable guide to Britains popular comedy series that is full of everything you wanted to know about the carry on films and probably more. Intelligent and witty, this offers a critical guide to all 31 carry on films which comes complete with facts behind the scenes of the film, the best scenes in that particular film, best actor/actress and shared memories from the cast. Lovley photographs throughout from stills of the film as well as cast and publicity shots. As well as an informative guide to the films it also offers a faultless guide of the t.v series that began in the late sixties and every stage production of the carry on phenemonan. A must have for any serious Carry On fan. Very enjoyable. Recommended!

A great source of information and wonderfully presented!

Loved the thorough treatment Mr. Lavin gives the Celts in "The Celtic World." If anyone enjoyed Thomas Cahill's "How the Irish Saved Civilization," they will enjoy this volume as well.

Patrick Lavin's 'The Celtic World' is a must reading for all aficionados of Celtic heritage. His obvious lengthly research of this ancient and famous culture comes to life through his entertaining literary writing style and his intense interest in his subject matter. Drawing mainly on classical sources, and occasionally on archaeology and Celtic traditions, Lavin outlines a history of Celtic people from their emergence as a distinct culture to their literary renaissance in nineteenth century Ireland.

This is a great, easy to read book with a depth of information on Irish history. I would recommend it to anyone traveling to Ireland as a handbook which will enrich their experience.

A mini, armchair vacation by Thomas Kinkade, the painter and sketch artist,and his brother Patrick, the writer and professor, recounting the travels with their father through the England, Ireland, France, Belgium, and Germany. This literary trip traces many of the sites their father saw during his World War II tour of duty. Each chapter is short and perfect for a brief, relaxing, and often humerous escape to another part of the world. This is one of those rare books that one will want to keep in his library for future re-readings.

This book is nicely written and makes you feel as though you are along as a silent partner on the journey. The pencil sketches and the oil paintings within are such an added bonus! The comradeship between the brothers and the father is simply to be envied....and the new abbreviations for the foibles of the father are hilarious--we all know them! It makes you want to grab your bags and book an adventure of your own (or at least go on their next one!)

Ignoring the typo's and the reminders of dad's knee replacements, this is a fun way to explore some of Europe and learn about WWII from an aging veteran as he passes his legacy on to his talented, albeit delightfully juvenile, sons. One can relate to many of the author's memories of his youthful pranks and escapades, appreciate the beautiful sketches and oil paintings included by his famous brother, Thomas Kinkade, and appreciate and admire his father's service to his country. The misadventures of these 3 on their trek through Europe had me laughing out loud while also encouraging me to "go off the beaten path" that tourists normally take, appreciate the stories of the locals, and experience what's down the alley and over the wall.

I read MANY books in a year and so many of those miss the mark of giving me exactly what I want from a story. This book simply and sweetly went straight to my heart! It was a pure joy to read and was made so much better in that it was REAL! I not only envy the Kinkades for the depth of talent that runs in that family (Patrick is an exceptional writer!) but their closeness and love as a family is very inspiring. Everyone should read this book!

This book was so interesting! Enough has certainly been written about Queen Victoria that you'd think yet another biograpy of her and her family is not what the world needs: but this book is very much true to its title in concentrating on Victoria's childhood, that of her children, and that of her grand-children. People say that Childhood was invented in the Victorian period, and it is fascinating to see how an ultra-priveledged upbringing changed in the 100 years that this book covers. Even the changes that took place while Victoria's children were growing up is fascinating: the eldest daughter was married to a German prince at age 15, while her youngest daughter didn't marry until she was in her late 20's!

I definately recomend this book to anyone who is interested in british royal history, or the history of childhood. Since Victoria's children married all over Europe, anyone who is interested in European history would also find this book well worth a read. Since it is not too long and not too dry, it would also be a good book for a teenager or young person who is ready for adult non-fiction, but wants something that they can relate to.

