Reviews: (by author)

The Usborne World of Shakespeare. London: Usborne, 2001. $9.95. ISBN 07945-0014-5. Large quality trade book, winner of the Times Educational Supplement Information Book Award. With over 50 Internet links.

Simply the best, by far, collection of information and illustration and photography having to do with Shakespeare’s plays, his life, his influence, and much more all appealing presented in inviting layouts—and linked to Usborne’s exceptional web site. Sidebars add facts and anecdotes; insets present original text and interpretations I was pleased to see so many pictures of Derek Jacobi; Judi Densch, Ian Holmes, John Gielgud, Anthony Hopkins, and Josey Wales are recognizable, too, as are many others dressed up as one character or another.

I would recommend this fascinating, substantial book to any teacher—if possible as a purchase for each student. It’s that good. The presentation and usefulness of the many available adaptations of Shakespeare are reviewed in early posting on our web site here, for readers who are interested in Shakespeare in the 21st century; these adaptations have become a special interest of mine. This particular fact book contains a very useful section on producing a Shakespeare play and an introduction to the theater of Shakespeare’s time, along with glossaries, dates, and other web sites. Of the many books I’ve read, I find this one to be outstanding.

Highly recommended
A. Allison, October 2004

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