Shakespeare - Hardcover

Bryson, Bill

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0061965324 ISBN 13: 9780061965326

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2009

Synopsis

Shakespeare: The Illustrated Edition is an exquisitely illustrated, updated edition of Bill Bryson's bestselling biography of William Shakespeare that takes the reader on an enthralling tour through Elizabethan England and the eccentricities of Shakespearean scholarship. With more than 100 color and black-and-white illustrations throughout, and updated to include recent discoveries, Shakespeare: The Illustrated Edition evokes the superstitions, academic discoveries, and myths surrounding the life of one of the greatest poets, and makes sense of the man behind the masterpieces.

About this title

Review:

'A brilliantly funny and gently insightful travel guide to 16th century England. As an abbreviated tour around the world of Shakespeare, this could hardly be bettered.' Sunday Times

'Bryson is shrewd...and as funny as you'd expect...he sets down all the important bits of evidence, and assesses them in a measured scholarly way. He's good value too.' Daily Telegraph

'Measured, sensible and, at times, as wryly humorous as you'd expect.' The Times

'Fast paced jaunt through Bardolatry...wittily evokes Elizabethan England.' Sunday Times

'A work worthy of one of the greatest writers in the English language.' Daily Express

'Bryson uses an inimitably light touch and squeezes a vast subject down to manageable proportions...he is a warm and funny guide through the whole complicated morass of Shakespearean scholarship.' Financial Times

From the Back Cover:

Bill Bryson's Shakespeare pairs one of history's most celebrated writers with one of the most popular writers in the English language today. In this elegant, updated, illustrated edition, the superstitions, academic discoveries and myths surrounding the life of one of the world's greatest poets are evoked through a series of full-color paintings, drawings, portraits, documents and photographs. Bryson also discusses the recent discoveries of the Cobbe portrait and the remains of Shakespeare's first theatre in Shoreditch.

The centuries of mysteries, half-truths and downright lies about Shakespeare are deftly explored, as Bryson draws a picture that includes many aspects of the poet's life, making sense of the man behind the masterpieces. In a journey down the streets of Shakespeare's time, Bryson brings to life the hubbub of Elizabethan England and delights in details of his folios and quartos, poetry and plays. He celebrates the glory of Shakespeare's language and his ceaseless inventiveness, which gave us hundreds of now indispensable phrases, images and words.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0061965324
• ISBN 13: 9780061965326
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256