I found this book an enthralling read from start to finish. It transported me through time to the Victorian and Edwardian eras - a fascinating study of the lives of the matriarchal Queen Victoria, her children and grandchildren.
John Van der Kiste paints a vivid picture of the lifestyle of the aristocracy. I couldn't help comparing their lives to the poverty-stricken living in squalor, but that is for a different book.

The book begins with the story of Queen Victoria's own childhood which it goes into in some detail. It shows how she developed from a shy and insular young girl to a matriarch of the first order. We are then taken through the early married life of the Queen and the Prince Consort and the birth of each of their nine children.

There is a lot of fascinating detail in this book about the family life of the Queen. There are many anecdotes about the children, and although contact between parent and child was much less than we would have in a modern day family, it is plain that Victoria and Albert were loving and devoted parents who took a keen interest in the development of their children.

As time progresses we are introduced to the Queen's grandchildren and great grandchildren. It is interesting to read of the contrast in the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra as parents, as unlike Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as you could wish. They were much more lively and fun loving and this really comes across as you read further.
There are some wonderful anecdotes about King Edward and his grandchildren. His geniality sparkles from the page.

There seems to have been an about turn with George V who was a much more distant parent. It was interesting to read about all his children, as one usually hears most about the two brothers who later became King.

If you like English or European history you will find this book fascinating. It gives a flavour of the time and is eminently readable without being too heavy, even when going into politics, and without being frothy.
It is fascinating to learn of the inter-personal relationships within this massive family descending from one remarkable lady.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and felt that the individuals almost leapt from the page. I understood far more about them and their role in England's future having read it.

To make a history book riveting takes a particular talent and this author seems to have this in abundance. John Van der Kiste has a talent for getting right into a subject so that you can really imagine that you are there as an observer.

I highly recommend this book.

I found this book an enthralling read from start to finish. It transported me through time to the Victorian and Edwardian eras - a fascinating study of the lives of the matriarchal Queen Victoria, her children and grandchildren.
John Van der Kiste paints a vivid picture of the lifestyle of the aristocracy. I couldn't help comparing their lives to the poverty-stricken living in squalor, but that is for a different book.

The book begins with the story of Queen Victoria's own childhood which it goes into in some detail. It shows how she developed from a shy and insular young girl to a matriarch of the first order. We are then taken through the early married life of the Queen and the Prince Consort and the birth of each of their nine children.

There is a lot of fascinating detail in this book about the family life of the Queen. There are many anecdotes about the children, and although contact between parent and child was much less than we would have in a modern day family, it is plain that Victoria and Albert were loving and devoted parents who took a keen interest in the development of their children.

As time progresses we are introduced to the Queen's grandchildren and great grandchildren. It is interesting to read of the contrast in the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra as parents, as unlike Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as you could wish. They were much more lively and fun loving and this really comes across as you read further.
There are some wonderful anecdotes about King Edward and his grandchildren. His geniality sparkles from the page.

There seems to have been an about turn with George V who was a much more distant parent. It was interesting to read about all his children, as one usually hears most about the two brothers who later became King.

If you like English or European history you will find this book fascinating. It gives a flavour of the time and is eminently readable without being too heavy, even when going into politics, and without being frothy.
It is fascinating to learn of the inter-personal relationships within this massive family descending from one remarkable lady.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and felt that the individuals almost leapt from the page. I understood far more about them and their role in England's future having read it.

To make a history book riveting takes a particular talent and this author seems to have this in abundance. John Van der Kiste has a talent for getting right into a subject so that you can really imagine that you are there as an observer.

I highly recommend this book.

Childhood at Court is an entertaining look at the lives of royal children at the British Court from 1819 to 1914, roughly the lifespan of Queen Victoria and her son Edward VII. There have been innumerable biographies of Queen Victoria and her children, but none that have focussed only on their childhoods. This book therefore fills a gap, and does so with an interesting, fresh style which makes use of plenty of anecdotes, some well known, others more obscure. I was interested to come across some of these stories, because I have read many histories and biographies of the period, and many of Van der Kiste's anecdotes were brand new. Both Queen Victoria and her son Edward VII had childhoods best described as dysfunctional, but its interesting to see how the future king seems to have learned from his parents' mistakes and given his own children a happier upbringing. Queen Victoria also seems to have mellowed as she grew older, and its nice to read about the antics her younger grandchildren and great-grandchildren were allowed to get away with, like slapping the Queen's hand and saying "Naughty Grandmamma!!"

This is a nice addition to anyone's library of books about royals or books about children.

I took a course with Professor Hexham at the University of Calgary, he is a very likeable and interesting fellow. This book is one of my favorites and offers much more than just your average travelling books.

The American Library Journal's review ended with the words "Recommended for all Public Libraries."

Here is what the prestigious American Library Journal (Vol. 126, No. 8, p. 117, 1 May 2001)said:

"... These guides do not lead tourists to the most popular bars or shopping districts but instead to the various Christian heritage sites in each country. Hexham's ... vast knowledge of history and religion makes these well-researched books a treasure trove of historical information. Each guide follows the same layout: Hexham begins with an overview of the history of each country from prehistoric times to the present. He then includes a chapter on literature, art, and architecture and lists what he considers the top ten Christian heritage sites in each country. Each entry thereafter is in alphabetical order by place name and includes some background information, specific sites to visit, and biographies of significant people associated with the site...

I found the Christian Traveler's Guide series fascinating. A brilliant idea of the author to write the books. Very informative and great history lessons.

Excellent Books

I have read about 30% of this book and find the book to be readable and informative. I have little previous knowledge of the history of the Clan Donald, so the multitude of historical events and relationships makes the reading of this book a bit intense and slow going---even with my graduate level of education. I find the book generally understandable. I have tried previusly to read a much smaller book on Clan Donald and frankly found it impossible to understand the historical events and relations. I am pleased with my purchase. It is a beautifully bound, comprehensive history of Clan Donald. Enjoy!

TERRY

Clan Donald by Donald J. Macdonald of Castleton is a must have for any member of Clan Donald who wants to know about his or her clan history. This should be your number one resource. What is Clan Donald is explained in amazing detail here in 467 pages.

This book is broken down into chapters on all of the Kings and Lords of the Isles from Somerled down through Lord John, Earl of Ross with a subsequent chapter on the final downfall of the Lordship as John son and Grandson and a few other notables of the clan try to reclaim it. Then there are chapters of each of the major branches of Clan Donald including; the MacAlisters of Loop, Alexanders of Menstrie, Maciains of Ardnamurchan, Macdonalds of Glencoe, Macdonalds of Dunnyveg and the Glens, Macdonnell of Antrim, Macdonalds of Clanranald, Macdonalds of Glengarry, Macdonalds of Keppoch and the Macdonalds of Sleat. In each of these chapters is explained the beginnings of the clan as it broke away from the main Lordship line and its history up until it either ended or to Culloden and the dispersal of the clan system. Each chapter tells the tale of each of the Chiefs of the Clan and some of the more famous members who stood out in history and even founded further Cadet branches of the Clan. The history and stories are amazing. Each carefully told to show the individual clan but also how each was interwoven with the Lordship and how all these Clans and their Cadets were still part of the greater Clan Donald.

The final two chapters are on the Chiefship and the story behind the current High Chief of Clan Donald and true heir to the Lordship of the Isles, plus the story of the Church and how it grew and supported the Lordship and Clan Donald through its rich history.

The book is also sprinkled with nice Black and White photos of Castles or landmarks important to the history of Clan Donald, easy family trees to help follow the Chiefs of the different clans and finally beautiful color plates showing the extent of the lands of the Lordship, a representative of the Lords of the Isles and where each of the major Clans broke off and finally color plates of each of the Chiefs and High Chief of Clan Donald today.

My Grandmother was a McDonald and she was proud of her history. This book captures it all and then some. I had a hard time putting it down and continue to return to it for research and for entertainment in stories. The history is so varied and intense. I recommend this book to all my family members and anyone else with an interest in Clan Donald.

A book this thorough and complete is a gem and Clan Donald should be the number one source for each proud member of Clan Donald. This book is worth every dollar paid and more. A true treasure of family and Scottish history.

I have read seven other histories of Clan Donald, The Lords of the Isles, and Somerled. Each time I finish I have felt driven to reread Donald J. Macdonald's history in order to find my way back to the original traditions that have been handed down for centuries. Donald J. Macdonald condensed the 3 volume work of the two Rev. Macdonalds in the late 18oo's. They were compiled from the Red Book & Black Book of Clanranald and other 17th century writings. The 17th century work was taken from 13th century writings recently made available in English through University College, Cork Ireland. Donald J. Macdonald's work is the most valuable history of Clan Donald available. Hard to find, but worth it.

The first book in your Donald/Macdonald library should be this comprehensive history of Clan Donald. Donald J. Macdonald's effort and research has brought under one cover the beginning, glorious tragic history of one of Scotland's great family names.

I have been buying these since 1984 when they were published by Seaby. No collector of British coins should be without this book. It will open the eyes of the person just starting his collection and will be a best friend to the more advanced collector.

It covers all British coins from the ancient Celts, to the Romans, the Middle Ages, and modern times.

Superb coin book, Best of the best British numismatics catalogues printed now days, is complete, up-to-date information and values from Spink's own worldwide auctions, excellent ilustrations, and beautifully printed with the highest quality and care.
I also recommended Michael Marsh The gold sovereign, and many other of his writings on Gold Sovereigns and Half Sovereigns.
The gold sovereign
The Sovereign - the World's Most Famous Coin: A History and Price Guide

The Spink catalog is published yearly, and is the standard catalog for the coins of England. The prices listed for common coins reflect average prices that a dealer will charge for a coin, but not what they will pay for a coin. The prices shown for rarer coins usually reflect the most recent auction prices for coins, and are a fairly reliable.

One must keep in mind that most common coins appreciate in value a little each year, a few depreciate, and the rarer coins may appreciate in value quite a bit from the time each yearly catalog was written.

I have found that the most useful value for this catalog is its numbering system for English coins, as the Spink catalog numbers are the most widely used and recognized numbers for identifying English coin, both by dealers and collectors.

Marshall Faintich
Author of "Astronomical Symbols on Ancient and Medieval Coins"

I have several editions of this book. You can never have too many. Each one comes with a different mix. And the newer editions of course will have the newer coins. This is not a substitute for the Standard Catalog of World coins but is better focused on England and a lot easer to carry.

The book also teaches us a little bit of symbolism and history.

Keep in mind that this is still just a guide. Other factors determine the value of the coin to you and others.

This is a great review of Sayers work with Lord Peter. It joins the history of the period with Sayers own history in a quick reading manner. I recommend it for any Sayers fan.

If you're a fan of Dorothy L. Sayers' character, Lord Peter Wimsey, you will likely find this book interesting and enjoyable. The authors, both professors, look at the Wimsey series in light of what was happening in England at the time they were being written, and show how Sayers incorporated so much of her surroundings into these stories.

If you're not a Wimsey fan, then there is probably little point in reading this book. Although it is well-written, most of its meaning will probably be lost.

More than most popular mystery sleuths, Lord Peter Wimsey was a man (and a character) who belonged to a specific era. When the hopeful optimism and sense of promise of the 1920s and early 30s were overshadowed by crisis after crisis and the growing specter of war, Lord Peter became a fish out of water, and so faded into well-deserved retirement.

So argue the authors of this fascinating book -- one that any Wimsey fan, or fan of English mysteries generally, should find most rewarding. There's actually quite a lot more to this title than the argument described above. It is, to various degrees, a biography of Dorothy L. Sayers, a dual biography of Lord Peter and Harriet Vane, a social history of England between the wars, an exercise in literary criticism, and an at-least-partial survey of the history of the mystery novel. That's a lot to pack into fewer than 250 pages, but the authors pull it off really well.

As befits a book with so much going on, there were several elements of it I found most interesting. These included the discussion of Lord Peter's development as a character and the difficulties Sayers had in plausibly marrying him off to Harriet; the impact of contemporary events on Sayers' fiction; and why (tied into that last item) Sayers didn't publish, or even work on, with one exception, any more Wimsey stories after 1936, even though he was still immensely popular.

One of the reasons Lord Peter was, and remains, so popular is that he is a well-rounded character, not simply a crime-solving machine like Sherlock Holmes (which, of course, hasn't affected Holmes' popularity either). I highly recommend "Conundrums for the Long Week-End" for anyone interested in understanding Lord Peter still further and recognizing how impressive Dorothy L. Sayers' accomplishment truly is.

(Which reminds me, if you want to know more about Lord Peter's era, I also strongly recommend The Long Week-End: A Social History of Great Britain 1918-1939 by Robert Graves and Alan Hodge, a book which obviously influenced McGregor and Lewis, up to and including their choice of title.)

I agree that fans of the Wimsey novels will enjoy this book most, but I also think those interested in the period between the world wars, as well as those who like good biography will find much here. Mystery buffs who haven't read Sayers may find this book provides the motivation to do so. I particularly enjoyed the authors' discussion of how Sayers' Wimsey differs from Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and the reasons for these differences. It should also be noted that this book was just nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for a 2001 Edgar Award in the category of biography and literary criticism.

This is an interesting and well written guidebook. It was mentioned on NPR I think once and it was well deserved. Finally a guidebook for active but not agile among us. A must have for any trip to Scotland.

The Creaky Traveler In The North West Highlands Of Scotland by experienced world traveler Warren Rovetch is a personal memoir and engaging travelogue of Britain's coastal wilderness. Penned with insight, charm, and vibrant impressions of culture, natural beauty, and the unique feel of the land itself, The Creaky Traveler is a very highly recommended, expressive, and readable Scottish Highlands guide for vacationers and armchair travelers alike.

Yes this is a travel book with advice on how to get there and what to see, but really it is a book about our nature in seeking the unusual by seeing the common in a new way. It also happens to be just plain good writing-- a joy to read and to savor, like the travels in the wilds of Scotland that the book describes.

THE CREAKY TRAVELER provides an amazing amount of detail (including maps) about a small part of the northwest highlands of Scotland. Mr Rovetch has a friendly and somewhat avuncular writing style which verges on the pedantic at times. He obviously kept a diary of his travels from which this text has been extracted (the minutia could only be recorded not remembered). I found some of the detail annoying for "armchair travel" but useful for objectively planning road travel in remote Scotland. After using it to plan a trip,THE CREAKY TRAVELER is the sort of book one reads a chapter a night on the road to scope out the next day's adventures.

Rovetch and his wife Gerda who prefers the sobriquet "G" are in their late sixties-early seventies and still mobile, though as he says "not agile." Although Rovetch provides helpful hints for "older" folks, younger adventurers may find many of the suggestions useful. I bought the book because I have been seriously contemplating visiting the highlands when I travel to the UK this summer. Rovetch has convinced me road travel is the only way to go, and road travel in northwest Scotland cannot be knocked out in a few days. Also, if you truly hope to "see" anything, high summer is probably not the very best time to go.

Rovetch suggests limiting the miles covered to under 20 per day given the condition of the roads (the path is narrow and the way is hard) and the joy of slowly savoring one of the world's most beautiful rural areas. Rovetch and G made their several week journey in May when the countryside was filled with new lambs and few tourists. The places they stayed were picturesque and relatively pricey. This is a good guide for the practical traveler.

BOOK REVIEW by Richard Desper of:
The Dark Side of Shakespeare: An Iron-fisted Romantic in England's Most Perilous Times
A trilogy by W. Ron Hess

When delving into the life of the putative poet/playwright "William Shakespeare", it may well be said (irony intended) that there is less to the man than meets the eye. Neither the background, qualifications, nor the historical record seem to support the historical William Shakspere as the Bard, and historical research leave us with a number of "lost years" unaccounted for in his life. Ron Hess has undertaken a somewhat parallel task - he has examined the facts about the 17th Earl of Oxford, most likely the actual identity of the author "William Shakespeare", and shows that there is much more to the man than meets the eye. Indeed, it would seem, if we believe Mr. Hess, that there is much more to the "Shakespeare enterprise" than we had ever imagined.
The "Shakespeare enterprise" is a key concept in Hess's book. In his own words, `... The real question of importance should first be, "WHAT was Shake-spear?"` In the First Folio, Ben Jonson calls Shakespeare "Soule of the Age! ... Thou art a moniment (sic) without a tomb!" suggesting Shakespeare's purpose, that of defining the character and tone of an age. The written works are only part of a larger project, with Oxford playing an international role embodying a mythical hero, the "Palladin of England", which Hess identifies (through Greek etymology) with Pallas Athena as the "Spear-Shaker". Hess identifies that project with a long-term alliance involving the earls of Sussex, Oxford, and Pembroke, along with Lord Hunsdon and Lord Effingham, all with key roles at Court and in the London stage. According to Hess, beginning in the 1570's, `The alliance controlled the public and semi-public stages, but I argue that the private homes of those in the alliance were where the "Shakespeare" plays each were "originated".' The alliance used stage plays as a public relations part of its efforts for promoting its desired goals, both in the earlier period when the author was anonymous and later on when the pseudonym "Shakespeare" was introduced.
Mr. Hess's book abounds with notes, appendices, references, and a bibliography which attest to the extensive research involved in its preparation, a level of research which would seem to be unmatched by orthodox Shakespeare scholars. He speaks with logic and clarity, as when he debunks the orthodox "voice of authority" in such matters as the dating of the plays. He deftly skewers their inconsistent logic, for instance, as to what standards are to be accepted or disdained as it suits their purposes in one instance vs. another. His writing style exudes candor, freshness, and openness - he works by presenting the evidence, offering alternate interpretations (including his own, of course), and inviting the readers to draw their own conclusions. And for those who have found his speaking style entertaining, this has translated into his written work as well, resulting in a colorful presentation, which abounds in Hess's rich personal literary images.
Hess dwells extensively on Oxford's possible role in international intrigue, juxtaposed in the 1570's against Don Juan of Austria, natural half- brother to the King of Spain and the great military leader of the day, a role perhaps not as far-fetched as it might seem at first glance. It has long been noted that the "Shakespeare" plays abound with topical references dated to that decade, including allusions to Don Juan. To what extent Oxford was an active player abroad in these intrigues remains to be clarified, but it is clear that he was an active player where it counted a great deal - in molding opinion first at Court, then in the world at large. For perception, image, whatever one might call it, counted a great deal in those days, even as it does today.

BOOK REVIEW by Richard Desper of:
The Dark Side of Shakespeare: An Iron-fisted Romantic in England's Most Perilous Times*
A trilogy by W. Ron Hess

When delving into the life of the putative poet/playwright "William Shakespeare", it may well be said (irony intended) that there is less to the man than meets the eye. Neither the background, qualifications, nor the historical record seem to support the historical William Shakspere as the Bard, and historical research leave us with a number of "lost years" unaccounted for in his life. Ron Hess has undertaken a somewhat parallel task - he has examined the facts about the 17th Earl of Oxford, most likely the actual identity of the author "William Shakespeare", and shows that there is much more to the man than meets the eye. Indeed, it would seem, if we believe Mr. Hess, that there is much more to the "Shakespeare enterprise" than we had ever imagined.
The "Shakespeare enterprise" is a key concept in Hess's book. In his own words, `... The real question of importance should first be, "WHAT was Shake-spear?"` In the First Folio, Ben Jonson calls Shakespeare "Soule of the Age! ... Thou art a moniment (sic) without a tomb!" suggesting Shakespeare's purpose, that of defining the character and tone of an age. The written works are only part of a larger project, with Oxford playing an international role embodying a mythical hero, the "Palladin of England", which Hess identifies (through Greek etymology) with Pallas Athena as the "Spear-Shaker". Hess identifies that project with a long-term alliance involving the earls of Sussex, Oxford, and Pembroke, along with Lord Hunsdon and Lord Effingham, all with key roles at Court and in the London stage. According to Hess, beginning in the 1570's, `The alliance controlled the public and semi-public stages, but I argue that the private homes of those in the alliance were where the "Shakespeare" plays each were "originated".' The alliance used stage plays as a public relations part of its efforts for promoting its desired goals, both in the earlier period when the author was anonymous and later on when the pseudonym "Shakespeare" was introduced.
Mr. Hess's book abounds with notes, appendices, references, and a bibliography which attest to the extensive research involved in its preparation, a level of research which would seem to be unmatched by orthodox Shakespeare scholars. He speaks with logic and clarity, as when he debunks the orthodox "voice of authority" in such matters as the dating of the plays. He deftly skewers their inconsistent logic, for instance, as to what standards are to be accepted or disdained as it suits their purposes in one instance vs. another. His writing style exudes candor, freshness, and openness - he works by presenting the evidence, offering alternate interpretations (including his own, of course), and inviting the readers to draw their own conclusions. And for those who have found his speaking style entertaining, this has translated into his written work as well, resulting in a colorful presentation, which abounds in Hess's rich personal literary images.
Hess dwells extensively on Oxford's possible role in international intrigue, juxtaposed in the 1570's against Don Juan of Austria, natural half- brother to the King of Spain and the great military leader of the day, a role perhaps not as far-fetched as it might seem at first glance. It has long been noted that the "Shakespeare" plays abound with topical references dated to that decade, including allusions to Don Juan. To what extent Oxford was an active player abroad in these intrigues remains to be clarified, but it is clear that he was an active player where it counted a great deal - in molding opinion first at Court, then in the world at large. For perception, image, whatever one might call it, counted a great deal in those days, even as it does today.

Ron Hess has written a fascinating, entertaining, and well-researched account of the 17th Earl of Oxford's part in Scottish, English, European, and even Asian politics during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. He begins the "Shakespearean period" in the 1570s, with almost all of the plays having an "origination date" within a twelve-year span of 1574-86.

The most intriguing of Hess' theories, however, is the role played by Don Juan of Austria (natural half-brother of Philip II of Spain) in Oxford-Shakespeare's horizon. The author shows the Earl to have been a veritable "Scarlet Pimpernel" -- at Court a fop with Italianate tastes, an effete but gifted poet and writer of Euphuistic comedies, skilled in the aristocratic sports (fencing, jousting, falconry, tennis), respected for his erudition, and loved by women as well as by a grateful coterie of actors, poets, and writers, whom he subsidized (or commissioned for darker tasks!).

Oxford's "dark side," however, can be seen in a secret life of spying, intriguing, plotting, smuggling, gun-running (to Protestants abroad), and possibly even assassinating! The butt of all these activities, Hess believes, was the Earl's "alter ego," the Don Juan of Austria mentioned above (for whose 1578 death Hess holds Oxford responsible).

Only time and further research will tell if Hess' conjectures upon the evidence prove out. If even half of them do, we are in for a radical "paradigm shift," equal to Looney's in 1920. Certainly, Hess buttresses his argument with good scholarship and wide reading. He cites a truly staggering roster of resources: historical, political, and literary -- both Stratfordian and Oxfordian (the latter including not only the usual Looney, Ward, and the Ogburns, but such almost forgotten ones as E.T. Clark and H.H. Holland, and newer ones like Stritmatter, Brazil, Moore, Davis, and many more.

Not all Oxfordians (including myself) will agree with some of Hess' conclusions, particularly his views on the Sonnets. Hess produces no tangible evidence for adoption and use of David Honneyman's theory that early versions of these poems were translations from the French Huguenot poet D'Aubigny. But he does contrast various alternative theories, including those of Leslie Hotson, Joe Sobran, and most recently the intriguing theory by Sidney Lubow that the key to the Sonnets lies in Lover's Complaint and the ancient myth of "Narcissus." In the end, Hess is less interested in the Sonnets' meaning than in how they may offer up clues for dating Shakespeare's works to the 1570s and 80s, as more ammunition for knocking-out Mr. Shakspere's insufficient candidacy.

It's a pity the advanced copy Hess shared with me was poorly edited. Still, he assures me the published final available from..., ..., and www.Amazon.com will have been purged of the typos, graphical, grammatical, and even factual errors that I observed.

But, even if we can't agree with him totally, Hess is not to be easily dismissed. Better yet, The Dark Side of Shakespeare is simply an exciting read. Stratfordians will hate it of course, but Hess proves that their opinions simply don't count anymore!

BOOK REVIEW by Richard Desper of:
The Dark Side of Shakespeare: An Iron-fisted Romantic in England's Most Perilous Times
A trilogy by W. Ron Hess

When delving into the life of the putative poet/playwright "William Shakespeare", it may well be said (irony intended) that there is less to the man than meets the eye. Neither the background, qualifications, nor the historical record seem to support the historical William Shakspere as the Bard, and historical research leave us with a number of "lost years" unaccounted for in his life. Ron Hess has undertaken a somewhat parallel task - he has examined the facts about the 17th Earl of Oxford, most likely the actual identity of the author "William Shakespeare", and shows that there is much more to the man than meets the eye. Indeed, it would seem, if we believe Mr. Hess, that there is much more to the "Shakespeare enterprise" than we had ever imagined.
The "Shakespeare enterprise" is a key concept in Hess's book. In his own words, `... The real question of importance should first be, "WHAT was Shake-spear?"` In the First Folio, Ben Jonson calls Shakespeare "Soule of the Age! ... Thou art a moniment (sic) without a tomb!" suggesting Shakespeare's purpose, that of defining the character and tone of an age. The written works are only part of a larger project, with Oxford playing an international role embodying a mythical hero, the "Palladin of England", which Hess identifies (through Greek etymology) with Pallas Athena as the "Spear-Shaker". Hess identifies that project with a long-term alliance involving the earls of Sussex, Oxford, and Pembroke, along with Lord Hunsdon and Lord Effingham, all with key roles at Court and in the London stage. According to Hess, beginning in the 1570's, `The alliance controlled the public and semi-public stages, but I argue that the private homes of those in the alliance were where the "Shakespeare" plays each were "originated".' The alliance used stage plays as a public relations part of its efforts for promoting its desired goals, both in the earlier period when the author was anonymous and later on when the pseudonym "Shakespeare" was introduced.
Mr. Hess's book abounds with notes, appendices, references, and a bibliography which attest to the extensive research involved in its preparation, a level of research which would seem to be unmatched by orthodox Shakespeare scholars. He speaks with logic and clarity, as when he debunks the orthodox "voice of authority" in such matters as the dating of the plays. He deftly skewers their inconsistent logic, for instance, as to what standards are to be accepted or disdained as it suits their purposes in one instance vs. another. His writing style exudes candor, freshness, and openness - he works by presenting the evidence, offering alternate interpretations (including his own, of course), and inviting the readers to draw their own conclusions. And for those who have found his speaking style entertaining, this has translated into his written work as well, resulting in a colorful presentation, which abounds in Hess's rich personal literary images.
Hess dwells extensively on Oxford's possible role in international intrigue, juxtaposed in the 1570's against Don Juan of Austria, natural half- brother to the King of Spain and the great military leader of the day, a role perhaps not as far-fetched as it might seem at first glance. It has long been noted that the "Shakespeare" plays abound with topical references dated to that decade, including allusions to Don Juan. To what extent Oxford was an active player abroad in these intrigues remains to be clarified, but it is clear that he was an active player where it counted a great deal - in molding opinion first at Court, then in the world at large. For perception, image, whatever one might call it, counted a great deal in those days, even as it does today.